Abstract: A metering tip for use in a clinical analytical apparatus includes a tapered body having at least one interior stepped areas. Each of the stepped areas include a sharp diametrical edge for latching a fluid meniscus being dispensed from the tip and for reducing fluid oscillation during metering.

Abstract: A method for measuring the amount of fluid contained in a reaction vessel in a clinical analyzer includes the steps of adding a first aliquot of fluid to the reaction vessel and measuring the quantity of fluid contained therein. A second aliquot of fluid is then added to the reaction vessel and the quantity of fluid contained therein is also measured. Measurement of the two fluid quantities can occur with or without removal of the first aliquot in between measurements. In obtaining the two quantity measurements and comparing them against a standard, the effects of well geometry can be minimized. Preferably, a delta or ratio measurement is obtained between the first and second liquid volume measurements which can be compared against a standard so as to normalize apparent volume losses or gains due to reaction well dimensional variation. This approach enhances the analytical capability to detect true fluid delivery errors.

Abstract: An aqueous composition containing primers for opposing strands of human cytomegaloviral DNA and a second target DNA can be used in polymerase chain reaction to provide simultaneously rapid and efficient amplification and detection of those nucleic acids. The primers for each target DNA differ in length by no more than 5 nucleotides and have a Tm within the range of from about 65 to about 74° C., while the Tm's are within about 5° C. of each other. Such compositions are useful in diagnostic test kits and methods for amplification and detection of hCMV DNA and other target DNA's using multiple capture probes, in “multiplexing”. All of the capture probes have Tm's which are greater than 50° C. and are within 15° C. of each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for separating nucleic acids from other cellular debris, especially substances that carry a net positive charge at low pH, by electrophoresis under acid conditions. In the purification method of the present invention, nucleic acids are separated from proteins found in the same biological sample by applying the sample to an electrophesis gel and subjecting the sample to electrophoresis under acid conditions to separate the nucleic acids from the proteins. The optimum pH may differ for different sample types but can be readily determined by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the separation is performed at a pH of about 2 to about 4. More preferably, electrophoresis is carried out at a pH of 2.

Abstract: Evaporation control for a fluid supply, such as used in a clinical analyzer, can be provided by utilizing a straw-like insert which is disposed into a fluid-containing bottle. The straw provides an increased diffusion length or “stagnant” zone. The bottle can also be configured to effectively reduce evaporation in a similar manner by providing a narrowed diameter prior to the fluid retaining portion of the bottle and by increasing the distance between the top of the bottle and the top of the fluid surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for mixing a liquid within a disposable aspirating probe tip so that most of the liquid is forced to move past a transition zone between two different inside diameters to cause rotational mixing. The apparatus and method can be used to provide agglutination of blood, which in turn can be used for blood typing. The probe tip can comprise a single integral piece, or two separate portions. The transition zone can comprise a sharp demarcation between inside diameters, or a smooth one.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and kits for the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA is biological samples obtained from human subjects. The invention includes novel amplification primers and probes useful in the amplification of DNA derived from hepatitis C virus RNA, and kits and methods which incorporate the novel primers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for the simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in biological samples from human subjects.

Abstract: An assay element for analyzing a charged analyte employs an immobilized receptor and a material having a net charge which is the same as that of the analyte. In a preferred embodiment, the analyte is an aminoglycoside and the material is a polymer having a net positive charge.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for use in a clinical analyzer includes a frame having a plurality of vertically disposed reaction chambers in spaced relation, each of the reaction chambers being sized for retaining a volume of at least one fluid. The vessel further includes at least one gap region defined between at least one adjacent pair of reaction chambers for thermally affecting the fluid contents therein.

Abstract: The accurate determination of the presence of a fluid in a container is determined by assessing the difference in various pressure readings relative to a threshold value. The method distinguishes between actual aspiration of a fluid and aspiration of a film that can otherwise lead one to believe that fluid has been aspirated when it has not. The method is particularly useful in clinical analyzers such as automated enzyme immunoassay devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid primers and probes specific for organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and to their use in nucleic acid amplification methods for the detection and differentiation of such organisms in biological samples. The invention also relates to diagnostic kits for detecting and differentiating the various organisms comprising the MAC.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising novel reduced cortisol conjugates, methods for their preparation and use in immunoassays for cortisol. In another aspect, it relates to conjugates of reduced cortisol as immunogens or haptens for eliciting anti-cortisol or anti-reduced cortisol antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and kits for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus in biological samples from human subjects. Oligonucleotide reverse transcription primers for use in such methods and kits for detection of human immunodeficiency virus are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved methods for amplifying nucleic acids. The methods encompass a method for increasing the specificity of amplification of a target nucleic acid in an amplification reaction, where the reaction reagents include one or more oligonucleotide amplification primers specific to the target nucleic acid, a target nucleic acid, a nucleic acid polymerase, and one or more magnesium salts, by preparing a primer/carrier mixture comprising one or more oligonucleotide amplification primers and carrier nucleic acid, and contacting the primer/carrier admixture with target nucleic acid, one or more magnesium salts, and nucleic acid polymerase.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for extracting DNA from serum or plasma, comprising contacting serum or plasma with alkali to yield alkalinized serum or plasma, heating the alkalinized serum or plasma to a temperature ranging from about 100 to about 110° C. for a time ranging from about 5 to about 20 minutes, centrifuging the heated alkalinized serum or plasma to yield a DNA-containing supernatant, allowing the heated alkalinized serum or plasma to cool to room temperature, or about 25° C., and recovering the DNA-containing supernatant. Also disclosed are methods for detecting a DNA-containing microorganism in serum or plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the specificity of a specific binding assay by adding methyl orange to a coating solution in an amount sufficient for improving specificity of an immunoassay conducted using said coating. The present invention also relates to a method for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus is performed by, i) providing a solid phase comprising a coating solution comprising methyl orange and at least one first binding ligand for antibodies to hepatitis C virus; ii) contacting the solid phase with a sample that may contain antibodies to hepatitis C virus; iii) contacting the solid phase with at least one second binding ligand for antibodies to hepatitis C virus, said second ligand labelled directly or indirectly with a detectable group and iv) measuring the amount of the detectable group bound to the solid phase.

Abstract: There is described a method for the chemical modification of antibodies and/or antigens in order to minimise sample interference in immunoassays, an immunoassay method in which chemically modified antibodies and/or antigens are employed, the use of chemically modified antibodies and/or antigens in an immunoassay and a kit for assaying biological specimens which comprises the chemically modified antibodies and/or antigens.

Abstract: This invention relates to peptides and their preparation. The peptides each have a sequence that corresponds to the immunodominant region of the HIV-1 group O gp41 envelope protein. The sequence is characterized in that it does not correspond to any known naturally occurring group O sequence or variant. Furthermore, the peptide binds anti-HIV-1 group O antibodies. There are several uses for the peptides, including the detection of antibodies produced in response to HIV-1 group O infection. The peptides may also be incorporated in mosaics and expressed recombinantly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoassay for antibodies against an infectious agent. The present invention also relates to the use of the immunoassay and a kit for performing the immunoassay of the present invention. The immunoassay for antibodies against an infectious agent relates to a method comprising: i. incubating a sample suspected of containing said antibodies with immobilized antigen of the infectious agent and free labeled antigen of the infectious agent; ii. separating immobilized components from non-immobilized components; iii. incubating the immobilized components with further free labeled antigen of the infectious agent and removing non-immobilized components; and iv. determining the amount of labeled antigen immobilized, wherein the amount of label is indicative of the amount of said antibodies present in the sample.