Abstract: Capillary flow liquid transfer device having first and second flow channels, the first leading from a first channel end to a volume determination site and the second flow channel leading from a second channel end and crossing the first channel in fluid connection therewith in an interception area bordering the volume determination site directly upstream thereof relative to the flow in the first channel. The liquid flow in the second channel reaches the interception area before that in the first channel upon simultaneous application of liquid from the liquid supply to the first and second channel ends such that excess substance is received in a waste reception area separate from substance received in the volume determination site.

Abstract: A method of assay of antioxidant activity of a sample of water, which comprises monitoring the change exerted by the sample on a luminescent reaction.

Abstract: A method of assay of antioxidant activity of a biological fluid, which comprises monitoring the change exerted by the sample on a progressing luminescent reaction.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device of disposable one-time use form to conduct a biochemical diagnostic or other assay comprises two liquid flow channels (10,110,210; 20,120,220) leading from a respective pair of channel ends to a common site (30,130,230) and operable to deliver liquid to this site in sequentially timed manner following simultaneous application of such liquid to the channel ends. Typically respectively different reagents (11,111,211; 21,121,221) are incorporated in the two channels, and a third reagent (31,131,231) at the common site, whereby a sample to be assayed in respect of a particular content can be applied to the site, immobilized by the third reagent, subsequently subjected to one channel reagent to detect any of the content of interest, and finally subjected to the other channel reagent to exhibit for the user any detected content.

Abstract: A liquid transfer device of disposable one-time use form to conduct a biochemical diagnostic or other assay comprises two liquid flow channels (10,110,210; 20,120,220) leading from a respective pair of channel ends to a common site (30,130,230) and operable to deliver liquid to this site in sequentially timed manner following simultaneous application of such liquid to the channel ends. Typically respectively different reagents (11,111,211; 21,121,221) are incorporated in the two channels, and a third reagent (31,131,231) at the common site, whereby a sample to be assayed in respect of a particular content can be applied to the site, immobilized by the third reagent, subsequently subjected to one channel reagent to detect any of the content of interest, and finally subjected to the other channel reagent to exhibit for the user any detected content.

Abstract: A recording apparatus has a holder for a plurality of reaction vessels including a support plate (11) having an array of holes (15) therein for receiving an array of reaction vessels (16), a housing (10) for receiving the holder and being sealed to prevent entry of stray light, an openable cover (24, 249) for the housing, a film back (12) for holding a photographic film adjacent the underside of the plate (11), and a removable shutter (13) for interposition between the film and the support plate.

Abstract: Assays, e.g. immunoassays, based on the chemiluminescent reaction between a peroxidase enzyme, e.g. horse radish peroxidase, a chemiluminescent 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione, e.g. luminol or isoluminol and an oxidant, e.g. hydrogen peroxide or a perborate, are improved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of a 6-hydroxybenzothiazole, especially 6-hydroxybenzothiazole itself or firefly luciferin. Light emission from the reaction is significantly enhanced by the 6-hydroxybenzothiazole.

Abstract: It has been a problem that the chemiluminescent emission produced by the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of a 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione is often weak or gives a poor signal-background ratio and therefore does not give the high degree of sensitivity required for assay purposes, particularly for assay of peroxidase used to label a reagent for example in ELISA. The present invention solves the problem by the finding the certain narrowly defined aromatic amines are enhancers of the reaction and accordingly provides for their use in an assay and kit. The amines are of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein the R symbols (that is, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6) have any of the meanings (a) to (j) given below, all other R symbols in each meaning are hydrogen atoms and the fused rings are to be read in the same configurational sense as formula I:(a) R=R.sup.1 =CH.sub.3 ; R.sup.4 = ##STR2## (b) R.sup.4 = ##STR3## cyclohexyl, or alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms (c) R.sup.2, R.

Abstract: A phenolic compound is used to enhance the sensitivity of a luminescent reaction such as carried out in an immunoassay between a peroxidase enzyme, an oxidant, and a chemiluminescent 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione. Preferably, the phenolic compound is 4-iodophenol, 4-phenylphenol or 2-chloro-4-phenylphenol. In the preferred embodiment, horseradish peroxidase is coupled to an antibody to the substance to be assayed.

Abstract: A dispensing device, for dispensing reagent into an array of reaction wells (16) in a photographic recording apparatus, comprises an array of tubes (28) which are mounted in a support (23). The support (23) contains a common chamber (29) into which the tops of all the tubes (28) open. The chamber (29) is connected with atmosphere via an opening (32) which is sealable manually to retain liquid in the tubes (28) when the latter are immersed in a reservoir (40) and which is unsealed to dispense the liquid. The recording apparatus has a housing (10) closable at the top by part of the support (23). A plate (11) having an array of holes (15) therethrough rests on a shutter (13) disposed above a photographic film holder (12). The plate (11) carries the reaction wells (16) in the holes (15).