Abstract: A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a test tube includes a pump and a cannula assembly housed partially within the pump including a fluid transfer cannula and a vent cannula. Biological fluid or other fluid can be both collected and delivered with the apparatus, which apparatus may remain attached to the test tube during any processing of the collected biological fluid sample.

Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for attaching one or more pump mechanisms to a like number of sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support attached to the frame for releasably supporting one or more pump mechanisms, a test tube holder for releasably holding one or more test tubes, the holder movably engaging and being displaceable on the base of the frame into position in alignment with the support, and a manually operated insertion mechanism, attached to the frame, for displacing the support towards the holder (with test tubes therein), to puncture the closure of a test tube with a pump mechanism. Using the apparatus includes placing one or more test tubes having closures into the holder, displacing the holder into position, placing one or more pump mechanisms in the support, and manually activating the insertion mechanism to puncture the one or more closures with the one or more pump mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved gel formulation and method for high-voltage, short duration electrophoretic separation of isoforms of CK isoenzymes. The gel is an homogeneous mixture of agarose and a buffer having a molarity of about 0.05M. CK-MM and/or CK-MB isoforms are electrophoretically separated.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted to provide electrophoresis current sheets in opposite longitudinal directions of an electrophoresis plate is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to work with an existing automatic electrophoresis machine which performs all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions automatically under computer control. The apparatus of the invention re-routes the normal polarity of electrodes of the automatic electrophoresis machine into a configuration such that a center electrode bar has positive electric potential applied to it and two end electrodes have negative electrical potential applied to them.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a liquid is provided which is adapted to be attached to a container such as a test tube and includes a hollow resilient dispensing member having a nipple at one end through which a liquid is dispensed in a dropwise manner. The dispensing member is formed of a resilient material which enables liquid to be dispensed therethrough by squeezing the sides of the dispensing member. In a modification, the dispensing member is provided with an internal filter by which fluid can be conveniently filtered as it is dispensed. A method for dispensing a liquid from a container using the apparatus of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An improvement in the immunofixation electrophoresis procedure for detecting proteins in serum, urine or cerebral spinal fluids. Samples are placed on a gel and subjected to electrophoresis for resolving or separating proteins. Thereafter, antisera are applied to the sample areas to cause an antibody-antigen precipitation reaction if the specific proteins are present. The invention includes the provision of a control system for each electrophoretic gel to verify that the antisera have retained their lability, i.e., the ability to react.

Abstract: A pipette pump for pipetting fluid includes an elongated hollow barrel and a pump mechanism at one end of the barrel. The pump mechanism includes a compressible portion which is actuated to fill the pipette barrel. Thereafter, the pipette barrel is vented to the atmosphere to bypass the pump mechanism such that the fluid in the pipette barrel is discharged by gravitational forces and atmospheric pressure rather than by actuation of the compressible portion of the pump mechanism. The pipette barrel may be repeatedly vented to discharge the contents of the pipette in a series of aliquots. The pump mechanism, when compresssed and not bypassed, provides rapid, positive displacement discharge of the contents of the pipette.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents.

Abstract: A thermally conductive, electrically insulating interface adapted to be interposed between the heat conductive metal floor of an electrophoresis chamber and an electrophoresis plate for conducting heat from the plate to the chamber floor. The interface is preferably silicone or a silicone base, and demonstrates a preferential affinity to the electrophoresis plate. Optionally a support layer or backing layer may be included as part of the interface member.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container for protecting an electrophoresis plate during shipment and storage, the electrophoresis plate being the type including a substrate having a major surface and a gel layer adhered to a portion of the major surface with the substrate including a peripheral portion free of the gel layer. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are sealingly engageable with one another. The top and bottom portions have cooperating projections such that the top and bottom may be interlocked together. The gel layer substrate includes alignment apertures and the container includes alignment sockets in the bottom portion and locking pins in the top portion. The alignment sockets extend through the alignment apertures in the electrophoresis plate and has locking pins engage the alignment sockets to further secure the electrophoresis plate against movement.

