Abstract: The operation of a fluid-bed reactor in which the catalyst has a proclivity to stickiness deleterious to efficiently carrying out a reaction of the gaseous components fed to the reactor, is controlled by monitoring the fluctuations in temperature at various locations in the bed, and computing the standard deviation of temperature at predetermined intervals of time. When the fluid-bed consists essentially of a supported catalyst performing at peak efficiency, near which it has a proclivity to "stickiness", slight fluctuations, less than 1.degree. F., of operating temperature are correlatable to the quality of fluidization and the risk of an uncontrollable upset in the reactor.

Abstract: There is described an analyzer for determining analytes of a body liquid, in which stacks of test elements are stored prior to use. To control the level of humidity in which the stacks are stored, first and second compartments are provided with access openings connecting them to the stack-storage area. A mechanism is provided for selectively closing off and opening up the access openings, and for actively forcing air to flow from either of the compartments into the storage area. One of the compartments has a supply of water, and the other has a desiccant.

Abstract: This device measures the level of a certain chemical in a liquid infiltrated into a piece of test paper impregnated with a test chemical the optical properties of which alter according to the level of the certain chemical. It includes: a test paper holder, provided in a test paper insertion unit provided in a casing; a device for emitting light and a device for sensing light, both provided to oppose a piece of test paper held by the holder; a cover, slidably mounted to the casing, for selectably covering over the insertion unit; a device for biasing this cover in one direction; a device for engaging this cover in an extreme position in the opposite direction; and a device for releasing the engagement of the engaging device. This engagement releasing device may be a press button provided to the casing; and the sliding direction of the cover may be its opening direction of movement, or alternatively may be its closing direction of movement.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus comprises a slide conveyor for conveying an electrolyte determination slide to a predetermined position, and a sample applicator for taking up and applying a liquid sample and a reference solution onto the electrolyte determination slide conveyed to the predetermined position. An incubator incubates the electrolyte determination slide on which the liquid sample and the reference solution have already been applied, and a measurement device measures a difference in potential between the liquid sample-applied portion and the reference solution-applied portion of the electrolyte determination slide. The sample applicator is provided with a sample applying nozzle used for both the application of the liquid sample and the application of the reference solution. A washing region is provided for washing the sample applying nozzle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved autoradiography enhancer composition and method of use. The enhancer composition uses an acid anhydride as a dehydration agent.

Abstract: A test kit and method of determining fetal pulmonary maturity which method comprises visually comparing a test amniotic fluid with selected positive and negative control samples and which test kit includes selected positive and negative control samples for comparison purposes.

Abstract: An analyzer and sample trays are disclosed which permit more random sampling of patient samples than is conventional. The trays are open at the sides, and preferably include flags for sensing, and structure on the bottom wall for releasibly engaging a conveyor. The analyzer provides a separate linear track for each of the trays, in which the trays are mounted, and another conveyor for reciprocating each of the trays within its respective track and to a position that intersects a path taken by a moving aspirating and dispensing station.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus comprises a sample accommodating region, a refrigerator for keeping cool a long test film containing a reagent which reacts with a liquid sample to give rise to a change in optical density, and a test film conveyor for sequentially pulling out the long test film from the refrigerator. A sample applicator takes up the liquid sample from the sample accommodating region and applies it to the long test film at the position to which the long test film has been pulled out of the refrigerator. An incubator maintains the sample-applied portion of the long test film at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. A detector irradiates light to the sample-applied portion of the long test film, and measures the optical density given rise to by the reaction during or after the passage of the predetermined time.

Abstract: An improvement to an apparatus for receiving a sample of biological fluid containing non-fluid components. Prior art sample cell for use in conjunction with prior art analytical apparatus comprises two slidably engaged members, first member comprising a reservoir for holding fluid sample to be tested, second member adapted to receive fluid from an external filter in one section and adapted to receive reagent and exhibit reaction in another section. The improvement comprises means for preventing smearing of fluid when members are moved relative to each other. A channel collects overflow from reservoir in first member, conducting overflow to a barrier placed in gap between first and second member. A wiper shears excess fluid from behind barrier, generally out of gap between first and second member, when the first and second members are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A liquid sampling device is provided for periodic aseptic removal of samples of a source liquid to be analyzed, comprised of a primary liquid conduit tube closed at one end and, at the other end, adapted to be in liquid communication with a principal or secondary flow line through which the source liquid flows or is arranged to flow, and a plurality of separate sample conduit tubes emanating from and in liquid communication with the primary liquid conduit tube, one end of each sample conduit tube being adapted to withdraw therethrough a sample of the source liquid. The device is configured such that, after a sample is taken through a particular sample conduit tube, that tube can be isolated or removed from the system, and subsequent samples are taken successively from remaining sample conduit tubes in the same manner.

