Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fluorescence based sensor for measuring the concentration of a gas (e.g., CO2 or ammonia) in a medium such as blood which has superior dry web sensor performance, enhanced sensor consistency for transparent sensor calibration, improved autoclave stability and rapid rehydration of the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors of the present invention comprise microcompartments of an aqueous phase having a pH sensitive indicator component and a nonionic amphipathic surfactant within a hydrophobic barrier phase comprising a plurality of dispersed hydrophobic particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay apparatus for that includes a temperature adjusting means for simultaneously heating a plurality of samples, and a receiving means for receiving spectral emission from the samples while the samples are being heated. In further aspects of the invention, the receiving means can be configured to receive fluorescent emission, ultraviolet light, and visible light. The receiving means can be configured to receive spectral emission from the samples in a variety of ways, e.g., one sample at a time, simultaneously from more than one sample, or simultaneously from all of the samples. The temperature adjusting means can be configured with a temperature controller for changing temperature in accordance with a pre-determined profile.

Abstract: An apparatus which permits simultaneous use as reaction vessel for taking up one or more reaction liquids, for incubating and storing these liquids and for carrying out optical measurements is described. The apparatus performs functions of the reaction vessel and functions of the apparatus for liquid uptake. This makes it possible for analysis to be completely free of carryover while, at the same time, requiring minimal use of consumable materials or rinsing solutions.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for a gas-fueled engine which is capable of achieving the combustion in a target air-fuel ratio to surely purify an exhaust gas through an exhaust purification catalyst. In the air-fuel ratio control system, a three-way catalytic converter is placed in an exhaust pipe of the engine and an O2 sensor is located on the upstream side of the three-way catalytic converter. The O2 sensor comprises an element, and an atmosphere side electrode is formed on an inner surface of the element while an exhaust gas side electrode is formed on an outer surface thereof. The exhaust gas side electrode is coated with a catalyst layer which can remove hydrogen through a catalytic reaction. A control unit of the control system controls a fuel supply quantity by a gas injector using a feedback correction coefficient on the basis of the output of the O2 sensor, thereby reducing the deviation between an air-fuel ratio measured by the O2 sensor and a target air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting contaminant gases includes a converter, a detector, a primary channel for delivering a target gas sample through the converter to the detector, and at least two scrubbing channels for delivering a reference gas sample through the converter to the detector. Each of the scrubbing channels includes a scrubber for removing basic nitrogen compounds from the reference gas sample, while the primary channel preferably transmits the target gas sample without scrubbing. The converter converts gaseous nitrogen compounds in the target gas sample to an indicator gas, such as nitric oxide (NO), and a control system directs the flow of a gas sample among the primary channel and the scrubbing channels. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the basic-nitrogen-compound concentration can be measured by comparing the concentration of the indicator gas detected in the reference sample with the detected indicator-gas concentration in the target sample.

Abstract: A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

Abstract: An electrophoresis container apparatus having (1) a primary container tray made from a UV light transmitting materials, (2) a UV light transmitting gel contained in the primary container tray, and (3) a removable top sheet for covering the gel. The removable top sheet may also be UV light transmitting. The apparatus optionally comes with a handle having pincers for grasping the primary container and permitting easy movement of the apparatus from location to location. Because the apparatus transmits UV light, the gel can be used and analyzed while it is still in the tray. This eliminates the need to remove the gel before analysis and reduces the chances that the gel will be damaged during handling. Similarly, because the apparatus has an optional handle, the user can move the apparatus form location to location without touching the apparatus and exposing the user to dangerous chemicals, e.g., those often used in staining procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrophoresis apparatus and electrophoresis methods employing gellan gum based gels employing divalent metal cation and diamine cross-linking agents. The gels are reversible under conditions that do not damage the biomolecules separated using the gels. The present invention also provides novel gellan gum-based gels which are cross-linked which employ a diamine cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Apparatus for the conduct of electrochemiluminescence measurements includes an ECL chamber having a transparent window defining one wall of the chamber and a photodetector mounted closely adjacent thereto. An assay fluid is subject to a magnetic field and is electrically energized. Electrochemiluminescence induced in the fluid is measured by the photodetector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting reactions and conformational changes of analytes in a sample by coincidence analysis, as follows: the sample is marked with at least two different fluorescent dyes and then illuminated with at least one laser in order to stimulate the emission of fluorescence; the fluorescence signals are detected by at least two detection units and each signal is broken down into any simultaneous time segments with the desired time slot widths; the number of signals contained in at least one time segment and/or the time intervals between signals in the time segments are detected; a coincidence analysis of the data detected is carried out for at least one time segment of the first detection unit with at least one isochronous time segment of the second detection unit; statistics are produced showing the results of the coincidence analysis and/or the results are subjected to a threshold value analysis, and these statistics or a combination of more statistics are evaluated for the

Abstract: A chemical analyzing apparatus comprises a reaction cell holder which holds a plurality of reaction cells that are supplied with samples and reagents at a predetermined position, a measurer for measuring characteristics of the sample, a plurality of reagent containers, a liquid deliverer provided below each of the plurality of reagent containers, one or more sound wave generators provided outside the reaction cells, and storage containers for storing cleansing liquid with different contamination states. The cleansing liquid with different contamination states is reused according to the contamination levels of the reaction cells.

