Abstract: A method is described for the detection of at least two of cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 in a sample. It is practiced by contacting the sample with a solid phase having a first antibody with specificity for cytokeratin 8, a second antibody with specificity for cytokeratin 18 and, optionally, a third antibody with specificity for a first epitope of cytokeratin 19 bound to it and allowing cytokeratins in the sample to bind to the bound antibodies to form complexes. The complexes are then contacted with a first labelled antibody with specificity for a dimer of cytokeratin 8 and 18 and optionally a second labelled antibody with specificity for a second epitope of cytokeratin 19 and allowing the labelled antibodies to bind to the complexes. The labelled antibodies bound to the complexes are then detected. A method for quantitative determination of soluble fragments of at least two of cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19 in a sample and a kit are also described.

Abstract: A method is described for the detection of at least two of cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 in a sample. It is practiced by contacting the sample with a solid phase having a first antibody with specificity for cytokeratin 8 , a second antibody with specificity for cytokeratin 18 and, optionally, a third antibody with specificity for a first epitope of cytokeratin 19 bound to it and allowing cytokeratins in the sample to bind to the bound antibodies to form complexes. The complexes are then contacted with a first labelled antibody with specificity for a dimer of cytokeratin 8 and 18 and optionally a second labelled antibody with specificity for a second epitope of cytokeratin 19 and allowing the labelled antibodies to bind to the complexes. The labelled antibodies bound to the complexes are then detected. A method for quantitative determination of soluble fragments of at least two of cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19 in a sample and a kit are also described.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a defined volume of a liquid from a closed container includes a housing and a spring loaded piston disposed therein. The housing has a holding chamber that includes chamber snap fit elements on the chamber wall, piston stop(s), and a bottom having a central opening with a tubular member extending therefrom. The spring loaded piston includes a push cap including snap fit arms extending from underside of a top pusher and a spring around a piston rod under the top pusher. The device is so configured that engagement modes between arm snap fit elements of the push cap and chamber snap fit elements of the holding chamber control a venting position and an injection starting position of the spring loaded piston, and abutment of the push cap with the piston stop(s) in the holding chamber controls an injection ending position of the spring loaded piston.

Abstract: A single use capillary micropipette and a method of use for dispensing a defined volume of a liquid are disclosed. The capillary micropipette includes a housing, a piston disposed therein and a capillary tube connected to the housing. The housing has a holding chamber including chamber snap fit elements on the chamber wall, piston stop(s) and a bottom having a central opening with a tubular member extending therefrom. The piston includes a push cap having snap fit arms extending downward and a piston rod. In the assembled position, a venting space between the piston head and the central opening permits venting during aspiration of a liquid into capillary tube by capillary force. In response to an applied downward force, the snap fit arms of the push cap snap over chamber snap fit elements and piston rod slides in the tubular member, thereby dispensing a defined volume of the liquid.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a defined volume of a liquid from a closed container includes a housing and a spring loaded piston disposed therein. The housing has a holding chamber that includes chamber snap fit elements on the chamber wall, piston stop(s), and a bottom having a central opening with a tubular member extending therefrom. The spring loaded piston includes a push cap including snap fit arms extending from underside of a top pusher and a spring around a piston rod under the top pusher. The device is so configured that engagement modes between arm snap fit elements of the push cap and chamber snap fit elements of the holding chamber control a venting position and an injection starting position of the spring loaded piston, and abutment of the push cap with the piston stop(s) in the holding chamber controls an injection ending position of the spring loaded piston.

Abstract: A single use capillary micropipette and a method of use for dispensing a defined volume of a liquid are disclosed. The capillary micropipette includes a housing, a piston disposed therein and a capillary tube connected to the housing. The housing has a holding chamber including chamber snap fit elements on the chamber wall, piston stop(s) and a bottom having a central opening with a tubular member extending therefrom. The piston includes a push cap having snap fit arms extending downward and a piston rod. In the assembled position, a venting space between the piston head and the central opening permits venting during aspiration of a liquid into capillary tube by capillary force. In response to an applied downward force, the snap fit arms of the push cap snap over chamber snap fit elements and piston rod slides in the tubular member, thereby dispensing a defined volume of the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detection of at least two cytokeratins selected from the group consisting of cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19, and/or soluble fragments thereof, in a sample, comprising the steps of contacting said sample with a solid phase having immobilized thereon a first antibody having specificity for cytokeratin 8, a second antibody having specificity for cytokeratin 18 and, optionally,a third antibody having specificity for a first epitope of cytokeratin 19; allowing cytokeratin and/or soluble fragments thereof in said sample to bind to said first, second and optionally third antibodies thereby forming complexes; contacting said complexes with a first labelled antibody having specificity for a dimer of cytokeratin 8 and 18 and optionally a second labelled antibody having specificity for a second epitope of cytokeratin 19; allowing said first and second labelled antibodies to bind to said complexes; and detecting said first labelled antibody and said second labelled antibody bound to said c

Abstract: A disposable cassette for blood analysis includes a housing having an upper panel and a sampling section having a filling inlet; at least one pair of chambers in a form of depression of the upper panel of the housing and sealed by a diaphragm; portions of the diaphragm over the chambers being flexible; and one or more channels adapted to interconnect the pair of chambers; one of the chambers containing a predetermined amount of a reagent for blood analysis; and a sample outlet disposed next to and connected to the chamber containing the reagent, the sample outlet including an outlet cavity recessed from the upper panel, a divider disposed therein, and a cover covering the outlet cavity; the sample outlet sealing the reagent to the chamber containing the reagent. Further disclosed is the method of using the disposable cassette for measurements of hematology parameters on a blood analyzer.

