Abstract: A device for testing body fluids includes (a) a test reagent layer (1) formed on a substrate (5) and containing a test reagent, the tone of which changes according to the content of a test-objective material in a solution to be tested, and (b) a tone layer for criterion (3) formed on the substrate (5) and having a color formed by a dye or the like. The tone layer is used in order to judge the hue of the resulting color of the test reagent layer, wherein both the test layer (1) and the tone layer (3) have the property of absorbing the solution to be tested, and the hue of the resulting color of the test reagent layer and the hue of the tone layer can be compared by their wet colors, thereby affording a highly precise body fluid test.

Abstract: Coagulation related activities are detected in a fluid sample in a plunger sensor cartridge. The cartridge includes a test cell with a reagent chamber and a reaction chamber and a plunger assembly. A reagent drive subassembly forces the contents of the reagent chamber into the reaction chamber. The plunger assembly is raised and released by a plunger lifting subassembly to allow it to descend through the sample of liquid in the bottom of the reaction chamber. A dispenser subassembly automatically meters precise quantities of fluid into the test cells. The plunger lifting subassembly and the reagent drive subassembly are mechanically separate and are controlled separately. Stepper motors are used to provide precise control over the degree, rate and sensitivity of movement of the plunger lifting subassembly, the reagent drive subassembly and the dispensing subassembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials for the detection of ketone and aldehyde analytes in fluid samples by means of reacting analyte containing samples with a first solid matrix material to which a nitroprusside salt is coupled and a second solid matrix material to which an amine is covalently coupled. Methods and devices are also provided for ascertaining the fat catabolism effects of a weight loss dietary regimen comprising determining the breath acetone concentration of the subject.

Abstract: A chemical analysis test device for detection of a selected chemical in a biological fluid is disclosed wherein the test is preformed on a rigid base containing a detection well for holding a reagent and a specimen well for holding a sample of the biological fluid to be tested. The detection well is positioned above a concentration chamber wherein the cross-sectional area of the chamber increases as the distance from the bottom of the detection well increases. A passage connects the concentration chamber to the detection well. The specimen well has a generally hemispherical interior surface and has an opening in the bottom thereof. A strip of wicking material is secured to the base interconnecting the opening in the specimen well and the concentration chamber. A specimen of the biological fluid to be tested is deposited in the specimen well and contacts the wicking material through the opening in the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A sterilization method for a sterile liquid-content packing machine using liquid disinfectant for sterilizing parts of a filler pipe and connecting piping in free communication with the filler pipe requiring sterilization. A preheating heat-storage piping is provided having a capacity for holding a predetermined quantity of heat transferred to the heat piping by passing super heated air therethrough. Spray charging of a predetermined quantity of liquid disinfectant occurs for a predetermined period of time into the super heated air passing through the heat storage piping which results in vaporizing the liquid disinfectant while dropping the temperature of the mixture of vaporized disinfectant steam and super heated air due to the vaporization. The drop in the temperature of the mixture is inhibited by heat stored within the heat storage piping. The mixture is communicated within the connecting piping to be sterilized which extends from the heat storage piping.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is reacted in several catalytic beds having axial-radial or radial flow. Reacted gas is collected at an outlet of a final catalytic bed and is transferred to a reaction heat recovery system situated at a top of a reactor. The reactor includes three catalytic beds, two or more beds having inverted, curved bottoms. A first quenching system is located in the reactor and includes a distributor situated inside a first, upper bed at a location immediately under an unperforated portion of an internal wall of that bed. A gas/gas heat exchanger is located centrally within one or more of two upper beds located within the reactor. A water pre-heater or boiler is located inside an upper bottleneck portion of a shell of the reactor and is fed with reacted gas collected from a lowermost catalytic bed.

Abstract: A method is presented for the accurate quantitative determination of amounts of reactive (water and ethanol) and non-reactive N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) volatiles in graphite-polyimide prepreg samples. The method is also applicable to other condensation-curing and/or solvent-impregnated prepreg systems, regardless of the type of reinforcement. Prepreg samples are heated in a containment chamber and the volatiles are subsequently flushed from the chamber with dry nitrogen gas. The volatiles are condensed, weighed, and analyzed via gas chromatography to determine the volatile composition. The method offers a means of purging the extremely tightly held, relatively non-volatile NMP solvent from the resin matrix by means of high temperatures applied to the sample chamber. The higher volatility reaction products are also captured by means of the specially designed very low temperature condenser. An internal check (collection efficiency) on the accuracy of the results is included in the test method.

Abstract: A system for the electrophoretic analysis of DNA fragments produced in DNA sequencing operations comprising: a source of chromophore or fluorescent tagged DNA fragments; a zone for contacting an electrophoresis gel; means for introducing said tagged DNA fragments to said zone; and photometric means for monitoring said tagged DNA fragments as they move through said gel.

Abstract: An analyzer features an incubator and a whole blood centrifuge, each using a separate rotor, and a serum-dispensing station in between them. A transfer mechanism is also included for moving a container used in the rotor to separate serum from blood cells, out of the rotor to the dispensing station. The serum is then dispensed directly from such container onto a test element, which is transferred to the incubator.

