Abstract: A channel or chamber device having means for inhibiting flow of aqueous medium therein after the channel or chamber has been filled with aqueous medium. The device has a channel or chamber with a sample intake port at one end and an exhaust port at the other end. A restricted or reduced size chamber portion having reduced dimension (height, cross-sectional area or diameter) toward the exhaust port is provided with a water-expandable polymer in the restricted or reduced size chamber portion. The water-expandable polymer inhibits flow or forms a seal in the exhaust port when the polymer is contacted with an aqueous medium. The channel or chamber device having means for inhibiting flow of aqueous medium therein is especially adaptable to capillaries used in medical diagnostic measuring devices which contain an analytical reagent for biological fluids, such as saliva and plasma.

Abstract: A blood extracting and receiving container assembly (10) having a coating agent (22) disposed on an interior surface of a blood receiving chamber (12) and an extracting apparatus (14) to effectively isolate a blood specimen from contacting surfaces which would initiate clotting. The coating agent contains molecules which inhibit the activation of blood elements responsible for initiating blood clotting processes. A method for manipulating a blood specimen in vitro in association with the subject blood extracting and receiving assembly (10) includes the steps of coating an interior surface of the extracting and receiving container assembly (10) with nonthrombogenic coating agent (22), and, while coating agent (22) adheres to the interior surface of assembly (10), withdrawing a blood specimen (24) into the assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the demineralization of ground bone particles or pieces of cancellous or cortical bone. The apparatus includes multiple solution reservoirs which supply solutions to be pumped into one or more columns filled with bone samples to be demineralized. Solvent outflowing from the column(s) can be monitored for pH, calcium ion concentration or conductivity as a basis for determining when demineralization is complete. During the delipidization phase of processing, lipid solute can be monitored by photometry, or a small assay of the eluent can be dropped into deionized water to see whether a precipitate develops. Flow through the apparatus, including the types and amounts of solutions to be flowed through the apparatus, can be manually or computer controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel dyes for staining proteins, particularly those in electrophoretic gels. The dyes of the invention are derivatives of Coomassie.RTM. dyes. The invention also provides quantitative and qualitative methods for detecting proteins by staining the proteins with a dye of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for an accurate determination of the concentration of a gas, vapor or a gas dissolved in a sample which compensate for variations in temperature and light - source intensity. The apparatus comprises a sensor containing a fluorescent reagent connected to a transfer optic, such as fiber optics prism or glas pipes, and to a reference sensor containing the same fluorescent reagent. The reference sensor is encapsulated in an environment containing air. The light emitted from the first sensor and the reference sensor is determined and recorded automatically, the concentration of the gas being calculated based on the output from said light detectors using calibration data of the fluorescent reagent present in the sensors. The reagent is immobilized in the sensor by a glue, such as a silicon glue.

Abstract: A device for removing and re-applying a cover to an open container of a liquid aspirated in an analyzer, the device including a plurality of receptacles disposed in an array for holding a plurality of containers of a liquid, a cover for each of the receptacles of a size and shape sufficient to sealingly cover a container in each receptacle, a mechanism for permanently attaching the cover to the receptacle, the mechanism including a retainer of each of the covers that is pivotally mounted on the receptacle and a bi-stable pivot in the device for pivoting and holding the retainer and thus its cover in either a first position in which the cover contacts and closes a container, or a second position in which the cover is held raised away from contact with any container in the receptacle by means of a leaf spring pressed against a cam.

Abstract: An analytical method which comprises sampling a predetermined amount of a liquid sample, bringing the sample to a vapor-liquid equilibrium at a predetermined temperature and pressure, separating the resultant gaseous and liquid fractions from each other, and analyzing the gaseous fraction as a gas sample and the liquid fraction as a liquid sample, and an apparatus for practicing the analytical method. By this method or apparatus, the light and heavy fractions of a substance can be simultaneously analyzed in composition and chemical structure. This enables the modification and the service life of a chemical substance like a lubricating oil, in which the qualities may change with the passage of time, to be estimated or foreseen.

Abstract: An analyzing device, in particular for examining body fluids, with a measuring module, at least one gas feed tube for a calibrating gas, a moistening device for the calibrating gas as well as a washing water tube connectable to the measuring channel of the measuring module, is simplified and improved in that the moistening device for the calibrating gas is integrated in the washing water conduit through a water inlet and a water outlet. The calibrating gas can be led over the water surface in the moistening device and moistened in this way.

Abstract: The fluid transfer device of the present invention is used for example, to provide access to a vacuum tube which is sealed with a stopper. The device has a cylindrical body with a top wall portion and first and second conduits fixed and extending therethrough. The first, or pouring conduit, and second, or pressure equilibrating conduit, extend generally in a parallel manner above and below the top wall portion, and their respective bottom portions are contained within the body of the hollow device. The pair of conduits are constructed and arranged within the body of the device to pierce and enter through the stopper of the sealed container to permit the delivery of fluid. Further, the device has a structure that can be easily and economically manufactured for disposable use.

