Abstract: A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and then to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting and quantifying agglutinates. According to the invention, the reactions take place in pits in a transparent disc and the axis of said disc may move at right angles to an observation device. The invention is more particularly applicable to immunohaematology.

Abstract: The invention provides a dissolution cell and method for determining the in-vitro release rate of a drug in suitable form, e.g. a suppository. The cell includes a solid rectangular top wall and a pair of trapezoidal side walls extending from the top wall. Disposed between the side walls are a pair of end walls and a bottom wall each comprised of a wire mesh material. The bottom wall and end walls can be made in one piece. The top wall has an opening and a flanged extension which can be coupled to a suitable rotating device. In use the cell containing the drug is rotated in a suitable dissolution medium and the rate of release of the drug is determined by analyzing the amount of drug released to the dissolution medium at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing objects, particularly hands, is disclosed in which an object is immersed in an agitated bed of small, porous particles charged with a liquid disinfectant. The agitated particles strike the object and release a microscopic amount of disinfectant onto the surface of the object, thereby killing contaminating microorganisms on the object.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for the analysis of a sample containing a peroxycompound in the presence of hydrogen peroxide using known colorimetric techniques, characterized in that a sample is taken continuously, is continuously mixed with a colorimetric reagent and is divided into two streams, and continuous differential colorimetric analysis of the two streams is effected to provided a differential signal, further characterized in that one such stream is heated to such a temperature that the peroxycompound reacts with the colorimetric reagent prior to effecting the differential colorimetric analysis, whereby the differential signal is a measure of the concentration of such peroxycompound. The process and apparatus may be modified in that a third stream is taken not containing any colorimetric reagent, and two differential colorimetric analyses are effected, whereby a further signal is obtained which is a measure of the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for periodically monitoring the composition of a plurality of samples includes a plurality of stationary flow-through sample vials through which sample fluid is periodically passed. A sampling probe withdraws fluid from the vial for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A photometric liquid analysis apparatus of the centrifugal analysis type uses insert elements having an elongated body, an optical measurement chamber near one end of the elongated body and a positioning trough on one side of the elongated body. The photometric liquid analysis apparatus has a rotor for rotating the insert elements to photometric means for photometric analysis of a liquid then in the optical measurement chamber of the insert element during the rotation of the rotor. The rotor has radial guiding chambers, each having an opening at an end thereof adjacent the outer periphery of the rotor and a configuration for receiving one of the insert elements with its positioning trough on a lateral side thereof and adjacent the outer periphery of the rotor.

Abstract: There is disclosed dispensing apparatus using a container for liquid, the apparatus comprising pressurizing means for aspirating liquid into the container, and for pressurizing liquid within the container to dispense the liquid. To control the ambient pressure of the atmosphere above the liquid within the container, system control means and a method of control are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an analytical rotor comprising a set of analytical cells disposed at its periphery, a central distribution chamber, portioning cavities corresponding to the respective cells and disposed between the cells and the chamber periphery, the cavities each having an inlet connected to the chamber and an outlet connected to one of the cells by a transfer passage, and at least one overflow reservoir connected to the inlets of the cavities by at least one communication passage.

Abstract: A process for detecting the presence of trace amounts of non-fluorescent soluble compounds each having at least one labile hydrogen atom in a carrier solution by adding a non-fluorescent quinone which is reducible to a fluorescent hydroquinone, and irradiating the resulting solution in the absence of oxygen with light of sufficient energy to cause the quinone to be reduced to a hydroquinone. The invention further provides a novel photochemical reactor--recording fluorometer combination and carrier liquid--quinone solution for performing the analysis.

Abstract: A method for generating a series of digital responses to the presence of a given concentration of analyte in a test sample is described. The responses are obtained by providing varying levels of components of a competing reaction with constant levels of components of a control reaction. The pattern of digital responses permits a direct reading of the level of analyte in the test sample. Analytes may be either substrates for enzyme reactions, or may be, themselves, enzymes.

