Abstract: The invention is reagents and procedures for determining an amount of cations present in a sample, the reagent comprising one or more chromogenic cryptand compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein k and j, either same or different, are equal to 1 to about 5;m and n, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 4;a and e, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 2;b and d, either same or different, are equal to 0 to about 5;R, either same or different, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkylidene, lower alkenyl, allyl, or aryl; and-Q- is ##STR2## wherein X is CH, N, or COH; andY includes ##STR3## except that when Q is ##STR4## wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of p-nitrophenylazo, 3-phenylisothiazalyl -5-azo, isothiazolyl-5-azo, thiazolyl-5-azo, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylazo, p-nitrostyryl, p-benzoquinonemonoimino and bis-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)hydroxymethyl, then the following condition cannot be present: that simultaneously b is equal to 0 or 1, d is equal to 0 or 1, j is equal to 1, n is e

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the rapid determination of a differential white blood cell count in a sample, which method comprises:(a) preparing a reagent solution comprising;formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde;a surfactant;a sugar or sugar alcohol; anda buffer; and(b) rapidly mixing the reagent solution with the sample to be analyzed to form a reaction mixture, wherein both the reagent solution and the sample are initially at room temperature; and(c) rapidly heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from about 62.degree. C. to about 72.degree. C. in order to lyse the red blood cells in the sample and fix the white blood cells in the sample.

Abstract: Sampler apparatus and method are provided and include both closed and open tube samplers, and selector valve operable to select therebetween for sample supply to automated sample analysis apparatus. A shear valve divides the samples into separate sample quantities for independent sample quantity analysis by multi-channel sample analysis apparatus. A pressure equilibration chamber prevents vacuum build-up in the closed tube sampler to insure the supply of consistent sample quantities therefrom. A source of a pressurized rinse solution is provided; and is operatively connected to the sampler apparatus in such manner as to insure the particularly thorough rinsing and cleansing of all relevant sampler components to remove sample residue therefrom between sampling operations, thereby reducing sample carryover to levels below those of clinical significance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the exchange of substances between substance carrier and recovery fluids in predetermined carrier/recovery fluid volumetric ratios, and operate through the vaporization of the carrier fluid in a separation chamber to separate the substance therefrom at a separation zone therein and effect the deposition and accumulation of the substance in a relatively narrow band, and the subsequent recovery of the substance band form the separation chamber by the substance recovery fluid. Correlation of the carrier fluid flow rate into the separation chamber, and the separation chamber temperature, is effective to determine the location of the substance band in the separation chamber. Segmentation of the substance carrier and recovery fluids materially increases the efficiency of the separation and recovery processes. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for high operational rate operation on an automated basis; and are adapted for operation on a batch basis.

Abstract: Dual liquid dispenser package is provided and is operable to supply liquids from liquid supply chambers to liquid reservoirs through liquid supply channels by centrifugal force-induced liquid displacement and flow attendant dispenser package rotation. The supply channels include means to greatly inhibit, if not totally prevent, liquid foaming attendant liquid flow from the supply chambers to the reservoirs. Vents are included to vent the liquid supply chambers to atmosphere to prevent vacuum build-up therein, and include means preventing spillage of the liquids from the dispenser package through the vents. The dispenser package is particularly adapted for use in the supply of two reagent liquids to automated sample liquid analysis systems.

Abstract: A method of lyophilizing reagent-coated latex particles which results in a product easily reconstituted without agglutination, retains activity, and remains stable and active at storage at 4.degree. C.

Abstract: Sampler apparatus and method are provided and include both closed and open tube samplers, and selector valve operable to select therebetween for sample supply to automated sample analysis apparatus. A shear valve divides the samples into separate sample quantities for independent sample quantity analysis by multi-channel sample analysis apparatus. A pressure equilibration chamber prevents vacuum bulid-up in the closed tube sampler to insure the supply of consistent sample quantities therefrom. A source of a pressurized rinse solution is provided; and is operatively connected to the sampler apparatus in such manner as to insure the particularly thorough rinsing and cleansing of all relevant sample components to remove sample residue therefrom between sampling operations, thereby reducing sample carryover to levels below those of clinical significance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel stabilized aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution which comprises hydrogen peroxide in admixture with an aromatic polysulfonic acid, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the volume and hemoglobin concentration of an isovolumetrically sphered red cell by passing the cell through a beam of monochromatic light to produce one forward light scattering pattern, and measuring the forward light-scattering pattern at two selected angular intervals to generate signals S1 and S2, respectively. The first angular interval is selected to span the angular region within which the first maxima of the light scattering patterns of the cells having volumes in the physiological range are expected to fall. The second angular interval is selected which begins above the upper limit of the first angular interval and below the second maximum of the scattering pattern of the cell having the largest volume in the physiological range and which extends to an angle at which the secondary maxima are reduced substantially to zero in comparison to the magnitude of the first maximum.

