Abstract: A method is disclosed of assaying circulating microparticles contained in a sample of whole blood or blood plasma from a patient to determine the patient's ability to generate thrombin or Factor Xa as blood-clotting factors, wherein the circulating microparticles are microparticles of platelets, endothelial cells, monocytes, and smooth muscle cells, which carry on their surfaces both negatively charged phospholipids as well as tissue factor. The results of the assay may be used to determine the ability of the patient to generate thrombin or Factor Xa as blood clotting factor based upon the circulating microparticles.

Abstract: Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.

Abstract: A device for the separation of small particles or cells from a fluid suspension of the same is described. The device includes a coaxial tubular design in which the inner tube is a micro porous tube that allows the passage of liquids and certain particulates up to a certain size cut-off, and the outer tube allows for the collection of passed fluids. Inlet and outlet ports allow the introduction and flushing of components of interest. Embodiments of the device can be used for the separation of blood components, the sequestering of micro spheres used in micro-sphere-based immuno assay, and sample filtration. Other applications are not precluded. Another field of application for this device is in the separation of plasma from red blood cells. The red blood cells will not pass through the membrane due to their size, but plasma will.

Abstract: A method for determining prothrombin time of a plasma or whole blood sample includes measuring prothrombin time for at least two different dilutions for a test sample to determine tmin or INRmin. The prothrombin time for at least two different dilutions for normal plasma is measured to determine tmin or INRmin values for normal plasma. Next, tPivka or INRPivka values are calculated by subtracting the value for normal plasma from the value for the test sample. The Pivka corrected prothrombin time for the test sample is calculated by subtracting tPivka or INRPivka from the prothrombin time measured for the test sample.

Abstract: A multichannel system for classifying particles according to one or more characteristics of the particles includes a plurality of flow cytometry units. Each flow cytometry unit is operable to classify particles in a mixture of particles by interrogating a stream of fluid containing particles using a beam of electromagnetic radiation. Each flow cytometry unit has a sensor operable to generate a time-varying output signal indicative of at least one characteristic of the particles in the stream of fluid as the stream of fluid is interrogated by the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The flow cytometry units share an integrated platform and perhaps even a common processor for receiving and processing information from the units. The common processor is programmed to receive the time-varying output signals from the flow cytometry units substantially continuously and to process the output signals.

Abstract: A hemostasis analyzer, such as the Thrombelastograph® (TEG®) hemostasis analyzer is utilized to measure continuously in real time, the hemostasis process from the initial fibrin formation, through platelet-fibrin interaction and lysis to generate blood hemostasis parameters. The measured blood hemostasis parameters permit preparation of an individualized assessment of ischemic event risk and individualized treatment of a subject.

Abstract: A linearity control system includes a series of linearity control compositions, each thereof includes white blood cell analogs and stabilized red blood cells in a suspension medium. The concentration of the white blood cell analogs in the series of control compositions increases from 0.2×103 to 800×103 analogs per microliter, and the concentration of the white blood cell analogs in at least one control composition is greater than 120×103 analogs per microliter. The stabilized red blood cells facilitate mono-dispersion of the white blood cell analogs in the suspension medium by gently mixing. The control compositions further include platelet analogs, or additionally include reticulocyte and/or nucleated red blood cell analogs. The linearity control system allows the verification of the reportable measurement range and linearity of the measurements of hematology analyzers for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in extended concentration ranges.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for analyzing hair, particularly for determining the amount of damage to hair, including placing hair into a solution containing at least one metal ion so that an amount of the metal ion is attached to the hair, removing the hair from the solution, determining the amount of metal ion attached to the hair, and determining the amount of damage to the hair based upon the amount of metal ion attached to the hair.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a containment device having a flexible first layer and a flexible second layer sealed together to form a hermetically sealed reservoir. The surface area of contact between the first and the second layers can define a frame about the perimeter of the reservoir. The containment device can also include a porous pad located within the reservoir, and a liquid control solution configured to mimic a physiological fluid contained within the porous pad within the reservoir. The containment device can include a third flexible layer presenting a liquid holding surface for a user. A portion of the first and/or second layers can function as a frangible seal that is configured to be torn away by a user.

