Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic allergy testing system. The system includes an electrode capable of testing up to eight different allergies and an associated electronic unit. The electrode includes apparatus to transcutaneously deliver an allergen to the patient without puncturing the patient's skin. The electrode also includes a temperature sensor for sensing the skin temperature in the area surrounding the delivery of the allergen. Electronic apparatus is provided for processing the sensed temperature and storing data related thereto for subsequent print out to an output device. The allergy testing system is controlled so that periodic temperature readings are made at thrity second intervals over approximately a fifteen minute testing span. The data can be printed out in a graphic format to allow the physician to easily and quickly make more accurate diagnosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for performing a plurality of allergy tests on a patient undergoing tests. The allergy electrode consists of a plurality of individual testing electrodes and a single common electrode. Each of the testing electrodes includes allergen delivery apparatus and a temperature sensor. The allergen is contained in a removable allergen impregnated pad. If a dry allergen is used, it may be hydrolized with a drop of distilled water prior to application. A small electric charge charges a charge plate on one side of the allergen pad and a common ring on the electrodes is grounded in circuit with the charging plate, thereby causing electric field to transfer the allergen through the pores of the skin. The area surrounding the allergen delivery area is sensed for temperature by a thin film temperature sensor and a rigid temperature conducted base.

Abstract: A photometric analyzer and method are disclosed for analyzing particle containing samples. More particularly, a nephelometric apparatus and method are disclosed for analyzing baceteria samples. In the disclosed embodiment, the bacteria count of a bacteria sample is determined by photometrically comparing the sample to another sample having a known particle or bacteria concentration. Thus, in accordance with the invention, samples having a known bacteria count may be quickly and easily obtained from a "go" "no-go" test. The bacteria samples obtained according to the invention may be used as standardized bacteria concentrations for conducting Kirby-Bauer dilution tests.

Abstract: A photometric analyzer and method are disclosed for analyzing particle containing samples. More particularly, a nephelometric apparatus and method are disclosed for analyzing bacteria samples. In the disclosed embodiment, the bacteria count of a bacteria sample is determined by photometrically comparting the sample to another sample having a known particle or bacteria concentration. Thus, in accordance with the invention, samples having a known bacteria count may be quickly and easily obtained from a "go" "no-go" test. The bacteria samples obtained according to the invention may be used as standardized bacteria concentrations for conducting Kirby-Bauer dilution tests.

Abstract: The test apparatus detects pressure changes in a vessel containing a volume of a contaminated industrial liquid and a volume of gas. The apparatus includes a detector having a housing defining a chamber. A pressure transducer having a flexible, pressure-transmitting wall is mounted in the chamber. A passageway fluidly communicates between a port in the housing and the transducer. In one embodiment a needle housing is removably coupled to the port. A hollow needle is adapted to pierce a stopper in the vessel. The vessel remains continuously sealed during and after the pressure test. Pressure changes in the gas of the vessel are transmitted through the needle and the passageway to the transducer. The transducer converts such pressure changes into corresponding electric signals which are indicative of the density of organisms in the liquid contained in the vessel.

Abstract: Automated chemical analysis apparatus is disclosed for testing a plurality of chemical samples in variable testing sequences. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is operative to test bacterial sensitivity to a plurality of drugs, each of which may have varying concentrations. More specifically, one, two or three concentrations of each of a plurality of drugs may be tested in accordance with sequence command information on a source/record card which is automatically entered into the apparatus. The results of the variable sequence testing are recorded directly on the card adjacent to the identification of the drug being tested.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously monitoring one or a plurality of patients samples each electrocardiac waveform of each patient to generate a model waveform for each patient. The image is resolved into contour intervals, e.g. PR, QR, ST and T intervals, and the system establishes a set of interval limits for each patient to which samples of subsequently monitored waveforms are compared. Errors associated with each patient are separately stored and reported by the system in an order which may correspond to a priority ranking of the seriousness of the conditions with which the errors are associated.