Abstract: A method of analyzing a mixture of hydrocarbon oils by using gel-permeation chromatography together with infrared detection. According to the method the signals from the infrared detector are combined to form fingerprints (M) which are characteristic of the samples being analyzed and which represent the molecular size distribution of the various hydrocarbon fractions in the samples. Then, the fingerprints are combined either to determine the concentration and the fingerprints of an unknown oil present in a mixture of two oils, or else the concentrations of n known oils in a mixture of the n oils.

Abstract: A detachable column cartridge for a gas chromatograph is disclosed. The cartridge column contains analytical and reference columns, a heater and a thermocouple, and connects via detachable connectors to a base unit containing an injector, a detector and other components normally found in gas chromatographs. The cartridge arrangement permits a substitute column to be connected to the base unit easily, in the field, when different gases are to be separated and analyzed.

Abstract: An eliminating agent used for the measurement of the amount of glycosylated hemoglobins in a blood sample is provided. The eliminating agent comprises condensed phosphoric acids and/or the salts thereof as the main ingredient, wherein the agent eliminates labile glycosylated hemoglobin A.sub.1c into non-glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose. There is also provided a reagent comprising the eliminating agent and a hemolysis agent, which is used for the measurement of the amount of glycosylated hemoglobins; and an eluent comprising the eliminating agent, which is used for the separation of glycosylated hemoglobins in blood samples by ion-exchange chromatography to measure the amount of the glycosylated hemoglobins. A method for measuring the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin A.sub.1c in a blood sample involves the use of the eliminating agent, the reagent comprising the eliminating agent and the hemolysis agent, and/or the eluent.

Abstract: An analytic separation arrangement includes a system of tubes including a separation zone, preferably a separation column, which tubes upstream the separation zone are connected with reservoirs for a carrier and a chemical sample to be seperated and analyzed, and downstream the separation zone are connected with a waste container for the carrier containing the sample and also are connected with transporting means for the carrier and the sample. The tube system is associated with an optical detector for monitoring changes in the absorption, in the fluorescence or in the optical activity of the carrier when it is transported through the tube system and past the optical detector, which is arranged in the path of the carrier behind the separation zone but in front of the waste container. Between the separation zone and the optical detector there is arranged in the path of the carrier a refractive index equalizing unit.

Abstract: A cassette for holding an electrophoretic gel. The cassette has two substantially planar wall members formed of a synthetic plastics material, each wall member having two sides and two ends. The wall members are formed integrally along each side with an array of interdigitating ribs and grooves which releasably hold the wall members in substantially parallel array spaced apart sufficiently to define between them an electrophoretic gel receiving space. The ribs and grooves also serve to form a substantially fluid tight seal down each side of the gel receiving space. A plurality of ribs extend between the upper edges of the two wall members to define a series of wells above the gel into which samples to be electrophoretically separated may be placed.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for coupled liquid chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements. The apparatus includes a liquid chromatograph, an intermediate storage device for intermediately storing of components of a probe eluent and an NMR spectrometer. Selected intermediately stored components are fed to an NMR measurement unit. The intermediate storing device includes a number of capillary tubes, which are switchable by an automatically controlled valve arrangement for selectively receiving and delivering desired eluent components.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method providing an open-split interface between a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer for delivering a substantially solvent free sample material from the gas chromatograph to the mass spectrometer. The apparatus has a junction having an inlet to receive a gas chromatograph effluent. An inert auxiliary fluid such as helium supplied through a port is used to scavenge the solvent rich effluent to atmosphere. A transfer member disposed partially within the junction is initially positioned at a first position to accomplish the aforementioned scavenging action. The transfer member is then repositioned to a second position to direct the substantially solvent free sample to the mass spectrometer for a qualitative and a quantitative analysis.

Abstract: A plastic autoclave enclosure for retaining and storing medical instruments and apparata which must be autoclaved includes a molded tray, a molded lid and a pair of oppositely disposed slide latches which are used to secure the molded lid to the molded tray. The molded tray has an outwardly extending flange and disposed therein a pair of spaced-apart keyhole slots. The slide latches are attached to opposite ends of the molded lid and include a protruding pin portion from each latch which has an enlarged head and this enlarged head is received by the corresponding keyhole slot. The base of the molded tray is configured with two spaced-apart ribs and the molded lid has a pair of spaced-apart ribs which define the top surface into three generally rectangular areas. The spacing and length dimension of the tray ribs is such that the base of the tray may be stacked onto the top of the lid thereby allowing a plurality of autoclave enclosures to be stacked one on top of the other.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the commercial sterilization of thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers, which are hermetically sealed with an easy-peel aluminum foil/plastic-coated lid stock material. The apparatus is a rack of molds, each mold having a recessed groove to support the lip of the plastic container and a mold lid having a rigid portion covering the lid and a resilient portion inside the rigid portion to permit the lid of the plastic container to expand in a controlled manner during sterilization. The rigid portion of the mold lid can be angled to fit the contour of the expanded container lid.

