Abstract: An improved electro-optical detection system is disclosed capable of use in a fluorescent polarization instrument. In a single or dual channel system, an integrated photodetector/amplifier is combined with a linear charge-balancing voltage-to-frequency converter to produce a digital frequency indicative of the intensity of polarized fluorescence emmited by a chemically treated body fluid sample, such as blood, upon light excitation thereof. A chopper-stabilized amplifier is further connected to the input of the voltage-to-frequency converter for automatically correcting input offset currents and temperature drift. The digital frequency is counted and the data corresponding thereto is transferred via bus connection to a microcomputer for evaluation and display.

Abstract: A computer-aided monitoring system and associated technique is disclosed for automatically controlling the liquid level of a heated tank subjected to changing temperatures. A first voltage signal from a thermistor sensor mounted within the tank at a predetermined level is digitally converted to multi-bit data indicative of fluid level. A second voltage signal produced by a separate thermistor sensor attached to the tank is digitally encoded as an indication of tank temperature and used to address a look-up table of voltage threshold values stored in a read-only memory. Empirically determined to vary linearly as a function of tank temperature, the voltage threshold values addressed are compared with the digital level data to determine if the liquid flow to the tank should be discontinued via a central processing unit.

Abstract: A mixing device is disclosed for gently agitating the contents of one or more closed containers. The device includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers parallelly juxtaposed and adapted to rotate in an eccentric fashion about respective longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and inclined to the respective cylindrical axes of the rollers. A drive bar coupling interconnects the rollers and a drive motor so that the rollers rotate in the same direction and at the same speed thereby imparting a simultaneous rocking and rolling motion to the containers when placed in supporting contact with adjacent rollers.

Abstract: An electronic circuit which tracks an electrical signal to determine if the slope of the signal equals or exceeds a predetermined value in a predetermined time.