Abstract: A test kit for performing a diagnostic procedure. The kit comprises a plastic base which has an upper surface. The base is formed from a plastic material and a plurality of upwardly opening nests are provided in the upper surface of the base. A test component is provided in each of the nests in a manner such that the components may be displayed and made available for use. The test components are preferably displayed in essentially the plane of the upper surface of the base and an instruction booklet is provided so as to overlie the test components at the beginning of the procedure. The arrangement of the components and the size and shape of the pages of the booklet are such that as the user follows the instructions and turns pages in the booklet, components remain hidden from view until needed in conducting the procedure. The pages of the booklet are progressively shorter from front to back in the booklet so that as the pages are turned components of the kit come into view as needed.

Abstract: A disposable, pre-packaged device as particularly suitable for conducting diagnostic procedures based on immunological reactions using specimens gathered up in the absorbent tip of a swab. The device is made up of a base component upon which a sample sensitive element is mounted and a guide member that is normally mounted on the base component in covering relationship to the reactive element. The guide member includes structure which defines an elongated passageway extending therethrough. One end of the passageway is positioned in close proximity to the sensitive element when the member is mounted on the base component. The other end of the passageway opens outwardly of the guide member. In using the device, the swab tip is pushed through the passageway and toward the sensitive element using the stick of the swab. A number of ribs are positioned in the passageway adjacent the sensitive element to squeeze the tip and express fluid therefrom as the tip is pushed toward the sensitive element.

Abstract: A vessel containing a polymeric acid is used in a method and test kit for extracting a bacterial (e.g., streptococcal) antigen from a test sample, for example, preliminary to an immunoassay. To extract the antigen from bacteria in the sample, a precursor reagent is applied to the vessel acid and incubated with the sample. The kit includes a vial containing the acid and another vial containing the precursor. The kit is produced by including the acid polymer in the vial or vessel, e.g., as a pellet or coating.

Abstract: A novel composition of matter comprising a polyacrylic acid/chitosan complex. This complex is particularly useful as a membrane or filter.

Abstract: A multilayer element for the analysis of a liquid containing an analyte comprising a reaction layer which retains a predetermined amount of a diffusible reagent containing a detectable species; said reagent adapted to be rendered substantially non-diffusible by said analyte as a function of the concentration of said analyte; a registration layer adapted to receive reagent diffusing thereto; means for detecting said reagent in said registration layer and an insulating layer intermediate said reaction layer adapted to provide discrimination between detectable species in said reagent layer and said registration layer.

Abstract: A dichroic light polarizer comprising a sheet of molecularly oriented polyacrylic acid/chitosan complex having incorporated therein a dichroic dye.

Abstract: Silver-precipitating nuclei are prepared by partially oxidizing a stannous salt reducing agent with a ferric oxidizing agent and then reducing a noble metal salt or complex with said reducing agent.

Abstract: Noble metal silver-precipitating nuclei are prepared by reducing a noble metal salt or complex in the presence of a first polymer with a Sn.degree. colloid formed by the non-aqueous borohydride reduction of a tin salt in the presence of an organic solvent for the tin salt and a nitrogen-containing metal chelating polymer. The invention is also directed to film units employing said nuclei.