Abstract: A method of monitoring calibration of a spectrophotometric apparatus that includes one or more than one calibration algorithm for one or more than one analyte, involves measuring absorbance of a quality control material with the apparatus to obtain a measurement, calculating one or more than one value from the measurement using the one or more than one calibration algorithm, and comparing the one or more than one value with an assigned value given to the quality control material for each of the one or more than one analyte. The quality control material exhibits an absorbance spectrum having a negative slope for a continuous spectral segment from about 5 nm to about 200 nm in length, and the spectral segment includes a principal calibration wavelength for the one or more than one analyte. A reagentless method for determining the concentration of one or more than one analyte in a sample in a spectrophotometric apparatus having at least one primary calibration algorithm is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring calibration of a spectrophotometric apparatus having one or more than one calibration algorithm for one or more than one analyte. This method involves measuring an absorbance of a quality control material to obtain a measurement, calculating one or more than one concentration value from the measurement using the one or more than one calibration algorithm, and comparing the one or more than one concentration value with an assigned value given to the quality control material for each of the one or more than one analyte. The quality control material exhibits an absorbance spectra having a negative slope for a continuous spectral segment from about 5 nm to about 400 nm in length, or a wavelength therebetween. A reagentless method for determining the concentration of one or more than one analyte in a sample in a spectrophotometric apparatus containing one or more than one primary calibration algorithm is also provided.

Abstract: A sample tab for retaining a sample during spectroscopic analysis includes a base plate, a sample well, and a cover plate. The sample well may vary in size to accommodate different sample volumes, and the base of the sample well may be positioned above or below the plane of the base plate. The walls of the sample well may also include one, or more than one overflow opening for draining excess sample, and an overflow channel to retain the excess sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for monitoring degradation of Hb-based blood substitutes, in a sample. This method involves determining a concentration of met-Hb within the sample, by applying a calibration algorithm for met-Hb to an absorbance obtained from the sample at one or more than one wavelengths, and using the concentration of met-Hb, as a measurement of degradation of the Hb-based blood substitutes. Using this assay, a concentration of met-Hb that is equal to or greater than 3% may be used as an indicator of degradation of Hb. Alternatively, by obtaining samples over a period of time, the concentration of met-Hb and the concentration of Hb-based blood substitute may be determined in each of these samples, and an increase in the concentration of met-Hb over the period of time is an indicator of degradation of Hb.

Abstract: A sample lab for retaining a sample during spectrophorometric analysis includes a base plate, a sample well, and a cover plate. The sample tab may also include one, or more than one overflow opening for draining excess sample, and an overflow channel to retain the excess sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of monitoring calibration of a spectrophotometric apparatus that comprises one or more calibration algorithms for one or more analytes. This method comprises measuring absorbance of a quality control material with the apparatus to obtain a measurement, where the quality control material exhibits an absorbance spectra characterized as having a negative slope for a continuous spectral segment from about 5 nm to about 200 nm in length, and where the spectral segment includes a principal calibration wavelength for the one or more analytes. The method then involves calculating on or more concentration values from the measurement using the one or more calibration algorithms, followed by comparing the one or more concentration values with an assigned value given to the quality control material for each of the one or more analytes, and determining if there is a violation of a pre-established quality control rule.

Abstract: Described is a method for calibrating a spectrophotometric apparatus. This method involves obtaining a first set of absorbance measurements of a set of calibrators on a First Apparatus that is in control at wavelengths from a first wavelength calibration table. A second wavelength calibration table on a second apparatus is established, wherein the first and the second wavelength calibration tables may be the same or different. A second set of absorbance measurements of the set of calibrators is obtained on the Second Apparatus, at wavelengths from the second wavelength calibration table. First and second interpolated absorbances are determined, for the first and the second absorbance measurement, respectively, for at least one wavelength of a Standard Set of Wavelengths. Using the first and the second interpolated absorbances, a linear regression equation for each wavelength of said Standard Set of Wavelengths is determined.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring calibration of a spectrophotometric apparatus including one or more calibration algorithms for one or more analytes. This method includes measuring absorbance of a quality control material with the apparatus to obtain a measurement, where the quality control material exhibits an absorbance spectra having a negative slope for a continuous spectral segment from about 5 nm to about 200 nm in length, and where the spectral segment includes a principal calibration wavelength for the one or more analytes. The method then involves calculating one or more concentration values from the measurement using the one or more calibration algorithms, followed by comparing the one or more concentration values with an assigned value given to the quality control material for each of the one or more analytes, and determining if there is a violation of a pre-established quality control rule. In this way one or more calibration algorithms of the apparatus may be monitored.