Abstract: A method is provided of selecting operating parameters for a reforming process having at least penultimate and final reforming stages, each containing a respective catalyst, for optimum OB/CD production of product reformate having a selected RON and/or over a particular run length. The catalyst lives are determined at constant LHSV for the penultimate and final stage catalysts for a give feed octane to each stage as a function of the change in RON from that of the feed to that of the C.sub.5 + effluent from the respective stage. The penultimate stage C.sub.5 + effluent RON is selected to be such that the lives of the catalysts in each stage are substantially equal. Preferably the yield of C.sub.5 + effluent from each stage and the life of the catalyst used in each stage is determined as a function of the reforming pressure of that stage. The operating pressures of the stages are then selected to be within about 30% of that which gives the highest OB/CD.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test carrier for the determination of an analyte from whole blood with the help of reagents contained in the test carrier, said test carrier having a blood application side to which blood is applied, an evaluation side on which, as a result of the reaction of the reagents with the analyte, an optically detectable change takes place, and an erythrocyte separation means between the blood application side and the evaluation side, wherein the erythrocyte separation means includes an integral composite having a first zone, which contains a polymeric film former, kieselguhr and a pigment, and thereupon, with formation of a transition region, a second zone containing a polymeric film-former, formed by liquid coating the first zone facing the blood application side and the second zone facing the evaluation side of the integral composite. The present invention also provides a process for the production of this test carrier and a method for analyzing blood samples using it.

Abstract: An optical immunosensing device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a liquid sample is fabricated by coating iron phosphate onto a silicon substrate and then etching the iron phosphate layer to obtain steps of varying thickness. Then, a first mip, capable of immunological reaction with the analyte, is immobilized on the iron phosphate steps. In the preferred embodiment, the first mip is chemically bound to the iron phosphate step surface. The presence of the analyte in the liquid sample is detected by visually observing color changes in the steps after contact of the detection zone with the liquid sample. A change in step color is related to increased thickness which can only result from the binding of the analyte to the first mip immobilized on the iron phosphate step. Aluminum phosphate can also be added to the iron phosphate.

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 cutwardly from sides thereof, preferably at the bottom of the cartridge. The conveyor incudes 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: A passive gas sampling apparatus for detecting an analyte gas, which apparatus includes (1) a shell enclosing an adsorbent and (2) a diffusion tube extending through the shell and having (a) an inlet opening means outside the shell, through which the analyte gas may enter the diffusion tube, and (b) an outlet opening imbedded in the adsorbent inside the shell; and a method for using such apparatus.

Abstract: Surfactants bound to a ligand and dissolved in a single phase aqueous solution form a precipitate when a multivalent antiligand is added to the solution. This invention can be used in an affinity precipitation test procedure (and kit) for detecting the presence or absence of a multivalent antiligand in a sample suspected of containing the multivalent antiligand, in an affinity precipitation inhibition test procedure (and kit) for detecting the presence or absence of a target ligand in a sample suspected of containing the target ligand, and in a process for separating a multivalent antiligand from a crude material containing the multivalent antiligand.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining whether respiratory gas is present in a gaseous sample by which the sample is brought into contact with an indicator which yields an indication within a diagnostically effective period of time of the presence in the sample of carbon dioxide in concentration of at least 2% while an indication of the presence of carbon dioxide in a sample of ambient air would be delayed beyond a predetermined period of time. The method has particular utility in determining the correct placement of an endotracheal catheter in a patient or in the detection of apnea.

Abstract: A novel material and device useful in solid-phase binding assays to determine the presence or amount of an analyte in a test sample, particularly antigens, antibodies, or other ligands or DNA segments. The material and device comprises a reaction site having procedural controls and an analyte binding area capable of being simultaneously contacted by the sample and reagent used in the performance of the assay. The procedural controls and analyte binding areas operate to provide readable results as to the presence or absence of analyte and simultaneously verify the assay procedure and therefore the assay result.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in situ monitoring the viscosity and cure of resins using viscosity dependent fluorescence uses a fiber optic waveguide to introduce light to the resin of a wavelength exciting fluorescence and to conduct the emitted light to a monitor. The emitted light parameters correlate to the viscosity and cure conditions of the resin. The apparatus and method may be used to control composite construction and to provide information on the in service condition of composites.

Abstract: A system for automatically dispensing and diluting an accurate volume of a sample includes a nozzle tip removably mounted on a nozzle for collecting a predetermined volume of the sample. The nozzle includes an inner tube and an outer tube. The system also includes a sample pump for sucking and discharging the sample and the reagent into and out of the nozzle tip, a first three-way valve that is adapted to communicate the reagent bottle with the sample pump or the sample pump with the nozzle, and a plunger pump for sucking and discharging a liquid surface-detecting gas supplied from a gas source. A second three way valve is adapted to communicate the gas source with the plunger pump or the plunger pump with the nozzle, and a pressure sensor is positioned between the second three-way valve and the gas passage in the nozzle. Also, a two-way valve is positioned between the pressure sensor and the gas passage of the nozzle.

Abstract: A technique for passaging liquid through a membrane putatively containing, in its interstices, at least one substance for which detection is desired, comprises positioning donor and acceptor bibulous matrices onto either surface of the membrane and squeezing the resulting sandwich. This technique permits the application of small volumes of reagents or wash to the membranes and the facile recovery of the waste. The subject membranes are obtained, for example, by blotting developed electrophoresis gels or directly by their use as supports for specific binding assays.