Abstract: An improved electrophoresis plate and method of making same includes a plate having an inert substrate and an electrophoretic medium formed on the substrate. The electrophoretic medium includes, as a part thereof, buffer blocks or buffer reservoirs, more specifically, relatively thick deposits of the electrophoretic medium. The electrophoretic medium buffer is positioned in a predetermined location relative to alignment apertures in the substrate.The method of making the electrophoresis plate of the present invention includes priming the substrate with electrophoretic medium and thereafter forming, such as by casting or molding, the electrophoretic medium with the buffer blocks on the primed substrate.

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 flourescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. A T.V. camera, mounted to a flourescent scanning box enlosing the application plate, in cooperation with digital processing equipment, electronically scans electrophoresically longitudinally displaced components of the samples for determining relative component densities. An alternative scanning apparatus including a collimator and photomultiplier is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automatic pipetting apparatus is disclosed having a base on which is mounted a vertical frame supporting a row of positive displacement pipettes which are driven in the up or down direction by an electromechanical mechanism under microprocessor controls. The apparatus includes a base, a track and a carriage longitudinally movable beneath the row of pipettes. The carriage includes an independent translating and position signal generation mechanism. The carriage carries a tray which includes sample chambers, a space to receive a microporous electrophoresis support medium, such as a cellulose acetate strip, a wash well, rinse well and a space to receive blotting paper. The pipettes include a barrel and a plunger capable of aspirating and dispensing from 0.5 to 5 .mu.l of liquid. The barrels move up and down with respect to the base by means of another independent translating and signal generating mechanism.

Abstract: An electrophoretic support medium and method of making the same are disclosed for use in the analysis of ionizable compounds to be made by subjecting a sample to an electrical potential. The electrophoretic support medium includes a base sheet having at least one negative electrode and at least one positive electrode deposited thereon in a predetermined pattern. A layer of an electrophoretic gel is adhered to the surface of the base sheet, whereby the electrodes are disposed between the base sheet and the electrophoretic gel layer with the electrodes being in electrical contact with the electrophoretic gel layer. In addition, the electrophoretic gel layer may include a plurality of sample wells formed therein in which a sample to be analyzed may be placed. The method includes depositing the electrodes onto the base sheet before adhering the gel layer thereto.

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 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 ot the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading flourescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. A T.V. camera, mounted to a flourescent scanning box enclosing the application plate, in cooperation with digital processing equipment, electronically scans electrophoresically longitudinally displaced components of the samples for determining relative component densities. An alternative scanning apparatus including a collimator and photomultiplier is also disclosed.

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

Abstract: A container for protecting and enclosing an electrophoretic support medium is disclosed. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion, which when closed sealingly engage one another to form a substantially air-tight cavity therein. The bottom portion has a recess formed therein for accommodating the support medium and at least a portion of the recess has a substantially smooth planar surface. The bottom recess is defined by a protruding continuous rim which has a plurality of nubs protruding into said recess and engagable with the base sheet of the support medium, whereby the support medium is retained within the recess.

Abstract: A container for protecting and enclosing an electrophoretic support medium is disclosed. The container includes a first portion and a second portion slidingly engageable with one another, whereby when closed they sealingly engage one another to form a substantially air-tight cavity therein. The first portion has a first recess defined by a protruding rim for accommodating a portion of the support medium therein. The second portion has a second recess defined by a protruding rim for accommodating the remainder of the support medium therein. The protruding rims are spaced apart from the bottoms of each portion and engagable with the base sheet of the support medium, whereby the support medium is retained within the recesses between the rims and the bottoms. The bottoms each have a substantially smooth planar surface to facilitate secure retention of the support medium.

Abstract: A test kit for determining the presence of occult blood is disclosed which includes an improved monitor system having a reagent test area including a metal salt with an oxidation potential sufficient to catalyze a chromogen reaction in the guaiac impregnated paper when exposed to a peroxide developing solution. A peroxidase inactivating test area is provided for verifying the effectiveness of a peroxidase inactivating solution comprising guanidine hydrochloride and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. An improved method of testing occult blood is also disclosed wherein a peroxidase inactivating solution is applied to a monitor and a sample area just prior to application of the developing solution.

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

Abstract: A system for determining zinc protoporphyrin levels in whole blood using hematofluorometry without the need for oxygenation of the hemoglobin by derivatizing the hemoglobin to form a new compound having essentially the same spectral properties as oxygenated hemoglobin. A preferred reagent includes cyanide as the active ingredient.