Abstract: A diagnostic kit is disclosed for the detection of hemoglobin, myoglobin, ferritin, or the like substances having peroxidase-like activity in different mixtures of biological origin, such as fecal blood in toilet bowl, occult blood in the breath of internally bleeding horses, or myoglobin in the urine of severely muscle damaged victims. The kit includes, in an air, moisture, and light proof package, an inert water insoluble matrix, such as a sheet of paper, which has an area where a chemical composition containing a water soluble polymer, or polymers, is deposited in at least two separate steps of thin film coating, for the detection of the above substances. The composition further includes one or more oxygen donors, one or more organic peroxides or other suitable oxidizing agents, and a leuco-dye which gives a colored oxidation product when it is oxidized by the oxidizing agents with the hemoglobin or like substance acting as the catalyst.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing pump mechanisms to test tubes sealed by a closure such that the contents of the test tubes may be discharged without removing the closure. The apparatus includes a rack for holding a plurality of pump mechanisms, each of the pump mechanisms including a downwardly extending needle or the like for penetrating the closure of the test tube. The test tubes are arranged within a tray in a plurality of rows, and each row is sequentially advanced into position. As each row is in position, the pump mechanism is moved toward the row of test tubes to penetrate the test tube closures. The pump mechanisms thereafter released, the rack filled with a next series of pump mechanisms, the test tube array indexed, and the cycle of steps is repeated. The pump mechanism needles are initially imbedded in a protective packaging. The apparatus strips away the protective packaging to expose the sharpened points or tips of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel container for protecting an electrophoresis plate during shipment and storage, the electrophoresis plate being the type including a substrate having a major surface and a gel layer adhered to a portion of the major surface with the substrate including a peripheral portion free of the gel layer. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are sealingly engageable with one another. The top and bottom portions have cooperating projections such that the top and bottom may be interlocked together. The gel layer substrate includes alignment apertures and the container includes alignment sockets in the bottom portion and locking pins in the top portion. The alignment sockets extend through the alignment apertures in the electrophoresis plate and the locking pins engage the alignment sockets to further secure the electrophoresis plate against movement.

Abstract: An improved electrophoresis plate of the type including a base layer of an electrophoretic medium and opposed thickened ends made of an electrophoretic medium containing a desired fluid, such as a buffer material or solvent. The thickened ends function as a self-contained reservoirs during electrophoresis. The thickened ends of the present invention divert water generated by electroendosmosis or gel melt away from the electrophoresis area. This may be accomplished by providing a hollow region within the thickened ends which holds the water generated. Alternatively, serrations on the edges of the plate, or on the edges of the thickened ends of the plate which are disposed away from the electrophoresis area, may be provided to act as a path by which the water generated can flow away from the electrophoresis area.

Abstract: An analyzer system for automatic column chromatography, and method for its use, includes an array of chromatograph columns and multi-cell cuvettes associated with each column. Chromatographic separation takes place under a constant, low fluid pressure. A pressure system distributes air to each column during chromatographic separation but prevents leakage of air if the column array is partially empty. The multi-cell cuvette collects and separates the eluates associated with a single column. The system provides for automatic removal of caps from the bottoms of the chromatograph columns and provides for automatic optical density reading.

Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current to the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading fluorescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. Mechanical aligning apparatus is provided for precisely aligning pipettes with application wells on the sample strip. Electrode bars and reagent spreader bars are provided to apply electrophoresing current to the strip and to spread reagent dumped onto the strip after electrophoresis. Circular indentations as well as rectangular indentations are provided as application wells on the sample strip.

Abstract: An electrophoresis plate of the type including a base layer of an electrophoretic medium containing some buffer material and a method of making such an electrophoresis plate. On the base layer of the plate there are formed buffer blocks made up of an electrophoretic medium having a lower electroendosmotic potential than that of the base layer. The buffer blocks contain buffer material for functioning as a self-contained reservoir during electrophoresis. The method of the present invention includes continuous casting of the buffer blocks and also includes casting the buffer blocks as a sequence of discrete layers.

Abstract: A guaiac reagent-based diagnostic aid for determining the presence of occult blood in an aqueous system contains a micron-sized silica gel into which a guaiac solution has been adsorbed. The guaiac-containing carrier is contacted with a dry, particulate, oxidizing agent, such as a monopersulfate compound, to form a single composition. This composition can be packaged in a water-pervious sandwich. Upon contact with water, the oxidizing agent is activated to produce hydrogen peroxide, which in the presence of occult blood will oxidize the adsorbed guaiac to a brilliant blue reaction product.

Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus particularly useful for urine samples is disclosed the apparatus includes a container or beaker and a screw on self-locking top that cannot be removed without damage either to the top or the beaker.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid is adapted to be attached to a container such as a test tube. The apparatus includes a hollow, resilient, flexible dispenser having a bore therethrough. One end of the dispenser is attached to the test tube, and the opposite end of the dispenser includes a nozzle apparatus having external and internal nozzle portions and a reverse-taper bore therethrough, i.e., a bore having a diameter which decreases from the external nozzle portion to the internal nozzle portion, the reverse-taper bore being in communication with the interior of the hollow, resilient dispenser.