Abstract: A microfluidic device containing liquid reagents having an extended shelf life contains the liquid reagents in micro-reservoirs that limit the escape of moisture to less than 10% over the shelf life of the device. The micro-reservoir preferably is made of polypropylene and covered with a metallized plastic film.

Abstract: Biological fluid samples are deposited by methods that produce a uniform layer of the sample over a reagent-containing surface. In one embodiment, a nozzle having multiple openings is used to deposit a sample over the reagent-containing surface simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment, single droplets of the sample are deposited in a pattern on the surface, preferably in a sequence of parallel lines. The reaction between the biological sample and the reagents is read from a spectrographic image of the reagent-containing surface obtained by optical methods.

Abstract: A microliter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved by capillary forces into one or more metering wells which define the amount of the sample to be analyzed in subsequent steps. The defined amount of the sample is transferred from the metering wells to one or more conditioning and reagent wells for measuring the amount of an analyte contained in each metered amount of the sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic device provides separation of particles in a liquid sample, particularly, separation of a sample of whole blood into its components for further analysis. Separation into red blood cells and plasma occurs within a few seconds after the blood sample has been transferred into a separation chamber with the application of centrifugal force of less than about five times gravity. With the application of greater force measurement of hematocrit is possible.

Abstract: A method for measuring the bacteria content of fluids such as urine and blood, in which a glycoprotein or glycopeptide is attached to the bacteria and a label attached to or inherent to the glycoprotein or glycopeptide provides a means for determining the amount of bacteria present. A preferred glycoprotein is alkaline phosphatase, which is an enzyme capable of attaching to all bacteria present in the fluid sample and inherently includes a label moiety in that color can be developed by addition of known reagents.

Abstract: A method of applying an organic acid reagent having limited transolubility in organic solvents, aqueous solvents, and mixtures thereof to a component of a diagnostic test device by mixing an organic acid reagent and an amine to form a salt complex, dissolving the salt complex in a solvent to release the organic acid reagent into the solvent, and applying the solvent to the component of the diagnostic test device such that the organic acid reagent present in the solvent becomes integrated into the diagnostic test device. The amine is represented by the formula HmNRn wherein m is 0, 1, or 2; n is 1, 2, or 3; the sum of m and n is 3; and R is an independently selected group which renders the salt complex soluble in aqueous solvents, organic solvents, or mixtures thereof. The amine is also represented by the formula NR4+ wherein R is an independently selected group which renders the salt complex soluble in aqueous solvents, organic solvents, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing biological samples is provided with a sample inlet section including an inlet port, a capillary passageway communicating with the inlet port and with an inlet chamber. The inlet chamber includes means for uniformly distributing the sample liquid across the inlet chamber and purging the air initially contained therein.

Abstract: Analytical results obtained with microfluidic devices are improved by providing structural features in areas containing dry supported reagents, the structural features directing the flow of a sample over the area in a predetermined uniform manner and facilitating the purging of air.

Abstract: A microfluidic device containing liquid reagents having an extended shelf life contains the liquid reagents in micro-reservoirs that limit the escape of moisture to less than 10% over the shelf life of the device. The micro-reservoir preferably is made of polypropylene and covered with a metallized plastic film.

Abstract: An assay for the determination of protein in an aqueous test fluid which combines the test fluid with a buffer and a dye. The buffer is selected from citrulline, malonic acid, cyanoacetic acid, citraconic acid, methyl phosphonic acid, sarcosine, saccharin, or combinations thereof. The buffer is added in sufficient quantity to maintain the pH of the assay including the test fluid at a selected target pH range within a range of from about 2.0 to about 3.0. The dye has a pKa which enables it to operate as a protein indicator at the target pH range. The dye also has affinity for protein such that it will provide a detectable response in the presence of greater than about 15 mg/dL protein to thereby render the assay suitable for the detection of total protein in the test fluid. The buffer and dye may be absorbed in a test strip of absorbent material.

Abstract: An assay for the determination of protein in an aqueous test fluid which combines the test fluid with a buffer and a dye. The buffer is selected from citrulline, malonic acid, cyanoacetic acid, citraconic acid, methyl phosphonic acid, sarcosine, saccharin, or combinations thereof. The buffer is added in sufficient quantity to maintain the pH of the assay including the test fluid at a selected target pH range within a range of from about 2.0 to about 3.0. The dye has a pKa which enables it to operate as a protein indicator at the target pH range. The dye also has affinity for protein such that it will provide a detectable response in the presence of greater than about 15 mg/dL protein to thereby render the assay suitable for the detection of total protein in the test fluid. The buffer and dye may be absorbed in a test strip of absorbent material.

Abstract: A microfluidic device provides separation of particles in a liquid sample, particularly, separation of a sample of whole blood into its components for further analysis. Separation into red blood cells and plasma occurs within a few seconds after the blood sample has been transferred into a separation chamber with the application of centrifugal force of less than one up to about five times gravity. With the application of greater force measurement of hematocrit is possible.

Abstract: A microliter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved by capillary forces into one or more metering wells which define the amount of said sample to be analyzed in subsequent steps. The defined amount of the sample is transferred from the metering wells to one or more conditioning and reagent wells for measuring the amount of an analyte contained in each metered amount of the sample.

Abstract: A method for measuring the bacteria content of fluids such as urine and blood, in which a glycoprotein or glycopeptide is attached to the bacteria and a label attached to or inherent to the glycoprotein or glycopeptide provides a means for determining the amount of bacteria present. A preferred glycoprotein is alkaline phosphatase, which is an enzyme capable of attaching to all bacteria present in the fluid sample and inherently includes a label moiety in that color can be developed by addition of known reagents.

Abstract: A dry phase device separates high density lipoprotein (HDL) from a blood (serum or plasma) sample. The device contains a fluid permeable material having dispersed therein finely divided, porous silica or silicate particles as selective absorbant for HDL. By combining the device with a second layer designed to remove very low density lipoproteins/chylomicrons from the blood, and a third layer containing means for quantitative cholesterol detection, there is provided a test device for the direct determination of low density lipoproteins cholesterol.

Abstract: A method for separating high density lipoproteins from blood serum or plasma. The method involves contacting the blood sample with an absorbant material comprising porous silica or silicate to adsorb the high density lipoprotein in preference to other lipoproteins in the blood sample. When combined with means for removing very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons from the blood sample, the remaining low density lipoproteins can be measured directly.

Abstract: Novel aminoalkylthiodibenzoxepins, physiologically tolerable acid addition salts thereof, a method of preparing same, pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations including same and methods of treating by administering same are disclosed. These compounds are useful as analgesic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents. A process for selectively reducing olefins by alkaline earth metals in loweralkanols is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel aminoalkylthiodibenzoxepins, physiologically tolerable acid addition salts thereof, a method of preparing same, pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations including same and methods of treating by administering same are disclosed. These compounds are useful as analgesic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents. A process for selectively reducing olefins by alkaline earth metals in loweralkanols is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel aminoalkylthiodibenzothiepins and related compounds, physiologically tolerable acid addition salts thereof, a method of preparing same, pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations including same and methods of treating by administering same are disclosed. These compounds are useful as antidepressant, analgetic, and anticonvulsant agents.

Abstract: Novel aminoalkylthiodibenzoxepins, physiologically tolerable acid addition salts thereof, a method of preparing same, pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations including same and methods of treating by administering same are disclosed. These compounds are useful as analgesic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents. A process for selectively reducing olefins by alkaline earth metals in loweralkanols is also disclosed.