Abstract: A sample digester with independently controllable sample heating and ultraviolet radiation. There are two unique advantages. Because the two digestion means are independent, the user can optimize the means of digestion to suit the analytical method. A second advantage is that the ultraviolet source can be maintained at a relatively cool temperature, for which the greatest amount of light is transmitted. Since both means of digestion can be carried out simultaneously, there is a substantial saving of time and a significant improvement in digestion efficiency.

Abstract: An analytical system for solutions containing soluble solids or high concentrations of dissolved solids. The system includes a container having upper and lower portions; a lead an/or a tubing line extending into the upper portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a gas in the upper portion of the container; and a sampling probe extending into the lower portion of the container, for withdrawing a portion of a sample of a liquid or of a mixture of a liquid and a solid. The sampling probe is a probe support shaft which may be provided with a filter for separating liquid and solid phases from one another if the sample is a liquid-solid mixture. Gas in the headspace above the liquid or the liquid-solid mixture can be withdrawn through the lead and/or the tubing line.

Abstract: A flow cell for chemiluminescence analysis. The flow cell has a flat, thin, opaque plate, with a groove machined into one side of the plate. An inlet port at the center, and an outlet port at the outside end of the groove pass through the plate, which is sandwiched between a flat sapphire window and a cell cap of a housing. The groove side faces the sapphire window, forming a flow channel with one wall being the sapphire window. A light detector is inserted into the housing until it butts up against that part of the housing holding the sapphire window, placing it very close to the generated light. The other side of the plate mates with inlet and outlet ports of the housing cap.

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 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 total and bound plasma bilirubin. The method utilizes zone fluidics to enable accurate determination of the bilirubin using small volumes of sample and reagents, and significantly reduces dilution errors caused by inherent changes in bilirubin-binding with sample dilution, as well as the effects of weak bilirubin-binding competitors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automation of existing medical diagnostic tests is described. This method, called sequential injection analysis, makes use of a pump, multi-position selection valve, and micro-bore tubing to automate sample manipulation and reagent addition. A suitable detector with a flow cell also forms part of the flow manifold and this detector is used to measure some parameter that can be related to the desired diagnostic measurement. A reagent cartridge suitable for storing and reconstituting lyophilized reagent or reagent concentrate is also described. Use of such a reagent cartridge further enhances the automation of the device by providing a means for preparing reagents in an automated fashion. Automation of the measurement sequence and the sequencing of tests are controlled by a suitable central processor unit and software. The apparatus provides a means of automating existing manual diagnostic tests and as yet, undefined tests.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sequential injection liquid-liquid extraction analysis. Under the control of a bidirectional precision pump, a stream-selection valve, and a microprocessor, a series of liquid zones is built up in a holding/mixing coil. The liquid zones are transferred from the holding/mixing coil to a separation cell. After phase separation into an extract and a raffinate, the extract is withdrawn from the separation cell and sent to a detector, which determines the amount of a component which was extracted from a sample by an extraction solvent. The principal advantages of this automated technology are elimination of the need for dynamic phase separation; on-line pre-extraction chemical conditioning; a substantial reduction in solvent, reagent, and sample usage; and a similar substantial reduction in waste generation.

Abstract: An in-line filter probe for process analysis. The probe, which has a U-shaped porous tube mounted on a support and sealed at the tube's midsection, is placed in a process stream to provide filtered samples of the stream.

Abstract: An in-line filter probe for process analysis. The probe, which has a U-shaped porous tube mounted on a support and sealed at the tube's midsection, is placed in a process stream to provide filtered samples of the stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sequential injection liquid-liquid extraction analysis. Under the control of a bidirectional precision pump, a stream-selection valve, and a microprocessor, a series of liquid zones is built up in a holding/mixing coil. The liquid zones are transferred from the holding/mixing coil to a separation cell. After phase separation into an extract and a raffinate, the extract is withdrawn from the separation cell and sent to a detector, which determines the amount of a component which was extracted from a sample by an extraction solvent. The principal advantages of this automated technology are elimination of the need for dynamic phase separation; on-line pre-extraction chemical conditioning; a substantial reduction in solvent, reagent, and sample usage; and a similar substantial reduction in waste generation.