Abstract: An information carrier for recording information concerning a product. The carrier is formed of a fluoroplastic and is adapted to be affixed to the product. It includes a first side for facing a component of the product and a second side remote from the first side. The strip also includes an interior portion disposed between the sides with the interior portion having a color sharply contrasting with that of the second side. Thus, discrete bar-like segments of the second surface can be removed to expose the sharply contrasting color of the interior portion to provide coded information about the product. The carrier is formed of a severe environment resistant fluoroplastic so that it can travel with the component through severe environment processing steps.

Abstract: A method for determining the alkali metal content of a liquid such as protein-containing liquids wherein a liquid containing alkali metal cation is contacted with a monocyclic crown ether capable of forming a complex with the alkali metal cation in a substantially inert solvent and an anionic dye, is disclosed. The alkali metal forms a complex with the ether and the dye in the solvent, the presence of which is a measure of the alkali metal content of the liquid.

Abstract: A heating system for heating a rapidly rotating article, including strobe means capable of emitting radiant energy and positioned to radiate energy onto the article, a light source positioned to illuminate a temperature-sensing means on the article, light detector means to measure changes in the light reflected by the temperature-sensing means and control means to energize the strobe means in response to reflected light from the detector means.

Abstract: A disposable sterilizer mechanical air removal test pack comprising an outer container in the form of a box having a definite shape and being formed of a relatively air and steam permeable material coated with a form-stabilizing layer of a relatively air and steam impermeable material, and a body of relatively air and steam permeable material enclosed in the box. An indicator means is arranged in the body of material for indicating when contact with steam has taken place. The box includes a plurality of closure flaps which provide interruptions which control and direct the flow of steam into and air out of the interior of the body of material with the flow of steam and air occurring predominantly in a lateral direction through the body of material.

Abstract: A device and method of making and using the same in performing manual and automated chemical reactions and analyses of clinical assay mediums. Such device including a solid, microporous element formed of adsorbent material and having walls defining an internal cell structure comprised of interconnecting cells within which is contained a precise, measured quantity of reagents.

Abstract: A test pack for determining the efficiency of a vacuum in an autoclave comprises a porous bundle having a plurality of nonporous layers placed on its surface to leave a portion thereof exposed. A sheet with a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon is embedded in the bundle for placement in an autoclave where a vacuum is drawn to evacuate air therefrom through the exposed surface portions of the bundle. Steam is then introduced to replace the evacuated air and react with the indicator ink wherever there is contact. The amount of indicator ink contacted by the steam is a measure of the efficiency of the vacuum.

Abstract: There is disclosed an analytical element comprising a support; a reagent layer which is positioned on one side of the support and contains a reagent reactive with a component in a fluid sample; and a porous spreading layer which is positioned on the reagent layer on the opposite side to that of the support for permitting the component in the fluid sample to permeate into the reagent layer; wherein at least one layer contains 5% by weight or more of a polymer formed by, (i) a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated acid with (ii) a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer.The analytical element according to the present invention can determine a component in a fluid sample quantitatively.

Abstract: An improved test pack for determining the efficiency of a vacuum in an autoclave comprises a porous bundle partially including open cell foam and having a plurality of non-porous gas impermeable layers placed on its surface to leave a portion thereof exposed. A sheet with a steam sensitive indicator ink printed thereon is embedded in the bundle for placement in an autoclave where a vacuum is drawn to evacuate air therefrom through the exposed surface portions of the bundle. Steam is then introduced to replace the evacuated air and react with the indicator ink wherever there is contact. The amount of indicator ink contacted by the steam is a measure of the efficiency of the vacuum.

Abstract: A composition is tested to determine whether it is a tumor promoter or a complete carcinogen by exposing a stable epithelial cell line to the composition for an incubation time period sufficient to induce morphological changes in the cell line. After the incubation time, the cells are observed by morphology changes induced by the composition, which changes are compared to that caused by a known tumor promoter or a known complete carcinogen.