Abstract: An analyzer system for automatic column chromatography includes chromatographic columns which are mounted in a rack. A drop removal mechanism system shakes the rack to transfer the last drop of eluate from the tip of a chromatographic column to a receptacle below the tip before the column is repositioned over another receptacle and another fluid or operation is introduced into the column. This prevents one eluate from contaminating another. The chromatographic column may have an upper end which is sealed by a foil member. During use, the foil member is ruptured by lowering a pressure cylinder with a seal-punching head against it. The pressure cylinder, which is part of the pressure tip unit, is then withdrawn so that fluid can be introduced into the column via the ruptured foil member. The pressure tip unit is then lowered into sealing engagement with the column so that pressure can be applied via a bore in the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus for a biochemical examination is provided having at least a pair of band-shaped conveying members, a portion of each of which proceeds over a predetermined distance in the same direction in a closely contacted state, and which convey a sample-supporting thin film while sandwiching it between the closely contacted portions, and a heat source which is provided in the vicinity of the closely contacted portions of the pair of band-shaped conveying members, and which maintains at a predetermined temperature the sample-supporting thin film sandwiched between the closely contacted portions. The sample-supporting thin film is conveyed from one side to the other side between the pair of band-shaped conveying members. On the other side, the sample-supporting thin film is supplied with the reagent, then caused to approach the heat source while being sandwiched between the band-shaped conveying members.

Abstract: A chemical test kit for determining the presence of occult blood in a stool specimen is disclosed which includes an improved monitor system for verifying the effectiveness of the chemicals used in the test. A method of testing for occult blood is also disclosed which method includes verifying the effectiveness of the chemicals utilized in the test.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thromboplastin extract including extracting a powdered thromboplastin source in an aqueous solution having a metal ion chelator, and separating the powder in solution into sedimented powder and supernatant thromboplastin extract is disclosed. The supernatant thromboplastin extract is mixed with calcium ions, and may be mixed with one or more of a stabilizer and a preservative, to prepare thromboplastin reagent.

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

Abstract: An analyzer system for automatic column chromatography includes chromatographic columns which are mounted in a rack. A drop removal mechanism system shakes the rack to transfer the last drop of eluate from the tip of a chromatographic column to a receptacle below the tip before the column is repositioned over another receptacle and another fluid or operation is introduced into the column. This prevents one eluate from contaminating another. The chromatographic column may have an upper end which is sealed by a foil member. During use, the foil member is ruptured by lowering a pressure cylinder with a seal-punching head against it. The pressure cylinder, which is part of the pressure tip unit, is then withdrawn so that fluid can be introduced into the column via the ruptured foil member. The pressure tip unit is then lowered into sealing engagement with the column so that pressure can be applied via a bore in the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: A test sheet for the determination of the presence of a substance having peroxidase-like activity in a throw-in-the-bowl fecal occult blood test, includes a specimen test area and a positive control area. The test area has deposited thereon a test ink having at least one oxygen donor reagent and a chromogen reagent capable of being oxidized by the oxygen donor in the presence of blood or a substance having peroxidase-like activity, to provide a visually observable change of color. The test ink also includes a water soluble polymer for immobilizing the chromogen and oxygen donor. The positive control area has deposited thereon the test ink and a substance having the peroxidase-like activity.

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: A method and apparatus for removing unreacted protein and unreacted antisera from a gel plate during immunofixation electrophoresis. The apparatus includes a pressure plate movable toward and away from a fixed base for exerting a desired force on the electrophoresis plate. A stop member limits the movement of the pressure plate toward the fixed base thus controlling the amount of pressure on the electrophoresis plate.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a sealed test tube includes a pump and a housing, the housing having a movable portion, and a cannula assembly mounted relative to the housing. Biological fluid is withdrawn from a patient and flows through the pump and housing into the interior of the sealed test tube. The pump is actuated initially to release a delivery conduit and to move the housing such that part of the cannula assembly pierces the test tube seal. The pump is thereafter actuated to pressurize the contents of the test tube such that aliquots may be dispensed through the cannula assembly and delivery tube.

Abstract: A test sheet for the determination of the presence of a substance having peroxidase-like activity in a throw-in-the-bowl fecal occult blood test, includes a specimen test area and a positive control area. The test area has deposited thereon a test ink having at least one oxygen donor reagent and a chromogen reagent capable of being oxidized by the oxygen donor in the presence of blood or a substance having peroxidase-like activity, to provide a visually observable change of color. The test ink also includes a water soluble polymer for immobilizing the chromogen and oxygen donor. The positive control area has deposited thereon the test ink and a substance having the peroxidase-like activity.

Abstract: A method of formulating a test ink for a fecal occult blood test product including the steps of: (a) providing at least one chromogen reagent in a first solution; (b) providing a moisture barrier which is a water-soluble polymer; (c) adding at least one oxygen donor reagent to the moisture barrier; (d) adding at least one color enhancer to the result of step (c) to thereby form a second solution; and (e) adding the second solution to the first solution.

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 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.