Abstract: An improved sample card is provided. The improved card, typically used in biochemical analysis, achieves high sample well capacity and improved fluid flow, including by means of a plurality of through-channels which route the fluid flow of samples along both the front and back surfaces of the card. Elevated bubble traps are provided, as are integral interrupt slots for sensing card position and alignment. A bezeled leading edge facilitates insertion.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A diluting station and a pipetting station for a machine such as a biological sample testing machine. The diluting station has a rotating shot tube that fills with diluent without the need for priming when the shot tube is in a vertically inclined orientation, and which dispenses the diluent into a receptacle when the shot tube is rotated to a downward orientation. A thimble valve is placed in the shot tube to control the flow of diluent into the valve.The pipetting station includes a cylindrical housing storing a plurality of straws and a concentric rotating drum that sweeps a straw into a straw withdrawal slot. A tubular tapered transfer pin is inserted into the straw frictional into engagement with the straw. The tubular transfer pin rotates the straw out of the slot into a generally downward orientation towards a receptacle containing a fluid. The pin and straw are lowered so as to place the end of the straw into the fluid.

Abstract: A disposal system for stacking card-like objects neatly in a magazine. The cards enter the disposal system via a card entrance slot. A push plate located adjacent the slot pushes the cards past a pair of resilient snap elements in the sides of the magazine. A pressure plate is located behind the snap elements and biases the cards that have been pushed over the snap elements forward towards the rear of the snap elements. The cards are maintained in a stacked condition between the snap elements and the pressure plate. When a card is inserted into the card slot, the push plate is operated to an extended position, in which it pushes the card past the snap elements against the cards stacked between the snap elements and the pressure plate. The push plate then retracts, so as to enable another card to enter into the card slot. The user of the machine removes the magazine from the machine when the need arises or when the magazine is fully loaded with cards.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.

Abstract: An improved sample card is provided. The improved card, typically used in biochemical analysis, achieves high sample well capacity and improved fluid flow, including by means of a plurality of through-channels which route the fluid flow of samples along both the front and back surfaces of the card. Elevated bubble traps are provided, as are integral interrupt slots for sensing card position and alignment. A bezeled leading edge facilitates insertion.

Abstract: The prosthetic mini-condyle is for use with a prosthetic glenoid fossa. The mini-condyle covers an excised natural condyle having a superior cut surface and a lateral cut surface. The mini-condyle has a superior, convexo-planar articular face and an inferior flat face. A shank extends inferiorly from the inferior face and is adapted to become secured to the lateral cut surface. The flat interior face is adapted to abut against the superior cut surface. Preferably, a porous bicompatible coating is bonded to the inferior face of the condyle and to the medial face of the shank.

Abstract: The mandible oscillator system has an intraoral appliance mounted onto the upper and lower arches. A linear stepper motor forcibly imparts oscillating motion to the intraoral appliance. During one-half cycle of oscillation the lower arch is forced to move away from the upper arch, and during the other one-half cycle the lower arch is forced to move toward the upper arch. A programmable digital computer drives the motor and adjusts the parameters of the oscillating motion.

Abstract: The surgical TM joint implant has two-parts: a first part which covers or replaces the natural glenoid fossa and articular eminence of a natural TM joint, and a second part which replaces the natural condylar head of the joint. The first part includes a plate having a fossa cavity defined by a relatively deep concave portion and an anteriorly located concavo-planar portion. The second part has a condylar head defining a convexo-planar, articular face for engaging the concavo-planar surface and establishing therewith a planar contact area which minimizes the unit stress transmitted between the first and second parts, thereby providing for an even load distribution between their engaged planar surfaces.

Abstract: The panel for converting solar energy to sensible heat of a working fluid comprises a thermally-insulated and impervious base member overlayed with and spaced from a solar-collecting member or collector. The collector is in turn overlayed with and spaced from a pair of mutually spaced impervious films which are essentially transparent to incident solar radiation and substantially opaque to radiation emitted by the collector. The solar-collecting member consists of a thermally-insulating porous matrix substance and of a second substance affixed thereto. The second substance is in divided and substantially discrete form. The second substance exhibits a high degree of absorptivity for solar radiation and low emissivity for long wave radiation. The working fluid to be heated is admitted to a chamber underneath the solar-collecting member. The working fluid has a pressure sufficient to cause it to percolate through the collector.

Abstract: A reagent for proteolytic enzyme assays has the general formula ##STR1## where RCO-- is an enzyme reactive acyl, such as an amino acid, peptide or substituted amino acid or peptide. The reagent may be hydrolysed by proteolytic enzymes and developed to form a distinctive color. The reagent may be formed by reacting RCOOH with N-hydroxysuccinimide to form the acyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. The ester may then be reacted to form the reagent.