Abstract: The present invention is a system for nebulizing sample analyte containing solutions which allows liquid solution and gas entry, and is tyically utilized in combination or integration with an interface for directing sample analyte containing solution which is nebulized. The present invention provides improvement in the form of system design that prevents sample delivery tube component damage, sample solution electrical charging, sample solution "re-nebulization" effects, and sample analyte carry-over memory effects during a present invention method of use for introducing nebulized sample analyte containing solution into, for instance, a mass-spectrometer sample analysis system.

Abstract: Even when the specimen contains human granulocyte elastase in the form of a mixture of free elastase with an elastase-inhibitor complex or complexes, the present invention enables the total quantity of elastase in that specimen to be precisely detected. The inhibitor is added to free elastase to convert it into an elastase-inhibitor complex, whereby the quantity of elastase can be measured by immunoassay as the total amount including the previously existing elastase-inhibitor complex. It is possible to precisely measure the total amount of elastase in mucus collected from the cervical canal of a pregnant woman, sputum or a rinsed solution of bronchovesicular lavage in which free elastase is mixed with an elastase-inhibitor complex.

Abstract: A pH sensor comprising a sleeve assembly having at least first and second spaces, a partition separating the two spaces from each other with a water tight seal, and a barrel including a flange, a reference electrode accommodated in the first space and including a liquid junction, a glass electrode having a sensor unit disposed adjacent to the liquid junction, liquid grounding means mounted adjacent to the liquid junction, and a cable disposed in the second space with a watertight seal, the cable being electrically connected to the reference electrode, glass electrode and liquid grounding means. The pH sensor can be used for continuous flow, immersion or submersion types of installations, and can be fabricated inexpensively and is easily maintained. The sensor unit of the pH sensor can be easily cleaned by a cleaning unit which includes a rotatable shaft to which is connected a vane and a brush at one end.