Abstract: A micro sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprises an integrated sensor head having a tip portion adapted to be inserted into a sample, a light source for emitting a beam of light into and through the tip portion with the tip portion capable of interacting with a substance within a sample to produce a reflected pattern of light, and a detector for receiving the reflected pattern of light, and a body portion coupled to the integrated sensor head, the body portion comprising a processor operatively connected to the light source and the detector, the processor for controlling the light source for emitting the beam of light, for receiving the pattern of reflected light from the detector, and for processing the reflected pattern of light to determine the concentration of a substance within a sample.

Abstract: Optical sensor formulations comprising polymeric sensing formulations and methods of predictably making optical sensor formulations, for, e.g., measuring O2 levels in patient blood samples. These formulations may be, e.g., deposited as a membrane on light-transmissive substrates. In an embodiment, O2-sensing formulations may be made by a process including selecting a first homopolymer comprised of first monomeric units, the first homopolymer having a first PermO2 value; selecting a second homopolymer comprised of second monomeric units, the second homopolymer having a second PermO2 value that is different from the first PermO2 value; and copolymerizing the first and second monomeric units to obtain a copolymer having an intermediate PermO2 value, i.e., between the two PermO2 values, the intermediate PermO2 providing the desired PermO2 for the desired oxygen sensing formulation.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to inspect reagent strips having fluid samples, such as urine samples, disposed thereon and to reduce the likelihood of contamination of one of the fluid samples with another of the fluid samples is provided with a reagent strip support (22) adapted to support a reagent strip (14) having a plurality of reagent pads (26) disposed in a longitudinal direction along the reagent strip (26), including reagent pad which has a reagent sensitive to contamination.

Abstract: An automated slide stainer with slides mounted in a horizontal position on a rotary carousel. Reagents and rinse liquids are automatically dispensed onto tissue sections or cells mounted on slides for the purpose of performing chemical or immunohistochemical stains. The rinse liquids are removed by an aspiration head connected to a source of vacuum. Individual slides or groups of slides are supported on flat heating stations for heating to individual temperatures. Temperature control electronics on the carousel are controlled by a user interface off of the carousel.

Abstract: A particle measuring apparatus surrounds a sample with a sheath liquid to hydrodynamically converge and flow them, and optically measures a particle in the sample to obtain a signal data of the particle. The apparatus provides a monitoring section for comparing a pulse width of the signal data as obtained, with a predetermined standard value to obtain a comparison value and monitoring a flow rate of the sheath liquid based on the comparison value.

Abstract: A dilution reservoir (10) with one or more channels (30) is provided in which the channels (30) are easily accessible and which allow improved material manipulation. The dilution reservoir (10) includes a housing (14), having a base (18), a top (16) opposite the base (18) and a plurality of sides (20), (22). One or more channels (30) are located in said housing (14), each channel (30) having a mouth (40) at the top (16) of the housing (14) which opens into a cavity (38). Each channel (30) and each cavity (38) has a longitudinal axis (44), a transverse axis (48), a depth axis (46), and the channels (30) have arcuate cross-sections. These arcuate cross-sections provide true low points (60) in the bottom (56) of each cavity (38) which facilitate collection of material. The mouths (40) of the channels (30) are elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis (44) thus allowing a wider range of access angles (78) for insertion of a standard pipettor.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and device for cleaning the components of an internal combustion engine. The device provides a single valve for regulating the flow and blend of air and cleaning fluid entering the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The invention provides a novel device and process for cleaning mineral deposits from the surface of the combustion chamber, piston crown and intake ports, intake valves. The flow control valve is capable of regulating the flow of air and cleaning fluid into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine during the cleaning process. The device of the present invention connects two separate hoses to a flow control valve. The end of one of the hoses is placed within a reservoir of cleaning fluid. The end of the other hose is connected to vacuum port of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Drilling fluid additives are designed to increase the density of drilling fluids while minimizing the increase in the resistance to flow of the drilling fluid. In particular, barite particles are added to the drilling fluid as a weight material where the barite particles include at least 85% by weight particles less than 75 microns and greater than 6 microns in equivalent spherical diameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a reagent strip (14) having a fluid sample disposed thereon is provided with a conveyor system (80) adapted to move the reagent strip (14) from a first reagent strip inspection location to a second reagent strip inspection location, a first readhead (60) associated with the first reagent strip inspection location, and a second readhead (62) associated with the second reagent strip inspection location. Each of the readheads (60, 62) has a light source (64, 68) and a light detector (66, 70) associated therewith, each light source (64, 68) being adapted to illuminate the reagent strip (14) at one of the reagent strip inspection locations and each light detector (66, 70) being adapted to detect light from the reagent strip (14) when the reagent strip (14) is disposed at one of the reagent strip inspection locations.