Abstract: An improved biological sample analyzer, and a method and system for operation thereof, wherein instrument systems used to perform assays of the biological samples loaded into the analyzer are operated in accordance with a schedule developed by a scheduler routine. The scheduler routine determines interval periods between operations performed by the analyzer instrument systems on each biological sample as a function of an entered load list unless a fixed interval period between the operations is required and schedules instrument system operations and the determined interval periods. The biological system analyzer performs assays of the biological samples by operating the analyzer instrument systems in accordance with the developed schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lipophilic disaccharide-dipeptide compounds. The compounds of the invention are preferably encapsulated into multilamellar liposomes, which can be formed from phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl glycerol. The compounds are effective in activating human monocytes with subsequent destruction of tumor cells. These compounds have acceptable toxicity in anticipated human dosages.

Abstract: A matched catalytically inactive compensator for use in a combustible gas sensor is made from a catalytically active detector. The catalytically active detector is exposed to a gas phase catalytic inhibitor such as hexamethyldisiloxane to completely destroy its catalytic ability thereby forming a compensator which has very similar chemical and physical properties to the untreated detectors.

Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of bacterial growth in a plurality of sample vials incorporates a single test station moveable along each of the plurality of sample vials. In one embodiment, the sensor station is movably mounted on a rod, and that rod is movably mounted on a pair of spaced rods. The rod which carries the test station may move along the spaced rods to change the location of the test station in a first dimension and the test station is moveable along its rod to change location in a second dimension. In this way, the test station may be moved through two dimensions to move serially to the location of each of the plurality of sample vials. In another aspect of this invention, a bar code is associated with each of the sample vials, and the test station makes a reading of that bar code concurrent with a determination being made as to whether there is any bacterial growth in the sample vial.

Abstract: A quick-response, real-time gaseous measurement system allows for the continuous sampling of a low pressure gaseous environment. A sample of test gas from the low pressure gaseous environment is continuously extracted and pumped to a structural tee joint which is open to the atmosphere at one end to maintain the test gas at a constant pressure. The structural tee joint communicates at the other end with a heater for maintaining the test gas at a constant temperature. From the heater, the test gas is sent to a sensor which develops a voltage that is proportional to the partial pressure of the gaseous component to be measured in the test gas, a constant flow rate to test gas being provided through the heater and sensor. Since test gas pressure, temperature, and flow rate are being held constant, changes in sensor voltage are attributable only to changes in the concentration of the measured gas component.

Abstract: A system for monitoring changes in the amount of contaminants present in a flowing stream of supercritical fluid. A sample stream is removed from a flowing stream of supercritical fluid and subjected to reduced pressure. The supercritical fluid turns into gas at the reduced pressure with the contaminants remaining in a non-gaseous form. A quartz crystal microbalance system measures changes in the amount of non-gaseous contaminants present in the sample stream. The system is useful in monitoring both cleaning processes and extraction processes utilizing supercritical fluids.

Abstract: A portable spectrophotometer includes a small-diameter optical sphere as well as optical detectors and signal processing and display circuitry which allows the instrument to be taken to an object to be measured and which provides a readout of color values at the portable instrument. The instrument is capable of providing specular-included and specular-excluded color readings simultaneously. The interior of the integrating sphere is coated with a highly reflective, color-absorbing material, and light from an incandescent lamp is diffused within the sphere prior to reaching the object to be measured. The sphere is provided with a first aperture which receives spectrally-included light and which is positioned to absorb a spectral component of the diffused source light. A second aperture positioned at a corresponding angular position with respect to the object measures specular-excluded light, excluding the specular component absorbed by the first aperture.

Abstract: A multilayer analytical element for assaying fructosamine, having a liquid-impermeable support, a buffer-containing layer which contains a buffer having pH of 8 to 12 formed on the support, a tetrazolium salt containing layer which is formed on the buffer-containing layer and, optionally, an intermediate layer interposed between the buffer-containing layer and the tetrazolium salt-containing layer to prevent contact of these two layers, which element assays fructosamine in a short time with good accuracy.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for examining samples comprising individual objects (28) of macromolecular or similar size, or smaller, an instrument element (14) comprises a substrate (16) overlaid with a thin film layer (18) of a material that is electrically conductive and/or at last partly optically opaque. A discontinuity comprising an aperture (26) or an asperity is formed in or on the element (14) in a known location, and the sample (28) is brought to this discontinuity so that it is not necessary to search for the sample by scanning. Energy (e.g. electrical energy or light) is applied to the element (14) and, with the latter and the sample in intimate association, e.g. with the sample inside the aperture (26), changes in the radiation from the sample site resulting from the presence of the sample are detected.

Abstract: Methods and device are provided where a device comprising an absorbing nib, an external deformable container and an internal container having a frangible barrier are provided, where the nib and internal container comprise reagents which are interactive with a sample for measuring an analyte.

