Abstract: A device for sampling feces, by which an approximately constant amount of feces can be sampled in simple manner and it is possible to easily identify whether occult blood is present in the feces or not. The device comprises a main container for a liquid for suspending feces in it, a cap arranged at one end of said main container, a separating device for dividing inner spaces of the main container and the cap, a through-hole formed in the separating device, and a collecting stick having a device for collecting feces engaged and inserted in the through-hole, wherein the device for collecting feces is composed of a plurality of hairs and arranged at or near the forward end of the collecting stick, whereby feces collected by the device for collecting feces being composed of the plurality of hairs are passed into the through-hole of the separating device in order to sample an approximately constant amount of the feces.

Abstract: Heretofore, there has been demanded an automatic analysis apparatus which can prevent cross-contamination between reagents, which can prevent dust and gas from entering a reagent supply device, which can always know a remaining quantity of the reagent while can reduce the quantity of waste. According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic analysis apparatus in which a reagent supply device for supplying a reagent from a reagent container into a reaction container is removably attached to the reagent container, a protective door is provided in the reagent supply port in order to aim at preventing dust from entering the reagent supply device, and further the reagent container and the reagent supply device are provided with recording mediums for recording therein conditions thereof, a time of replacement thereof or the like, and which can inform whether the setting is proper or not.

Abstract: A universal apparatus for clinical analysis is provided comprising a base-board having three main levels. The first level holds a terminal for containers of reagents and samples and includes a device for cyclically vibrating individual vials. External graphic marks on vials and bottles and the internal characteristics of the same, such as the level of contents can be read. The second level of the base-board includes a thermostatic block which is provided with a number of grooves which can receive either disposable strips of small analytical containers or analytical cards. An agglutination reader is also provided. The third level carries a centrifuge which receives either strips or cards from a collection head having a clamp for collecting, conveying and placing in position the strips and cards; the head also including a pipetting needle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for rapid analysis of members of a combinatorial library. The apparatus includes a plurality of vessels for containing individual library members and a fluid handling system that apportions a test fluid about equally between each of the vessels. This allows for simultaneous screening of library members by detecting changes in test fluid following contact with individual library members. Fluid flow through each of the vessels is controlled using passive flow restrictors or active flow controllers to ensure that each library member contacts approximately the same amount of test fluid per unit time. The disclosed apparatus is especially useful for screening library members based on their ability to catalyze the conversion of fluid reactants.

Abstract: Tests for elevated pH and volatile amines in aqueous fluids are disclosed, including tests useful in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and in other biological conditions. By using formulated indicators and indicators held in matrices that are permeable to gas but not to liquid, the tests provide clear and sharp transitions detectable by visual or machine-readable device rather than by subjective judgments such as small gradations in color or olfactory determinations. The tests lend themselves readily to iconic readouts of the test indications and to the inclusion of positive and negative controls.