Abstract: A bilirubin sensor has a working electrode with a first chemical matrix disposed thereon that contains a binder, a substrate electrode with a second chemical matrix dispose thereon that contains a binder and a chemical agent that consumes bilirubin, a reference electrode, a sample chamber containing the working electrode, the substrate electrode and the reference electrode, and a method of measuring bilirubin in a body fluid.

Abstract: To increase the adhesion strength of coagulated blood on a surface by increasing the surface interaction of blood-inherent components like fibrin/fibrinogen and thrombocytes it is described to treat the surface by exposing it to ionized atoms or molecules. The surface treatment according to the invention is applied on plastic disposables used in blood diagnostics (e.g. hemostasis analysis) as well as medical implants like artery sealings. The improved blood clot adhesion results in higher diagnostic security due to reduced measurement failure (e.g., for patients with increased thrombocyte content) and in better significance of special tests (e.g., hyperfibrinolysis diagnosis).

Abstract: The present invention lies in the field of coagulation diagnosis and relates to a procedure for the standardization of coagulation tests, where calibrators are used to which a discrete standard coagulation time is assigned. The procedure is particularly suitable for the standardization of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, ecarin time or batroxobin time.

Abstract: Described are determination procedures for fibrinogen and/or fibrinogen-derivatives by matrix-independent turbidimetry. In the FIFTA called procedure the fibrinogen activity is preferably determined in an undiluted sample by addition of thrombin and/or albumin, as well as polybrene if appropriate, in PBS and determination of the increase in absorbance at 405 nm. In the FIATA called procedure the fibrinogen-concentration and/or the concentration of fibrinogen-derivatives is preferably determined by addition of vancomycin and determination of the increase in turbidity at 405 nm. It is standardized by usage of plasma standards of known fibrinogen-activity and/or fibrinogen-concentration.

Abstract: A hemostasis analyzer, such as the Thrombelastograph® (TEG®) hemostasis analyzer is utilized to measure continuously in real time, the hemostasis process from the initial fibrin formation, through platelet-fibrin interaction and lysis to generate blood hemostasis parameters. The measured blood hemostasis parameters permit evaluation of a patient hemostasis condition.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing an analytical standard used for microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis which includes: a mixing step in which an element is added to a base material, and the base material and the element are mixed by stirring to obtain a mixed solution; a deaeration step in which the mixed solution is deaerated; a freeze step in which the mixed solution is slowly frozen; and a cutting step in which a thin section is cut out from the frozen mixed solution. In order to surely remove bubbles from the mixed solution, the deaeration step may contain a stationary step in which the mixed solution is allowed to stand still at room temperature; or the stationary step includes a removal step in which gas contained in the mixed solution which is allowed to stand still is removed with a suction apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing an acute cardiovascular event and for differentiating between an acute cardiovascular event and chronic heart failure based on measuring a cardiac troponin and a natriuretic peptide in a sample from a patient and comparing the measured amounts with reference amounts, as well as devices and kits for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reference solution for use in instruments that determine hematocrit levels in biological samples by measuring the resistance and/or conductivity of the biological samples. A reference solution according to the invention achieves conductivities representative of known hematocrit levels in blood, while maintaining tolerable levels of interference with the measurement of other analytes in the reference solution.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system (1) for sorting haploid cells, specifically irradiatable sperm cells, with an intermittingly punctuated radiation emitter (56). Embodiments include a beam manipulator (21) and even split radiation beams directed to multiple nozzles (5). Differentiation of sperm characteristics with increased resolution may efficiently allow differentiated sperm cells to be separated higher speeds and even into subpopulations having higher purity.

Abstract: A specimen testing device having a folding top having a top inside and a top outside; a back portion having a back inside and a back outside, the back portion in folding communication with the folding top; a front portion in folding communication with the back portion and the folding top covers at least a portion of the front portion when the front portion is in a folded closed position; a reagent test sheet in communication with at least a portion of the back portion; at least one enclosed bubble containing developer attached to at least one of the back portion and the front portion, wherein a fecal sample is placed on the reagent test sheet and the at least one enclosed bubble is pierced to release the developer to the fecal sample to indicate the presence of fecal occult blood.