Abstract: A pulseless, reversible, precision piston-array pump. The pump head has a cylindrical body which rotates inside a cylindrical casing. A cam cap closes one end of the pump body, and a port cap the other end. The cam cap has on its interior surface a groove which controls the timing and depth of the piston strokes. The port cap has on its interior surface an inlet valve groove and an outlet valve groove to provide the valving action which controls the direction of fluid flow. At all times during the operation of the pump, at least one piston is in a compression mode; At least one piston is in a suction mode; and at least one piston is in a null mode, performing neither compression nor suction while moving across the port cap. This design decouples the rotary movement of the cylindrical body from the linear movement of the pistons, to provide pulseless flow for the pump.

Abstract: A method for merging and/or ratio-blending aliquants from two different streams in a first channel, and utilizing a second channel to propel merged and blended aliquants through a separate, pumped carrier channel by providing a pump comprising a plurality of pistons, a plurality of inlet ports, a plurality of outlet ports, a cam cap having cam profiles which controls timing and depth of strokes of the pistons, and a port cap having a plurality of valve grooves which control a direction of fluid flow.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing plastic membrane tubing of a selected length, wall thickness and inner diameter from a commercially-available tubing while retaining tubing end portions which are readily connected by conventional tubing connections to the tubing leads for an associated analytical apparatus, involving a controlled heating and a rapid stretching of the heated tubing by fixing a first end of the tubing and application of a constant tensile force to a second end of the tubing to stretch the tubing a desired amount.

Abstract: A method for monitoring oil-drilling mud. A supported capillary membrane (SCMS) device having a support member, a capillary membrane permeable to hydrocarbons, and flights on the surface of the support member within which the capillary member is supported is disposed in a stream returning mud from a drill hole to the surface of an oil well. A stream of inert gas is passed through the SCMS device, thereby entraining hydrocarbon vapors in the gas stream and providing a sample of the hydrocarbons associated with the oil-drilling mud. The hydrocarbon-laden gas stream is input to an analytical instrument such as a gas chromatograph capable of identifying and quantitatively determining the concentrations of the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A membrane-based fluid separations apparatus, comprising an outer vessel or outer vessel assembly having an opening defined therein, a probe member inserted through and secured in the opening and having a groove defined therein, and a tubular membrane supported in the groove in the probe member and defining first and second ends which can be placed in fluid communication with a source of a fluid from which a species is to be selectively removed and a desired destination for fluid from said membrane, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a given compound or changes in the concentration of such compound from a baseline concentration by means of a solid phase, film electrolyte, and being operable in a dissociative, galvanic or amperometric mode.

Abstract: A spectroscopic detector cell which is particularly suited to the analysis of low flowrate and small volume liquid samples in micro-flow injection analysis or titration and microbore, high pressure liquid chromatography, wherein interference from bubbles in the flow path of the light passing through the cell is substantially eliminated by using a serpentine coil of small-bore, transparent(to the light employed for a given analysis), overlapping tubing for carrying the liquid to be analyzed at a high enough velocity to sweep away any otherwise interfering bubbles that might be formed in the liquid, and by immersing the coil in a second fluid (a gas or a liquid) which possesses the same refractive index as the tubing material and which also is transparent to the light employed for a given analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in determining the presence and/or concentration of one or more selected materials in a given stream or aggregation in a conduit or vessel, the apparatus comprising (a) a support member constructed from a thermally conductive material and having a first, internal end for inserting into the stream or aggregation when the apparatus is placed in service and a second end positioned externally of the conduit or vessel in use, wherein the support member defines a groove therein of which at least a portion extends into the stream or aggregation in use, (b) a conduit positioned and supported substantially wholly within at least that portion of the groove in the support member which extends into the stream or aggregation in use, and (c) a temperature monitoring device positioned within the support member, whereby the temperature of the conduit/stream or aggregation interface may be measured by thermal conduction from the supporting groove portion of the support member to the temperature monitoring

Abstract: An apparatus for the quantitative determination of chlorine in a fluid environment, comprising a flat ion exchange membrane-based sensor which utilizes a layer of an electrochemically inert hydrated salt or combination of such salts to provide water for the reduction of such chlorine to chloride ion, and the detection of chlorine by such reduction.