Abstract: A specific binding assay composition and method for determining a ligand in a sample are disclosed. The composition comprises (a) a binding partner for the ligand; (b) a detection system which has at least two components; (c) a selectively accessible vesicle having a surface-incorporated ligand or ligand analog and a first component of the detection system therein; (d) a substance which modifies vesicle accessibility in response to binding of surface-associated ligand or ligand analog and binding partner; and (e) at least one additional component of the detection system which is reactive with the first component to produce a detectable response which is reduced by association of the binding partner and vesicle modifying substance with the variabily accessible vesicle. A decrease in signal is measured upon reaction as compared to the signal of unreacted vesicles.

Abstract: This invention provides a hydrophilic specific binding assay reagent which is prepared by a process comprising the steps of reacting a partner of a specific binding pair and at least one hydrophilic substance with haloalkyl moieties associated with the surface of a solid phase and recovering the reagent so prepared from any unreacted binding partner. Preferably, the alpha-haloalkyl is chloromethyl and the at least one hydrophilic substance comprises at least one protein, such as albumin, and at least one non-proteinaceous amine to which the solid phase is impermeable, such as tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane. The specific binding assay reagent of the invention can be combined with other reagents to provide an assay composition.

Abstract: A multi-zone heater arrangement for controlling the temperature of a gaseous medium, such as air, being conveyed through the heater which is located within a flow duct for the medium, and more particularly, an arrangement for compensating temperature deviations in the gaseous medium conveyed through the respective zones of the heater. Moreover, also disclosed is a method for controlling the temperature of the gaseous medium as it is conveyed through the multi-zone heater to compensate for temperature differentials in the gaseous medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the exchange of substances between substance carrier and recovery fluids in predetermined carrier/recovery fluid volumetric ratios, and operate through the vaporization of the carrier fluid in a separation chamber to separate the substance therefrom at a separation zone therein and effect the deposition and accumulation of the substance in a relatively narrow band, and the subsequent recovery of the substance band from the separation chamber by the substance recovery fluid. Correlation of the carrier fluid flow rate into the separation chamber, and the separation chamber temperature, is effective to determine the location of the substance band in the separation chamber. Segmentation of the substance carrier and recovery fluids materially increases the efficiency of the separation and recovery processes. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for high operational rate operation on an automated basis; and are adapted for operation on a batch basis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the precisely controlled and coordinated supply of sample and sheath stream fluids to a sheath stream flow cell, and comprise the use of positive displacement differential pumping means which are operable to insure consistent sample and sheath stream fluid diameters, velocity and volume flow conditions within the flow cell, thereby maximizing the accuracy and reproducibility of successive analyses.

Abstract: A method of lyophilizing reagent-coated latex particles which results in a product easily reconstituted without agglutination, retains activity, and remains stable and active at storage at 4.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for the precisely controlled and coordinated, concomitant supply at optimal flow rates, by differential pumping, of selected sample and sheath liquids from respective pluralities of different sources thereof, to the same sheath stream flow cell for successive different types of sample analyses, thereby maximizing sample analysis accuracy and reproducibility, and reducing apparatus complexity and costs. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in high-speed automated biomedical analytical systems.

Abstract: A new and improved isolation liquid layer retention device is provided, and comprises a porous member operatively associated with the interior of a container which contains a quantity of an aqueous liquid having a layer of a generally immiscible isolation liquid which is generally of greater density disposed thereon. The porous member is operable to cause the aqueous liquid to form a generally convex meniscus to strongly support the generally denser isolation liquid layer thereon to prevent the sinking of the isolation liquid into the aqueous liquid; and is operable to act as a moderating control by virtue of a "source and sink" action vis-a-vis the isolation liquid to maintain a uniform and readily reproducible configuration for the isolation liquid layer on a container-to-container basis with regard to each of a plurality of the containers. The device is particularly adapted for use with a plurality of containers of aqueous sample and reagent liquids in contemporary automated sample liquid analysis systems.

Abstract: New and improved connector is provided for the zero dead volume connection of separate, like diameter flexible tubing lengths by direct tubing length end abutment and connection under controlled conditions. The connector is particularly adapted for use with tubing lengths of fluorocarbon or like materials in contemporary biomedical sample liquid analysis systems which utilize an immiscible isolation liquid or "oil" to minimize sample liquid carryover and maximize the accuracy of sample liquid analysis results.

Abstract: A lens for utilization in the radiation energy exit port of a radiation energy integrating sphere is provided, and functions to prevent instrumental specular radiation energy reflections from striking the interior wall surfaces of the sphere and being collected thereby. The instrumental specular radiation energy reflections include those from the lens, per se, and those from instrumentation disposed without the integrating sphere.

Abstract: A specific binding enzyme-resistant ligand assay test material, which material comprises (a) a solid phase incorporated with one partner of a specific binding pair comprising said ligand or a binding analog thereof and a specific binding protein therefor; (b) a conjugate comprising the other partner of said specific binding pair incorporated with a substance which protects the specific binding protein of said pair from enzyme inactivation when bound with its partner; and (c) an active protein-inactivating enzyme. Also a specific binding method of assaying for an enzyme-resistant ligand in a sample, which method uses the above test material and which results in a reduction in interference caused by non-specific protein.