Abstract: A device including a shallow chamber for analyzing a target analyte in a body fluid using the signal generated by fluorescent detector molecules specific for the target analyte and attenuating the signal emitted by fluorescent detector molecules non-specifically bound to the surfaces of the chamber by a signal attenuating dye; and method thereof.

Abstract: An analytical instrument for the immobilization of antigens to be detected in an immunoassay using mangetizable beads. The instrument includes a probe containing magnetizable particles and a plurality of magnetic devices for applying a magnetic field gradient to the particles in the probe reservoir. The probe is movable between the plurality of magnetic devices and at least one of the probe positions may be used to immobilize the magnetic particles in the fluid medium and at least another position may be used to resuspend the particles in a fluid medium.

Abstract: An analytical instrument for the immobilization of antigens to be detected in an immunoassay using mangetizable beads. The instrument includes a probe containing magnetizable particles and a plurality of magnetic devices for applying a magnetic field gradient to the particles in the probe reservoir. The probe is movable between the plurality of magnetic devices and at least one of the probe positions may be used to immobilize the magnetic particles in the fluid medium and at least another position may be used to resuspend the particles in a fluid medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed to non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion. A temporary barrier having an aperture is formed to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of the sealed package except at the aperture. A tracer gas is applied through the aperture at the gas-permeable portion, whereby the tracer gas enters into the interior chamber. The concentration of tracer gas is measured at the exterior of the sealed package, thereby testing for a leak in the sealed package.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sampling and determining the presence of certain substances, such as residues of contaminants in containers. The method includes steps of: injecting compressed air into said containers in order to displace at least a portion of the contents thereof; evacuating a sample of the container contents so displaced by applying suction thereto; and analyzing the sample evacuated to determine the presence or absence of the certain residues therein. The compressed air is injected through a nozzle into an opening in the containers to displace a portion of the container contents and form a sample cloud outside of the container. The sample cloud is then at least partially evacuated by suction and the sample is analyzed for the presence of contaminants such as nitrogen containing compounds or hydrocarbons. The sample cloud may be split into first and second portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed to non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion. A temporary barrier having an aperture is formed to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of the sealed package except at the aperture. A tracer gas is applied through the aperture at the gas-permeable portion, whereby the tracer gas enters into the interior chamber. The concentration of tracer gas is measured at the exterior of the sealed package, thereby testing for a leak in the sealed package.

Abstract: A high speed gas chromatography system includes a heated isothermal region and a gas chromatography column located externally to the isothermal region. The system also includes a detector and a flow path between the column and the detector. At least a portion of the flow path is positioned in the isothermal region.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for minimizing the effects of background signals in masking signals indicating the presence of substances to be detected such as contaminants in materials moving rapidly along a conveyor. The contaminants detected may include nitrogen containing compounds and hydrocarbons. The system and method of the present invention minimizes the number of falsely positive indications of the presence of such substances due to background signals and changes in background signals. The substances detected are divided into first and second sample portions and the respective portions are heated. The first heated portion is reacted with ozone to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the first portion. The second portion heated is also reacted with ozone to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the second portion.

Abstract: To detect an unpressurized moving container, a fluid such as air is directed at the moving container. Thereafter, a level of deflection of the moving container resulting from the directed fluid is detected. An unpressurized container is indicated when the detected level of deflection exceeds a threshold level. Deflection may be detected by directing a pulse of air or a continuous stream of air against the container. The system is particularly useful in detecting unpressurized, thin-walled aluminum cans.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing the effects of background signals in masking signals indicating the presence of substances to be detected such as contaminants in materials moving rapidly along a conveyor. The contaminants detected may include nitrogen containing compounds and hydrocarbons. The system and method minimize, during detection of the presence or absence of such substances, the number of falsely positive indications of the presence of such substances due to background signals and changes in background signals. The substances detected are divided into first and second sample portions and the respective portions are heated. The first heated portion is mixed with ozone to cause a chemical action therewith in order to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the first portion.

Abstract: A highly selective, sensitive, fast detection system and method are disclosed for detecting vapors of specific compounds in air.

Abstract: To detect a foaming contaminant in a moving container, an image of the moving container and any contents thereof is produced. Thereafter, image processing techniques are used to determine levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity in the image. The levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity are then compared to determine the presence of a foaming contaminant.

Abstract: To spectrally detect a contaminant in a moving container, a set of reference spectral information related to one or more containers having known contents is stored. Thereafter, radiant energy is directed at liquid near the bottom of the container so that the radiant energy is modified by the contents of the container and travels through the contents of the container in multiple paths of varying length. Spectral information from detected portions of the modified radiant energy is obtained, and is compared to the stored set of reference spectral information using correlation techniques. Based on the relationship between this spectral information and the stored set of reference spectral information, the presence or absence of a contaminant is indicated.

Abstract: To detect a contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy is directed into the moving container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the moving container is detected. The presence of a contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level. Scattered radiant energy detected by the system includes that scattered by turbid materials within the container and that scattered by foam within the container. Detection of turbid materials or foam may be combined with spectral contaminant detection.

Abstract: To detect a turbid contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy having a wavelength that is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include the turbid contaminant at a different level than energy having the wavelength is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include a non-contaminant is directed into the container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the container is detected. The presence of a turbid contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for minimizing the effects of background signals in masking signals indicating the presence of substances to be detected such as contaminants in materials moving rapidly along a conveyor. The contaminants detected may include nitrogen containing compounds and hydrocarbons. The system and method of the present invention minimize during detection of the presence or absence of such substances, the number of falsely positive indications of the presence of such substances due to background signals and changes in background signals. The substances detected are divided into first and second sample portions and the respective portions are heated. The first heated portion is mixed with ozone to cause a chemical reaction therewith in order to generate radiation by chemiluminescence having characteristic wavelengths related to substances in the first portion.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.

Abstract: A system for injecting liquid into containers moving through an inspection station at variable speeds without spilling liquid over the outside of, or between, the containers for inspecting the containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants, such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. The movements of each container is tracked with sensors upstream of a high speed injector, and one or more nozzles is timed to inject liquid in a narrow, high velocity stream only while the top opening of a container is under the nozzle(s). The liquid is employed to enhance liberation of vapors from within the containers for detection of the contaminants in the containers.