Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.

Abstract: An analytical instrument has a sample handler for inputting racks of containers, including various types and sizes of test tubes, both capped and uncapped, and inserts, into the instrument. The sample handler has an infeed, an outfeed and a cross-feed between the infeed and outfeed. The infeed and outfeed advance the racks of containers using walking beam mechanisms which lift the racks by tabs on the right and left sides of the rack, which are positioned at a substantially identical height. Racks input into the infeed are transferred by the walking beam mechanism to a track on the cross-feed. They are then pushed, by a transport subassembly having a platform with pivotable pusher fingers to cam the rack and to push it in only one direction, from behind the infeed to a fixed position behind the outfeed.

Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.

Abstract: An automatic decapper removes caps from capped test tubes by gripping the cap on a test tube with the upper grippers and holding the cap stationary while the test tube is rotated and translated downward with lower grippers. In a preferred embodiment, the upper grippers comprise three jaws coupled to a cam to be moved, as appropriate, from a first position in which a test tube cap may be inserted between the jaws to a second position in which the jaws grip the inserted cap. The upper grippers are mounted to a decapping arm that is pivotable between a first position above the lower grippers, in which the decapping takes place, to a second position above the exterior of the decapper, where it remains while the test tube is inserted into or removed from the lower grippers and where a removed cap may be released into a container for disposal or reuse. The lower grippers comprise a pair of lever arms for holding the test tube.

Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.

Abstract: The sample rack for holding sample tubes includes a front shell and a rear shell co-joined together in clam shell arrangement. The rack includes tube receiving chambers, each of which has a tube engagement cradle that is arranged to engage a surface portion of a sample tube inserted in the tube receiving chamber. Portions of the tube engagement cradle are formed on each of the front and rear shells and the co-joining of the shells completes the structure of the tube engagement cradle. Each tube receiving chamber also includes a depending biasing spring leg that urges the sample tube toward the tube engagement cradle. The rack also includes spring mount portions for supporting biasing springs that incorporate the biasing spring legs. Segments of the spring mount portion are also formed on each of the front and rear shells and the co-joining of the shells completes the structure of the spring mount portion.

Abstract: Substantially spherical polymer particles containing a colloidally, stably and uniformly dispersed magnetically responsive substance of about 5 nm to about 500 nm in diameter provide a superparamagnetic reagent carrier. Preferably, the polymer particles have a hydrated diameter of about 0.5 to 100 um, the polymer is a non-ionic cross-linked polyacrylamide gel and the magnetically responsive substance is iron oxide granules. The magnetically responsive substance may be present in an amount so that the polymer particles have a specific gravity of between 1.2 and 2.7. The reagent carrier is prepared by swelling polymer particles in a solution of iron salt so that substantially all of the iron salt solution is taken upon by the polymer particles and then converting the iron salt in situ to insoluble colloidally dispersed iron oxide granules.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is polystyrene, or a copolymer comprising styrene and a comonomer or comonomers.Y is selected from the group comprising nitro, acyl, carboxyl, formyl, cyano, carbalkoxy, sulfone, carboxyamide, or halogen; andR is hydroxy, aryloxy, alkoxy, halogen, formyloxy, acyloxy, cyano, amino, substituted amino, carboxyamine, thiol, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio or acylthio, useful in peptide synthesis.

Abstract: A method for forming vesicles is described, wherein a lipid coating is formed onto a deformable surface. During hydration, the lipid coating is fragmented by deformation of the surface. The resulting fragments of the lipid coating are dispersed in the hydrating medium, so as to be subjected to multidirectional hydration, whereby formation of vesicles is accelerated. In the preferred embodiment, such surface is defined by a plurality of water-swellable particles formed of a polymeric material.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of peptides including higher polypeptides utilizing indenylmethoxycarbonyl blocking groups and products produced thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymers of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is polystyrene, or a copolymer comprising styrene and a comonomer or comonomers.Y is selected from the group comprising nitro, acyl, carboxyl, formyl, cyano, carbalkoxy, sulfone, carboxyamide, or halogen; andR is hydroxy, aryloxy, alkoxy, halogen, formyloxy, acyloxy, cyano, amino, substituted amino, carboxyamine, thiol, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio or acylthio, useful in peptide synthesis.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of peptides including higher polypeptides utilizing indenylmethoxycarbonyl blocking groups and products produced thereby.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of peptides including higher polypeptides utilizing indenylmethoxycarbonyl blocking groups and products produced thereby.