Abstract: A stirring device has an actuator like a plate, a cover shaped like a rectangular box and covering the actuator, a blade designed to be vibrated by the actuator, and a connecting device connecting the blade to the actuator, positioning an axis of vibration amplitude of the blade substantially in one side of the cover.

Abstract: An ion selective electrode of flowthrough type is used for electrochemical measurement of ion species contained in a biological fluid by the electrode method. In the electrode method, the reaction of an ion and a sensing substance contained in an ion-sensing membrane is electrochemically detected.plurality of holes are made on a part of the wall of a path for letting the biological fluid flow therethrough. An ion-sensing membrane is formed in the plurality of holes such that each membrane includes a different sensitive ion from the other and the inner surface of the path is kept smooth.

Abstract: A sampling system, favorably applicable to an automatic chemical analyzer, is provided for sampling by sucking and discharging liquid, such as specimens and reagents. The sampling system comprises a pump having a container in which an inner space of a certain volume is formed and an actuator arranged in the inner space to fore a pumping chamber therein. The actuator comprises a base plate having both sides thereon and a piezoelectric element attached to the base plate. Further provided are a tube having one end connected to the pumping cheer, a nozzle connected to another end of the tube, and an element for controlling a driving voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. For instance, the piezoelectric element is composed of two piezoelectric plates attached each to both the sides of the base plate. A piezoelectric sensor is attached to the base plate for detecting distortion of the actuator, a liquid level of specimens and reagents, and error operations such as air suction and jamming.

Abstract: Piezoelectric elements are attached to both sides of a flexible metal thin plate, thus forming a bimorph-type piezoelectric vibrator. A portion of the metal thin plate is extended to form a stirring blade. A suitable weight is attached to a part of the metal plate such that the amplitude of the blade is made greater than the amplitude of the vibrator itself. The voltage to be applied to the vibrator and the frequency are adjusted, and the vibrator is vibrated in a second-order mode. Thereby, the entire solution is moved simultaneously, vertical motion is caused, and the stirring efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A sampling system, favorably applicable to an automatic chemical analyzer, is provided for sampling by sucking and discharging liquid, such as specimens and reagents. The sampling system comprises a pump having a container in which an inner space of a certain volume is formed and an actuator arranged in the inner space to form a pumping chamber therein. The actuator comprises a base plate having both sides thereon and a piezoelectric element attached to the base plate. Further provided are a tube having one end connected to the pumping chamber, a nozzle conntected to another end of the tube, and an element for controlling a driving voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. For instance, the piezoelectric element is composed of two piezoelectric plates attached each to both the sides of the base plate. A piezoelectric sensor is attached to the base plate for detecting distortion of the actuator, a liquid level of specimens and reagents, and error operations such as air suction and jamming.

Abstract: There is disclosed, in an immunoassay employing an immunoassay reagent comprising liposomes comprised of at least any one of phospholipids and glycolipids, a marker material enclosed in said liposomes, and an antibody or part of the antibody, or an antigen, immobilized on said liposomes by a cross-linking method, the improvement wherein a material for preventing nonspecific lysis of the liposomes is made present together in a reaction mixture.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus is disclosed, which comprises guide rails for supporting a plurality of sample-containing reaction tubes in a straight row, a plunger for moving the reaction tubes supported on the guide rails in the direction of arrangement, a first rotary table for supporting a plurality of sample-containing reaction tubes along a circular line, and a motor for rotating the rotary table. Second rotary tables are disposed above the straight and circular arrangements of reaction tubes. These second rotary tables support at least two reagent distributors for distributing reagent into the reaction tubes. Each reagent distributor includes a reagent phial containing a reagent and a pump integral with the reagent phial for withdrawing the reagent in the reagent vessel. The pump has a nozzle through which the reagent is discharged. The rotary table is rotated by a motor such that the nozzle of a reagent distributor used for reagent distribution is brought to a position right above a pertinent reaction tube.

Abstract: An immunoassay of the type which utilizes the hemolysis of microcapsules such as red blood cells. Microcapsules which can be lysed by complement activity, which contain an optically determinable substance, on whose surfaces an antibody to be quantified is bound are prepared. The microcapsules, a test sample containing the antigen or the antibody to be quantified, and complement are mixed to react each other. Thereafter, an optical measurement is conducted at different wavelengths for the reaction mixture which is still suspending the intact microcapsules.

Abstract: An immunoassay by which a plurality of kinds of antigens or antibodies in one test sample may be simultaneously quantified. Each of a plurality of kinds of microcapsules is first provided for each kind of a plurality of antigens or antibodies to be quantified such that the microcapsules bind an antibody or antigen specific to one kind of the plurality of antigens or antibodies to be quantified. The microcapsules are formed of a membrane capable of being lysed by the complement activity, and each kind of microcapsules contains therein a substance that is quantifiable and does not interact with another quantifiable substance contained in other kinds of microcapsules. The plurality of kinds of microcapsules are mixed with a test sample and complement, and the quantifiable substances are released from the microcapsules upon lysis of the microcapsules by the complement activity. The quantifiable substances are then quantified.

Abstract: An enzyme is immobilized to a capillary column, and a solution which contains a chemical substance and a luminescent substance flows through the column. A plurality of optical fibers are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the column, and the luminescence in the column is introduced to a photodiode array through the fibers. The distribution of the luminescent intensity along the longitudinal direction of the column is detected by the photodiode array. Thus, the rate of quantity increase of the product produced by the enzyme reaction can be measured while the solution is flowing through the column, thereby producing the enzyme activity by the end assay and the rate assay.