Abstract: A dry test panel for the testing of samples such as undiluted bodily fluid specimens is disclosed. The panel contains all reagents and components necessary to achieve a visible indication of the presence or absence of a suspect analyte in the sample, and preferred embodiments contain positive and negative controls as well. The device contains an internal chamber into which the specimen is introduced, and which contains all materials necessary for the reactions which produce a color change which is visible on the outer surface of the device. The materials are positioned in the chamber in such a manner that they are activated only when the chamber is filled with the specimen, and the color indicator is concentrated in a thin lamina immediately adjacent to a light-transmitting wall of the device so that a detectable color change occurs in a short period of time to produce a sensitive and yet fast test.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to laboratory apparatus and more particularly to disposable suspended magnetic stirrers. An apparatus having a stirring vessel closure and a stirring vessel is disclosed. The stirring vessel closure includes a suspended magnetic impeller, the elevation of which is adjustable by a moveable bearing. The invention is particularly suitable for applications in which solids must be suspended in a liquid medium with a minimum of shear forces, such as in the suspension of tissue cell cultures in a growing medium. The disclosed stirring vessel closure has inclined access ports to allow improved pipette accessibility to the interior of the stirring vessel while also providing improved close packing of stirring vessels during usage or storage.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dry-type analytical element for immunoassay having at least one water-permeable porous layer and containing a labeled antigen and an antibody to said labeled antigen and to an unlabeled antigen as the components participating in antigen-antibody reaction in said porous layer, which comprises applying or impregnating a first composition containing one of said labeled antigen and said antibody and thereafter applying or impregnating a second composition containing the other of said labeled antigen and said antibody dissolved or suspended in a solvent not dissolving substantially said labeled antigen or said antibody in the first composition onto said porous layer.

Abstract: In order to simplify manufacture of the interior electrode of a polarographic electrode with an electrically insulating shell containing a wire lead and carrying a reactive surface at its front end, which surface is formed by the free cross-sectional areas of wires arranged in the shell and in electrical contact with the wire lead, the wires and the site where they are connected to the wire lead are embedded in a plastic compound filling the front end of the shell.

Abstract: The optical fiber microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer containing an analyte sensitive dye material. The dye indicator material is covalently bonded to a copolymer which is covalently bonded to a blocked polyether polyisocyanate. The resulting polymer is covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use.

Abstract: A method of determining the critical vapor pressure of a hygroscopic material, such as a drug. A drug sample is placed in a substantially isothermal environment. A vapor, such as water vapor, at a given pressure is then placed in the ambient air over the drug. The rate of heat production from this sample at the given water vapor pressure, or the humidity of the air above the sample, is then measured. The water vapor pressure over the drug is gradually increased. Simultaneously, the rate of increase in heat production from the drug sample, or the rate of change of the relative humidity of the air above the drug sample, is measured. A marked increase in the rate of heat production generated by the drug, or a marked change in the relative humidity of the air over the sample, signals the attainment of the critical water vapor pressure.

Abstract: A test device for use in determining analyte wherein binder is supported on a solid support in admixture with a marker whereby the presence and location of binder on the support can be determined prior to the assay. A control for the assay may also be applied to the support in admixture with a label.

Abstract: A pipette tip (30) for use with a pipetter (10) and a method for dispensing a precise volume of a fluid (54). The pipette tip (30) has a hollow body (32), which defines an interior volume (34), and a channel (42) therein having a calibrated volume. Channel (42) extends from an intake opening (44) to an overflow opening (46) positioned inside the interior volume (34) of the tip above a reservoir portion (50) inside the tip. Fluid (54) drawn through the intake opening (44) and into the channel (42) in excess of the calibrated channel volume is gravity-shed or sloughed into an overflow reservoir (50). Thus, a calibrated volume of fluid (54) remains in the channel (42) and can be dispensed accurately from the channel (42). Additionally, the reservoir portion (50) captures and contains the overflow fluid in a stable condition, permitting the reservoir (50) to be used to react various substances (76, 77) with the overflow fluid (56a) inside the pipette tip (30).

Abstract: A method for determining residual oil saturation of a watered-out reservoir using two water soluble tracers having different partition coefficients in oil. The partitioning tracers are selected from the group consisting of tritiated or carbon 14 tagged alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, water and oil insoluble inorganics and organic radioactive isotopes. The tracers are injected into the formation, and their production curves are analyzed over a period of time to determine chromatographic separation of the tracers.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining a blood sample in a test tube from a sealed container. The apparatus includes a main body having a cup-like portion with side walls and a bottom portion cooperating to define a central cavity for receiving the sealed container. The main body also includes provisions which enable mounting to the test tube so that the cup-like portion extends into the test tube. A piercing element is positioned within the cavity and has a tip capable of penetrating the sealed container when the container is inserted into the cavity so that an opening is formed in the container through which the blood sample can be obtained in the test tube.

Abstract: An indicator composition and process capable of changing color in relationship to its exposure to a temperature above and below a base line temperature and to the time of said exposure, for monitoring the time-temperature history of a substrate, depositable as a layer on said substrate, comprising a dispersion of either a binder comprising a reaction inert, neutral finely divided absorbent, in the presence of a reactant comprising a salt of an acid or an organic compound substituted by at least one moiety which, in ionic form, is an anion or a binder/reactant, comprising at least one solid organic polymer whose constituent units contain, as a covalent substituent, at least one moiety which, in ionic form, is an anion; as indicator, at least one acid sensitive pH dye and as activator, at least one base. This composition and process may be utilized to form a solid state device for monitoring integral values of time and temperature during storage of perishables.