Abstract: A test pad having a water activated reagent and a water activated peroxygen compound which undergo a chromogen reaction in an aqueous solution including hemoglobin. The reagent is potassium guaiacolsulfonate, a guaiac substitute material. The peroxygen compound is a monopersulfonate compound comprised of two moles of potassium monopersulfonate, one mole of potassium hydrogen sulfate and one mole of potassium sulfate. The test pad features a test area containing the above materials in powdered form and may also include controls for checking the results of the test. A method for using the test pad is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diagnostic densitometer for scanning a blood sample to automatically determine serum protein fractions and to provide an analog trace indicative of the serum protein fractions. The analog trace is edited by the operator of the densitometer and additional data is provided by the operator of the densitometer. Thereafter, the densitometer evaluates the edited analog trace and the additional data and compares them to an internal data base to interpret the same and provides a preliminary medical diagnosis.

Abstract: A container for protecting and enclosing an electrophoretic support medium. The container includes a top portion and a bottom portion, which when closed sealingly engage one another. The bottom portion has a recess formed therein for accommodating the support medium and at least a portion of the recess has a substantially smooth planar surface. A liquid disposed between and in contact with the planar surface of the bottom portion and the support medium provides sufficient contact adhesion to securely retain the support medium within the recess.

Abstract: A computer controlled diagnostic densitometer for analyzing optical density patterns of blood samples or the like scans a sample and generates an analog waveform signal representative of the scanned optical density pattern. The analog signal is amplified, digitized, stored in a memory and is later read from memory to reconstruct a visual display of the waveform for analysis. Several types of optical density pattens may be scanned which result in analog signals of different amplitudes and signal-to-background noise ratios. An improved amplification system automatically preadjusts the gain and reference value of the analog signal prior to digitization in order to substantially eliminate background noise in the signal and produce substantially full scale analog signal values. The gain and reference value preadjustments are performed by a pair of corresponding multipliers which multiply the analog signal by memory-stored digital data which is unique to the type of optical density pattern being scanned.

Abstract: A method of optically scanning a plurality of optical density patterns, such as blood samples or the like is provided wherein the samples are arranged in rows and each include a plurality of optical density segments extending along a first axis, and wherein the segments generally form columns of like segments along a second axis. The optical densities of a row of segments are first scanned along the first axis, following which the centerlines of each segment in the scanned row is determined along the first axis. Then, the segments of each column are scanned along the corresponding, previously determined centerline. The centerline of each segment is determined by displacing a scanning head relative to the sample along the first axis, measuring the optical density of each segment and correlating the magnitude of the measured optical density with the relative displacement between the head and the samples.

Abstract: A test kit for preparing a chemical test pad used in testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen. The test kit is a foil package enclosing an absorbant pad bearing a peroxygen agent and a solution of guaiac in alcohol in a separate packet or compartment from the absorbant pad. The separate packet or compartment being rupturable by applying hand pressure to the outside of the foil package to mix the peroxygen agent powder on the test pad and the guaiac solution prior to removing the absorbant pad from the foil package. The method relates to performing a medical test by activating a test pad bearing one reagent by applying another reagent thereto while remaining wholly within a protective foil package. According to the method a test pad containing the peroxygen agent is wetted with a solution of guaiac in alcohol prior to removal from the protective foil package and exposure to a specimen of fecal material and water in a test for occult blood.

Abstract: A test kit for preparing a chemical test pad used in testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen. The test kit is a foil package enclosing an absorbant pad bearing a peroxygen agent and a solution of guaiac in alcohol in a separate packet or compartment from the absorbant pad. The separate packet or compartment being rupturable by applying hand pressure to the outside of the foil package to mix the peroxygen agent powder on the test pad and the guaiac solution prior to removing the absorbant pad from the foil package. The method relates to performing a medical test by activating a test pad bearing one reagent by applying another reagent thereto while remaining wholly within a protective foil package. According to the method a test pad containing the peroxygen agent is wetted with a solution of guaiac in alcohol prior to removal from the protective foil package and exposure to a specimen of fecal material and water in a test for occult blood.

Abstract: A test pad having a water activated reagent and a water activated peroxygen compound which undergo a chromogen reaction in an aqueous solution including hemoglobin. The reagent is potassium guaiacolsulfonate, a guaiac substitute material. The peroxygen compound is a monopersulfonate compound comprised of two moles of potassium monopersulfonate, one mole of potassium hydrogen sulfate and one mole of potassium sulfate. The test pad features a test area containing the above materials in powdered form and may also include controls for checking the results of the test. A method for using the test pad is also disclosed.