Abstract: The concentration of an organic chlorine compound contained in a gaseous medium is measured in situ by feeding the gaseous medium to a reaction zone and oxidizing the chlorine compound to produce a reactive gas capable of reacting with a chemiluminescent compound to cause chemiluminescence. The reactive gas is contacted with the chemiluminescent compound contained in a cell to cause chemiluminescence whose intensity is proportional to the amount of the reactive gas produced by the oxidation of the organic compound. The concentration of an organic chlorine compound contained in an aqueous medium may also be measured by the similar method after separating the organic chlorine compound as vapors from the aqueous medium. A device suitable for the above measurement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A carbon analyzer capable of measuring carbon contents of both liquid and solid samples under appropriate conditions includes not only basic components of a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer such as a carrier gas supplying unit 22, a sample injection unit 2 for a liquid sample 6, a liquid sample combustion-oxidation vessel 12 and a CO.sub.2 detector 46, but also a solid sample intake unit 26 for receiving a solid sample, converting its carbon components into CO.sub.2 and sending it into the CO.sub.2 detector 46 together with a carrier gas. The CO.sub.2 detector 46 is a non-dispersive infrared analyzer with two measuring cells 48a and 48b having different lengths and disposed in series with a light flux such that the light flux will have different optical path lengths through these measuring cells 48a and 48b. A switching valve 44 serves to direct the gas to be tested selectively to either of the measuring cells 48a and 48 b and the carrier gas to the other as a purge gas.

Abstract: A high-precision liquid reagent delivery system is provided for convenient and efficient gravity flow delivery of substantially the entire volume of reagent contained within a sealed formed tray. The delivery system comprises a formed tray defining a curved cavity for holding a predetermined amount of liquid, and a substantially planar ledge surface defined around the cavity opening. The surfaces of the cavity are non-porous, uniform and smoothly converging to a point of liquid discharge at an intersection of the cavity and the ledge surface. The ledge surface further defines an apex extending longitudinally from the point of liquid discharge and defines a guide path for the delivery of liquid contained within the tray. The system also includes a flexible cover removably affixed to the ledge surface of the tray for forming a sealed chamber between the cavity and the affixed cover for containment of liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the detection of analytes. A polyunsaturated polymerized lipid layer is employed, which is anisotropic, has a member of a specific binding pair bound to an end of the lipids, and whose optical characteristics are modified upon complex formation between the specific binding pair member and its complementary member. By providing for polarized light, linear and/or circular, one can detect the presence of complex formation by the change in the optical characteristics of the film. Polarizers, analyzers, and wave plates are employed for providing for a light signal which can be analyzed and related to the presence of an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A kit for inactivating interfering binding proteins in a immunoassay for a member of a specific binding pair (sbp). The method comprises including in an assay medium containing a sample suspected of containing an sbp member and an interfering binding protein an effective amount of a water soluble compound having two substituted or unsubstituted phenyl groups linked to a common atom. When the sbp member or its sbp partner has two phenyl groups linked to a common atom, the compound has a number of-groups other than hydrogen attached to the phenyl groups and the atom that differs by at least two from the number of such groups on the sbp member. When the sbp member or its sbp partner has two phenyl groups linked to a common atom and the binding protein is not an antibody, the compound has only one group other than hydrogen attached to a phenyl group or the common atom.

Abstract: There are disclosed a shuttle apparatus and method for catching a test element ejected from an incubator, for carrying it to a station outside the incubator, e.g., a wash station, and for returning it to a loading station. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a simplified catcher plate and means for moving the plate in an arcuate path around a portion of the circumference of the incubator. The plate cooperates with stop means disposed above said arcuate path, to capture a washed element upon reloading, so that the washed element can be reloaded by returning it to the original path used to load elements into the incubator in the first instance.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for carrying out an assay includes a rotor body which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and has a central chamber and first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth chambers which are in communication with and radiate from the central chamber. The rotor assembly further includes a shuttle which is movable through the central chamber and insertable into any of the chambers, the shuttle including a reaction cup carrying an immobilized antigen or an antibody for transport among the chambers. A method for carrying out an assay using the rotor assembly includes moving the reaction cup among the six chambers by passing the cup through the central chamber between centrifugation steps in order to perform the steps of: separating plasma from blood cells, binding plasma antibody or antigen, washing, drying, binding enzyme conjugate, reacting with enzyme substrate and optically comparing the resulting reaction product with unreacted enzyme substrate solution.

Abstract: An analytical method for determining aluminum in amino acids such as glycine. A complex of aluminum and dihydroxyazobenzene is formed by reacting the amino acid solution with a mixture of dihydroxyazobenzene and acetonitrile in the presence of a buffer to obtain a pH of between about 7 and 8. The resulting complex is analyzed for aluminum by high performance liquid chromatography. Minimization of aluminum contamination is achieved by reducing the number of reagents used in the procedure.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process and device for the separation of a body fluid from particulate materials in the fluid to be used for a chemical analysis of the fluid components. The process and device are in particular suitable for the separation of plasma from whole blood. Furthermore the present invention relates to a testing kit for the above mentioned separation and analysis purposes. The device has a collector membrane of defined capacity which intimately contacts the small pore side of a separator membrane having asymmetric pores passing through it permitting the application of a body fluid to the large pore side of the separator membrane.

Abstract: A detachable column cartridge for a gas chromatograph is disclosed. The cartridge column contains analytical and reference columns, a heater and a thermocouple, and connects via detachable connectors to a base unit containing an injector, a detector and other components normally found in gas chromatographs. The cartridge arrangement permits a substitute column to be connected to the base unit easily, in the field, when different gases are to be separated and analyzed.

Abstract: A device and method constructed to collect a liquid into a device so that the liquid is first drawn in to an intermediate point by capillary attraction only, and then from that intermediate point further by gravity. The device features two apertured portions connected at the intermediate point so as to be angled to each other. The first portion provides the capillary attraction through its aperture by preferably oppositely disposed surfaces spaced a distance no greater than that which will maintain capillary flow into that portion through the aperture; The second portion provides gravity flow further into the device from the intermediate point by a spacing of the opposed surfaces a distance effective to allow gravity to passively overcome any surface attraction caused by the opposed surfaces, and the inclination of that portion to drop below the horizontal plane extending from the intermediate point.