Abstract: A process for forming derivatives of organic compounds as a step during their analysis. A macroreticular resin is used as both an adsorbent for the analyte and the derivatizing reagent and also as a catalyst for the derivatization reaction. Subsequent serial elution of the absorbed compounds leads to simple separation of the derivatized analyte from the starting materials. Further, the resin impregnated with derivatizing reagent can be used to combine the extraction and derivatization of the analyte. As macroreticular resins are relatively inexpensive, they result in reduced costs compared with conventional catalysts, and their ease of separation from liquid systems makes them easy to use and makes it possible to automate the procedure.

Abstract: A method and kit for determination of subsets of leukocytes utilizing flow cytometry analysis techniques.

Abstract: A method of testing the effect of an agonist or an antagonist to B lymphocyte cell surface protein CD20 on B lymphocyte function which involves determining calcium ion flux across the B lymphocyte membrane, contacting the B lymphocyte with the agonist or antagonist, and determining the change in calcium ion flux across the membrane after exposure of the B lymphocyte to the agonist or antagonist, is described. In preferred embodiments of the method the agonist or antagonist is a ligand that binds CD20 or an antibody to CD20.In other preferred embodiments, calcium ion flux is more preferably determined in terms of transmembrane current flow and most preferrably determined in terms of the change in cytosloic CA.sup.2+ concentration.

Abstract: A blood sample is prepared by combining a fluorescently tagged monoclonal antibody with blood cells. The sample is then passed through a flow cytometer and light scattered by each blood cell in two directions is sensed simultaneously by a single sensor. Lymphocytes are discriminated from other cells by using an intensity distribution of the total scattered light. Then, by using a distribution of fluorescent light intensity of each cell thus discriminated, the cells in a lymphocyte subclass of interest are enumerated with a high accuracy. The data acquired are utilized in diagnosing immunological incompetence or the like.

Abstract: A reagent for reticulocyte counting by flow cytometry which comprises two solutions, namely, a stock solution for staining in which a dye is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, and a buffer solution which satisfies the optimum staining conditions.By combining these two solutions immediately before measurement, a stable final staining solution for reticulocyte counting can always be obtained.

Abstract: An improved test unit is provided for use in the collection and analysis of biological specimens and the like. The specimen test unit includes a swab member adapted for collection of a specimen to be tested. The test unit incorporates one or more reagents or other test fluids for delivery into contact with the specimens on the swab member. In accordance with various embodiments, the contacted specimen and fluid are then delivered through one or more porous filter members for analysis and/or to contact an additional reagent or reagents in the course of performing a selected test. In some forms, one or more of the porous filter members in preimpregnated with a selected reagent or constituent thereof. Moreover, in some forms, one or more of the porous filter members is formed from a hydrophobic material to serve as a fluid seal until fluid is forced therethrough, for example, by squeezing a reagent-containing housing member of the test unit.

Abstract: A fluid testing apparatus including a specimen cup and a cover having a reagent portion which is color sensitive to an analytical characteristic.

Abstract: A multi-item automatic chemical analyzer comprising a reagent delivery system for delivering a plurality of reagents of different kinds into reaction vessels in succesion is disclosed. The influence of contamination between the reagents upon measurement is reduced or eliminated by controlling the reagent delivery system with a control system comprising a memory unit for storing information representing a relation of the test items, particularly the influence of contamination between the reagents upon the measurement, and a center process unit for controlling the operation of reagent delivery system in accordance with the stored information.

Abstract: A reagent for reticulocyte counting by flow cytometry characterized in that it contains a carbonate salt.If a blood sample is left exposed to ordinary air, non-specific staining of erythrocyte can be prevented with the addition of not less than about 1 mM of NaHCO.sub.3.

Abstract: A bioassaying device for carrying out an experiment with a subject placed under a transparent portion of a base plate. The subject is irradiated with light rays emitted from light-emitting ends of three fiber optic cables. One of the three fiber optic cables radiates light rays containing plenty of the red color-spectrum component, another cable radiates the blue component and the remaining cable radiates the green component. Each of the fiber optic cables is provided with a mechanism for adjusting its inclination angle simultaneously with vertical movement of a moving plate upon which the fiber optic cables are mounted.