Abstract: A cryosurgery device for dispensing a liquid refrigerant from a container having a valve stem extending outwardly therefrom. The device includes an actuator adapted to seat on the valve stem of the container in order to depress the valve stem to release the refrigerant from the container. The actuator includes an inner passageway having opposed ends disposed therein, one of the ends of the passageway being in fluid communication with the valve stem. An applicator tube is mounted to the actuator at the other end of the inner passageway. A cap is disposed on the top of the container. The actuator is movably positioned on the cap and a shield is attached to the cap to completely receiving the applicator tube. Liquid refrigerant can only be dispensed when the actuator is positioned properly and the applicator tube is disposed within the shield means.

Abstract: A collector includes a collecting element that receives a sample of bodily fluid. The collecting element may be an absorbent pad that has been treated with a surfactant to optimize recovery of analytes from the sample and/or their absorbance onto the absorbent material. An extractor is operably connected to a container and receives the collector to provide fluid communication between the collector and the container. The collector, when received by the extractor, is operable to release a volume of the sample into the container.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: A solution-based assay for determining the presence of peroxidatively-active substance in a bodily fluid is described. The solution-based assay contains a spectrophotometric substrate, a hydroperoxide, a pH 6.0-7.0 buffer, a surfactant, and a solvent such as DMSO, THF, DMF, or mixtures thereof, with the balance of the solution being water. The solution-bascd assay is particularly useful in qualitative and quantitative assays for urinary hemoglobin. Solution-based assay kits and assay methods are also described.