Abstract: An optical microscope supports a housing having a closed chamber in which a particle to be pyrolyzed is disposed and is exposable to a targeting laser beam for precisely positioning the particle and a power laser beam for heating and pyrolyzing the selected particle. The pyrolysis chamber housing is supported on a heater disposed on the microscope stage for movement into the focal plane of the objective lens and into the beam path of the targeting and power lasers. The lasers are mounted together and, in combination with multiple reflecting mirrors, direct their beams along a common beam path. The lasers are mounted on an adjustable support base for adjusting the position of the beam path along three mutually perpendicular axes.

Abstract: The microphone in a photoacoustic cell that is part of an apparatus for photoacoustic analysis of at least one substance is protected against the harmful effects from the analyzed substance by sonically communicating the microphone with the excitation zone through a waveguide that is at least partly located within the excitation zone. The substance to be analyzed is supplied to the excitation zone, in which zone an acoustic signal is generated by an acoustic frequency modulation of an optical signal directed into the substance in the excitation zone. The substance is prevented from reaching the microphone by supplying a protecting gas to a portion of the waveguide proximate to the microphone.

Abstract: A method for rapidly collecting kinetic rate data from a temperature scanning reactor for chemical reactions. The method, which is particularly useful for studying catalytic reactions, involves ramping (scanning) of the input temperature to a reactor and recording of output conversion and bed temperature without waiting for isothermal steady state to be established.

Abstract: This invention is a process for detecting low concentration levels of sulfur oxides (SO.sub.2) in a flowing gas stream (typically a combustion exhaust gas stream) and a catalytic SO.sub.2 sensor system which may be used in that process.

Abstract: A spectrometer is incorporated to a conventional lensometer. The spectrometer includes a uniform extended light source including a light source having visible and ultraviolet emission and an extending integrating sphere including ultraviolet transmission. In the preferred embodiment, an Ebert spectrometer is utilized, although other spectrometers may be used as well. Light is emitted from the light source through the spectacle lens to be tested to a spherical reflecting surface. Upon reflection, the light is incident to a grating, retro reflected to the spherical surface and thereafter reflected for incidence to a charge coupled device for analysis of the generated spectrum. The system is provided with a slit and a field stop dimensioned so that through all ranges of lenses expected to be tested within designated tolerances of sphere, cylinder and prism, the spectrometer sees only and always a portion of the uniform extended light source.

Abstract: A pipette tip is obtained from molding of a plastic material. At least part of the outer surface of the pipette tip has been treated with a water repellent material. The pipette tip is suitable for applying a predetermined amount of a liquid sample during chemical analyses, particularly for applying a measured amount of a liquid having a small surface tension and a high viscosity.

Abstract: A method for measuring an analyte using a dry analytical element composed of at least a hydrophilic polymer layer and a spreading layer laminated onto a water-impermeable support and to which a liquid sample of the analyte has been supplied, by supplying a measuring reagent solution to the analytical element. The measurement of the analytical element is carried out by optical means.

Abstract: In one configuration, a urine sampler comprises a hollow, cylindrical main stick body that is closed at least at one end and has a plurality of urine collection apertures formed in the wall thereof and, in another, comprises a urine collector having a long rod-shaped handle, a urine collection member constituted continuously with the handle and provided with urine collection apertures and a urine accumulator constituted continuously with the base of the urine collection member, and a urine storage capsule having a cutter for cutting a portion of the urine collector, a urine container for receiving urine flowing in from the urine collector and a lid. In the second configuration, the urine collector and the urine storage capsule are separate units. The urine sampler of either configuration is compact and extremely easy to use for collecting a urine sample of the minimum required quantity and, moreover, enables the collected sample to be safely transferred without spilling.

Abstract: The invention provides an analytical device, and method of using same, for detecting a gaseous or volatile analyte and adaptable to be applied directly to the surface of a solid material from which said analyte is emitted. The device comprises a substrate for disposition adjacent a surface of the solid material, and applied to the substrate are (a) an analyte-reactive component which reacts with said analyte, and (b) an indicator in sufficient quantity to produce a detectable signal selective to the reaction thereby detecting said analyte. The analytical device has no exogenous reagent.

Abstract: In one exemplar embodiment, a chemiluminescent nitrogen detector for detecting chemically-bound nitrogen in an organic compound is provided in which a discrete sample of the organic compound containing the chemically-bound nitrogen is injected into a high temperature furnace where the sample is pyrolyzed at extremely high temperatures in an oxygen rich atmosphere to form nitric oxide. The pyrolysis gases, including nitric oxide is then applied to a drying means for eliminating a substantial quantity of water vapor from the carried pyrolysis gases to insure that the dew point of the gases is below the operating temperature of a nitric oxide and ozone reaction chamber. The nitric oxide and ozone are mixed in a reaction chamber to form metastable nitrogen dioxide which instantaneously relaxes to its ground state with a resulting photo-emission of light energy.