Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses related to measurement of analytes, including measurements of analytes in samples withdrawn from a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood analyte measurement system for the procurement of blood samples for measurement of blood properties such as analyte concentration or analyte presence. A blood access system can be coupled with a measurement system such as an electrochemical sensor, and can also be used with other measurement modalities. Embodiments of the present invention can facilitate accurate measurement of blood glucose by the clinician in a sterile manner. Embodiments of the present invention can also enable the calibration of the sensor at one or more calibration points. One desired analyte of measurement is glucose for the effective implementation of glycemic control protocols. Embodiments of the present invention can also be used for the measurement of other analytes such as arterial blood gases, lactate, hemoglobin, potassium and urea.

Abstract: A method for removing bubbles adhering to the interior wall of a fluid-filled chamber through which a fluid flows, and a related method and apparatus for removing bubbles from a chamber having medical sensory equipment such as a blood gas and chemistry analyzer. The method includes drawing a quantity of gas into the chamber to empty the chamber of fluid, maintaining the chamber in an empty state for a predetermined period of time, and then refilling the chamber with fluid at a rate low enough to remove remaining bubbles and to prevent the formation and trapping of new bubbles within the chamber.

Abstract: A mixing device includes a plurality of elongated ampules mounted on a rotatable support with the longitudinal axis of each ampule inclined inwardly toward the rotational axis of the rotatable support. When the mixing device rotates about the rotational support, centrifugal force causes fluid in each ampule to move toward the end farthest away from the rotatable support. A bubble in each ampule then moves toward the opposite end. In one embodiment, the rotational support is inclined so that the end of each ampule positioned farthest from the rotational support is positioned sufficiently above the other end so that the bubble rises to the end farther from the support in at least one position as the support rotates. As a result, a bubble in each ampule moves back and forth between the ends of the ampule as the rotatable support rotates to mix respective fluids in the ampules.

Abstract: A disposable sampling cartridge for use with a blood sample analyzer. The cartridge includes a blood reservoir communicating with a hypodermic needle, a waste collection chamber adapted to receive waste fluids from the blood sample analyzer, and a plurality of ampules each containing a respective analyzing fluid adapted for use by the blood sample analyzer. Each of the ampules contain a piston, and the analyzing fluids in the ampules are expelled by forcing an actuating rod through a frangible wall of the ampule to displace the piston. In one embodiment, the analyzing fluids are withdrawn through a conduit in the actuating rod while the blood and spent analyzing fluids flow through the blood reservoir port on which the hypodermic needle is mounted. In another embodiment the waste fluid flows through an inlet port while the analyzing fluids from the ampules flow through a common port outlet port which selectively communicates with the blood reservoir and the ampules by a valve arrangement.

Abstract: The input polarizer and the output polarizer of a spectrofluorometer are each mechanically identical except for the optical elements, and are constructed as modules which plug into a spectrofluorometer base. Each of the polarizer modules includes a polarizing filter that is rotatable and a self-contained motor drive for rotating the polarizing filter. Each of the motor drives comprises an electric motor mounted on the respective module, a pulley mounted on the respective module and rotatable with actuation of the electric motor, a loop coupling the pulley to the polarizing filter for rotation of the filter with rotation of the pulley, and means for enabling the filter to rotate exactly 90.degree. in opposite directions.

Abstract: The automatic range selection circuit is particularly useful with a photomultiplier tube linear microphotometer and includes an amplifier, adjustable and switchable impedances coupled between an input and an output of the amplifier for adjusting the gain thereof, two comparators for comparing the output from the amplifier with upper and lower reference voltage levels, an integrator for integrating the output of the comparators, and an analog control circuit responsive to the output signal level at the output of the integrator for controlling the amount of impedance coupled between the input and output of the amplifier thereby to automatically adjust the gain thereof.

Abstract: Cuvette positioning apparatus for use in a spectrophotometer adapted for comparing first and second material samples includes a carrier in which cuvettes to be alternately analyzed are arranged end-to-end. The carrier is reciprocated along a vertical axis to expose the cuvettes in alternation to the monochromatic beam of the apparatus. The rate of reciprocation is selected to avoid cavitation of the samples, and a sinusoidal drive arrangement increases the exposure time of the samples to the light beam and minimizes transit time for optimum measurement efficiency. Circuitry responsive to synchronizing signals derived from the drive arrangement is utilized to form an output signal indicative of the difference in measured characteristics between the samples.

