Abstract: Test carrier for the analytical determination of a constituent of a sample fluid by a specific binding reaction between two binding partners having biological affinity. A plurality of test layers is so disposed that they are wetted successively by the fluid and form a fluid transport path, in which one of the test layers is a fixing layer (18) which is a porous carrier matrix. The first of the two binding partners is fixed to the latter. The fluid containing the second binding partner flows through the fixing layer (18), at right angles to its surface, on the test carrier (10).A largely complete binding reaction in an extraordinarily short time is achieved during the flow through the preferably very thin fixing layer (18) by the fact that a microporous plastics layer with a pore size P of at least 0.

Abstract: A batch method and apparatus provides controlled release of gaseous air contaminants into the atmosphere through catalytic oxidation while minimizing both the energy required and the volume of waste gas exhausted into the atmosphere. The device has a recirculating gas stream driven by a recirculation fan which moves gas, normally and naturally present at start-up, through a bed of granular catalyst, in an oxidizer and into contact with the surface of a process-gas heater and back to the recirculation fan. The gaseous contaminants may be drawn into this system using a vacuum pump. Control of catalyst temperature is achieved based upon the novel system configuration, and without the introduction of dilution air, and the contaminant gas is introduced without controlling either flow rate or temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating biological substances, particularly hemoglobin or bilirubin, from blood plasma or serum which involves contacting the plasma or serum with a water insoluble complex of a polymer containing multiple pendant carboxyl groups and copper.

Abstract: A competitive immunoassay to measure Lp(a) levels semiquantitatively and identify individuals with elevated plasma Lp(a) protein levels (greater than 7 mg/dl) who have an increase risk for coronary artery disease. The assay is useful for monitoring the effectiveness of Lp(a)-lowering drugs. The assay provides a quick, reliable, easy to use and inexpensive method to measure plasma Lp(a) level with serum, plasma or whole blood.

Abstract: A method for detecting ischemic states in a patient by contacting a sample of serum, plasma, fluid or tissue with a metal ion capable of binding to metal ion binding sites in the sample to form a mixture, and then detecting the presence of unbound metal ions to determine the occurrence of ischemia.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting blood samples within a capillary tube using a rigid plate member to protect the capillary tube during transport. A magnet is magnetically coupled with and thereby moves a ferrous metal flea within the capillary tube to promote mixing of the blood sample and an anticoagulant chemical coating on the inside of the capillary tube. The magnet is slid along the length of a recessed guide track or guide members to assure that the magnet does not come in contact with the capillary tube with sufficient force to break the capillary tube. The magnet has a central archway through which the capillary tube extends to increase the magnetic coupling between the magnet and the flea and yet prevent contact with the capillary tube. The capillary tube is held within an alignment groove in the rigid plate member. In one embodiment, a holder holds the capillary tube against the rigid plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automated system for testing the sterility of products intended for human health administration or for human consumption. The system permits a plurality of samples of a product to be concurrently tested. To accomplish this, the system includes a novel apparatus for thoroughly mixing therein a plurality of product samples to assure that a statistically meaningful representation of product samples are subjected to sterility testing. The system is arranged so that multiple samples of a product to be tested are deposited in the mixing apparatus after which the mixed samples are conveyed to testing canisters along with appropriate growth media to determine that the product is sterile or that the product is free from microbial contamination.

Abstract: An instrument (28) or other item to be sterilized is supported on a hanger (26) in a decontamination chamber (10). A container such as a sleeve (92), is supported at adjacent ends between supporting rings (90) such that the container surrounds and is displaced from the instrument. A pump (40) recirculates a sterilant or other antimicrobial solution that collects in a lower drain (48) and a reservoir (50) through spray nozzles (70, 96) and connectors (44) which are connected to interior passages of the instrument. In this manner, the internal passages of the instrument are sterilized by the flowing liquid and exterior surfaces are sterilized by sterilant solution mist which condenses on and coats the exterior surface. After the instrument is sterilized, a sterile rinse is sprayed on the instrument and interior of the container. The container and instrument are removed as a unit and the container is closed at its ends to prevent the instrument from becoming microbially contaminated from the ambient air.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a microplate laboratory tray including a frame with a plurality of open top wells disposed in the frame, each of the wells having a bottom attached to four orthogonally joined generally vertical walls, and each pair of adjacent wells being separated by a single common wall. To promote mixing and oxygen transfer, one or more baffles may be disposed on one or more walls.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer includes a flow cell mounted so that flow through the cell and tubing connected to the cell is visible from the front of the housing. The electrolytes to the cell are removably plugged into the cell from their rear. The probe aspirating sample fluid into an injection cell is simultaneously washed by diluent and the diluent mixes with the fluid sample. Waste fluid from the flow cell is fed to a basin which then feeds under gravity to a waste drain. A ratio pump is formed by selected syringes which are band driven to deliver accurately prerequisite volumes of reagents to the flow cell. The solution ground to the system is on the inlet line for sample adjacent the entrance to the flow cell of fluid thereby minimizing electronic noise. Only two motive means are necessary, one to effect horizontal and rotational movement of the sample tray, and a second to effect vertical motion of a crane mounted probe operative between sample cups and an injection cell.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a male end, a female end and an internal chamber defined by a filter adjacent the male and female ends. The cartridge is specifically designed to be stackable with additional cartridges, as the male end of one cartridge can close the female end of a different cartridge. The cartridges are useful in holding samples for analysis.