Abstract: A miniature flow-through cuvette for spectrophotometric measurement of a liquid sample includes a cuvette body of a transparent material including a first outer surface and an opposing second outer surface, and a flow channel disposed through the cuvette body. The flow channel includes first and second interface segments generally vertically oriented, each having an open exit; a measurement segment interconnecting the first and second interface segments; a first inclined planar inner surface disposed in a turning segment between the first interface segment and the measurement segment, facing the first outer surface; and a second inclined planar inner surface disposed in a turning segment between the second interface segment and the measurement segment, facing the second outer surface. The first and second inclined inner surfaces terminate the measurement segment at opposing ends thereof. Further provided is a spectrophotometer including the miniature flow-through cuvette.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for blood analysis includes a housing having an upper panel and a sampling section having a filling inlet; at least one pair of chambers in a form of depression of the upper panel of the housing and sealed by a diaphragm; portions of the diaphragm over the chambers being flexible; and one or more channels adapted to interconnect the pair of chambers; one of the chambers containing a predetermined amount of a reagent for blood analysis; and a sample outlet disposed next to and connected to the chamber containing the reagent, the sample outlet including an outlet cavity recessed from the upper panel, a divider disposed therein, and a cover covering the outlet cavity; the sample outlet sealing the reagent to the chamber containing the reagent. Further disclosed is the method of using the disposable cassette for measurements of hematology parameters on a blood analyzer.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for blood analysis includes a housing having an upper panel and a sampling section having a filling inlet; at least one pair of chambers in a form of depression of the upper panel of the housing and sealed by a diaphragm; portions of the diaphragm over the chambers being flexible; and one or more channels adapted to interconnect the pair of chambers; one of the chambers containing a predetermined amount of a reagent for blood analysis; and a sample outlet disposed next to and connected to the chamber containing the reagent, the sample outlet including an outlet cavity recessed from the upper panel, a divider disposed therein, and a cover covering the outlet cavity; the sample outlet sealing the reagent to the chamber containing the reagent. Further disclosed is the method of using the disposable cassette for measurements of hematology parameters on a blood analyzer.

Abstract: A miniature flow-through cuvette for spectrophotometric measurement of a liquid sample includes a cuvette body of a transparent material including a first outer surface and an opposing second outer surface, and a flow channel disposed through the cuvette body. The flow channel includes first and second interface segments generally vertically oriented, each having an open exit; a measurement segment interconnecting the first and second interface segments; a first inclined planar inner surface disposed in a turning segment between the first interface segment and the measurement segment, facing the first outer surface; and a second inclined planar inner surface disposed in a turning segment between the second interface segment and the measurement segment, facing the second outer surface. The first and second inclined inner surfaces terminate the measurement segment at opposing ends thereof. Further provided is a spectrophotometer including the miniature flow-through cuvette.

Abstract: A blood analyzer having a blood cell sedimentation control mechanism is disclosed, which includes a cassette receiving interface including a cassette compartment and a blood sensor operable to detect a presence of blood in a disposable cassette removably disposed within the cassette compartment; a system control electrically connected to the blood sensor, and a blood measurement assembly connected to the system control and adapted to connect with the disposable cassette. The system control includes a time recording mechanism and a predetermined sedimentation time control criterion. Further disclosed is a method of controlling blood cell sedimentation during sample preparation process on the blood analyzer.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for blood analysis includes a housing having an upper panel and a sampling section having a filling inlet; at least one pair of chambers in a form of depression of the upper panel of the housing and sealed by a diaphragm; portions of the diaphragm over the chambers being flexible; and one or more channels adapted to interconnect the pair of chambers; one of the chambers containing a predetermined amount of a reagent for blood analysis; and a sample outlet disposed next to and connected to the chamber containing the reagent, the sample outlet including an outlet cavity recessed from the upper panel, a divider disposed therein, and a cover covering the outlet cavity; the sample outlet sealing the reagent to the chamber containing the reagent. Further disclosed is the method of using the disposable cassette for measurements of hematology parameters on a blood analyzer.

Abstract: A housing for an implantable tissue stimulating device is connectable to an electrode lead having an electrode. A portion of the housing also functions as an electrode. The walls of the housing are shaped so that when a voltage is applied between the electrode at the electrode lead, and the housing electrode, the electric field associated with the voltage has a low field strength in regions at which unwanted stimulation of muscles can occur.

Abstract: An implantable heart stimulator has a connector for an electrode lead in the form of a self-contained tubular connector, which can be placed as a unit in one-half shell of a stimulator housing, together with a hybrid circuit and a power source. The other half shell of the stimulator housing can then simply be placed over these assembled components and joined thereto by welding, thereby considerably simplifying manufacture and assembly of the stimulator. When an even number of such self-contained connector tubes is employed, the two stimulator housing half shells can be identical.

Abstract: A vibrator having a detachable probe for dilating the cervix includes an eccentric at one end of the holder near the probe, a variable speed pneumatic motor at the other end of the holder, the center of gravity being nearer to the motor-end of the holder, and an adjustable source of pressure medium.