Abstract: A high pressure xenon arc illuminator bulb having a sapphire window generates a broad band of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation extending from about 180 nanometers to about 2000 nanometers.The emitted radiation in the range from about 180 to about 200 nanometers, in passing through the oxygen in the air, causes the molecules of oxygen in the form O.sub.2 to recombine to produce ozone, O.sub.3. Ozone is toxic.In the invention, a lens barrel, which holds a sapphire condensing lens, is joined to the xenon arc illuminator bulb with a lighttight and also hermetic connection. Thus, the condensing lens is optically rigid with the illuminator bulb and the ozone formed within the lens barrel is not released to the ambient environment, even though its local concentration within the lens barrel becomes high. Furthermore, the ozone confined within the lens barrel acts as an absorption filter for all of the wavelengths in the 180 to 200 nanometer band which are capable of producing ozone.

Abstract: A rotary sample changer for a spectrofluorometer has a revolving turret base which can be indexed and which carries an interchangeable sample carrier. Different sample carriers accommodate test cells, test tubes and cuvettes of different sizes and shapes.The revolving turret base and the interchangeable rotary sample carriers are constructed of material having good thermal conductivity and rotate on a large stationary hollow axle which is thermostated by thermally controlled internal fluid circulation to act as a heat source or sink to the samples. Thus, the sample carriers can readily be interchanged without disturbing the plumbing by which the thermostatic fluid is circulated.The revolving turret base is detented at the stations to which it is indexed without kinematic ambiguity and without application of any cocking force. Two spring biased ball detents, symmetrically spaced 180.degree. about the axis of rotation, are provided.

Abstract: A system for plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprises a spectrofluorometer including excitation and emission monochromator stages having operating wavelengths dependent on applied stepping pulses, and an X-Y plotter having a marking pen synchronized for movement along X and Y axis with changes in the wavelengths of the monochromators. A control circuit generates pulses to incrementally step the emission monochromator and horizontally scan the marking pen. A level detection circuit monitors the output of the spectrofluorometer and activates the pen upon attainment of a desired contour level. Limit circuitry incorporated in the control circuit momentarily actuates the excitation monochromator following each horizontal scan to increase the excitation wavelength for the subsequent emission scan to complete the plot.

Abstract: In a recording spectrophotometer the ordinate of the plotter-scriber is controlled by the output of a photomultiplier while the abscissa of the plotter-scriber is controlled by a selectable mode manually adjusted controller.In one mode, the controller furnishes a time base signal of selected rate of change, so that the abscissa of the plotter-scriber varies with the passage of time in accordance with said rate of change.In aother mode, the controller furnishes a stepping signal of selected periodicity, for application to a stepping motor, which changes the wavelength adjustment of the spectrophotometer at a rate determined by the selected periodicity. The spectrophotometer furnishes to the plotter-scriber an analog voltge varying with the instantaneous wavelength setting of the spectrophotometer, so that the abscissa of the plotter-scriber correspondingly varies with the instantaneous value of the wavelength.

Abstract: The noisy amplified signal from a photoelectric device is passed through an electronic low-pass filter before having its direct current component read on a meter. The cut-off frequency of the low-pass filter is adjusted in known manner by rotation of a control knob, so as to suitably match the cut-off frequency to the noisiness of the signal with a view towards speeding up the stabilization of the meter reading. To overcome the sluggishness of the system, the same control knob is briefly pushed, thereby overriding the low pass control. The method of using the system to speed up meter reading is described.

Abstract: A system for plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprises a spectrofluorometer including excitation and emission monochromator stages having operating wavelengths dependent on applied stepping pulses, and an X-Y plotter having a marking pen synchronized for movement along X and Y axis with changes in the wavelengths of the monochromators. A control circuit generates pulses to incrementally step the emission monochromator and horizontally scan the marking pen. A level detection circuit monitors the output of the spectroflourometer and activates the pen upon attainment of a desired contour level. Limit circuitry incorporated in the control circuit momentarily actuates the excitation monochromator following each horizontal scan to increase the excitation wavelength for the subsequent emission scan to complete the plot.