Abstract: A sensor element includes an analyte-permeable matrix which supports and maintains a sensing solution containing an analyte-sensitive indicator substance in a plurality of tiny vesicles. The sensor element is prepared by combining the sensing solution with an emuslifier that renders the solution dispersed within the matrix material. The sensing solution remains suspended in these dispersed vesicles after the matrix solidifies. A sensor element made in accordance with the present invention may be placed at the end of an optical fiber.

Abstract: An assay cartridge suitable for use with automated analytical instruments which include a conveyor such as a carousel. The cartridge is configured with ledges extending outwardly from sides thereof, preferably at the bottom of the cartridge. The conveyor includes berths for receiving the cartridges, each berth being formed as a depressed region within a top surface of the conveyor and bounded by a floor at the bottom of the berth and opposed sidewalls and an end wall extending upwardly from the floor. The sidewalls are preferably parallel to each other. An open end of the berth, opposite the end wall serves as a port through which the cartridge is inserted and extracted from the berth. Each of the sidewalls of the berth is provided with a shoulder which extends inwardly towards a center line of the berth, and upon insertion of the cartridge, extends over the ledges of the cartridge to serve as a guide. The guide includes grooves formed between the shoulders and the floor.

Abstract: The body portion (A) of a small portable sterilizer has a face panel (46) against which a door (B) is selectively closed. The face panel defines an access opening for a sterilization chamber (10) which receives a cassette (C), an access opening for an anti-microbial concentrate chamber (20) which receives a powdered or other sterilant concentrate, and an outlet opening (50) from a microbe filter which filters microbes from incoming rinse water. The face plate and the door define fluid flow channels (48, 52) therebetween for selectively directing sterilant solutions and rinse solutions among the anti-microbial concentrate chamber, the sterilization chamber, and the microbial filter. The cassette is configured to assure that it is inserted into the sterilization chamber with a unique orientation such that its fluid inlet apertures (114) and outlet apertures (124) are at preselected locations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inexpensive and compact apparatus adapted for use with a .sup.196 Hg isotope separation process and the conversion of anhydrous HCl to aqueous HCl without the use of air flow to carry the HCl vapor into the converter system.

Abstract: An integral multilayer analytical element comprising a reagent layer containing an indicator reagent composition capable of producing a detectable change corresponding to an analyte and a porous spreading layer composed of a fibrous fabric superposed on the reagent layer, wherein the yarn of said fabric comprises fibers having roughed surface, and an integral multilayer analytical element comprising a water-absorptive layer containing a hydrophilic polymer and a porous spreading layer composed of a fibrous fabric containing an indicator reagent composition capable of producing a detectable change corresponding to an analyte superposed on the water-absorptive layer, wherein the yarn of said fabric comprises fibers having roughed surface.The rouging is carried out, for example, by alkali etching.

Abstract: A buffer solution is sampled from a buffer solution vessel and is dispensed into a reaction vessel on a reaction table by first sampling/dispensing means, and a specimen containing an antigen or antibody to be measured is sampled from a specimen vessel and is dispensed into the reaction vessel by second sampling/dispensing means. A reagent containing insoluble carriers to which is bonded an antibody or antigen that specifically reacts with the antigen or antibody in the specimen is sampled from a reagent vessel and dispensed into the reaction vessel by third sampling/dispensing means. The entire reaction table is shaken continuously during mixing of the buffer solution, reagent and specimen, and the reaction vessel is maintained in an isothermal state. A stable antigen-antibody reaction in the resulting reaction solution is thus promoted to form an agglutinate of the insoluble carriers.

Abstract: A mobile disinfection apparatus for hospital waste has a worm conveyor leading from the bottom of the charging shaft at the back of a trailer bed to the mouth of a rotary tube reactor or rotary kiln enclosed in a heated hood which can be subdivided into separately heated zones. The reactor is formed with scoops which lift the waste comminuted in the charging shaft and cause it to cascade to contact the sterilizing medium and the sterilized waste passes into a discharge housing in which the waste is separated from the sterilizing medium which is recycled. The waste can be discharged and compacted by a worm conveyor which can be swung laterally outwardly from its transport position to discharge the waste for further handling like household or municipal waste.

Abstract: In a method of sterilizing micro-organisms, the micro-organisms are subjected to UV radiation, in a wavelength band which kills micro-organisms, while in an atmosphere of inert gas or of ozone.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer includes a flow cell mounted so that flow through the cell and tubing connected to the cell is visible from the front of the housing. The electrolytes to the cell are removably plugged into the cell from their rear. The probe aspirating sample fluid into an injection cell is simultaneously washed by diluent and the diluent mixes with the fluid sample. Waste fluid from the flow cell is fed to a basin which then feeds under gravity to a waste drain. A ratio pump is formed by selected syringes which are band driven to deliver accurately prerequisite volumes of reagents to the flow cell. The solution ground to the system is on the inlet line for sample adjacent the entrance to the flow cell of fluid thereby minimizing electronic noise. Only two motive means are necessary, one to effect horizontal and rotational movement of the sample tray, and a second to effect vertical motion of a crane mounted probe operative between sample cups and an injection cell.