Abstract: A positive displacement ampule for storing a fluid therein and dispensing the fluid therefrom. The ampule includes an elongate vessel for storing the fluid having a large diameter base portion at one end thereof joined to a small diameter stem portion at the other end thereof, a piston disposed in the vessel at the base end thereof for forcing the fluid from the vessel, a fracture probe for fracturing the base end of the vessel and a needle for inserting into the fractured base end of the vessel and for piercing the piston such that one end of the needle protrudes outwardly from the vessel and the other end of the needle communicates with the fluid in the vessel. In this manner, the fluid is pumped from the vessel through the needle by pushing the piston in the direction of the fluid.

Abstract: A positive displacement ampule for storing a fluid therein and dispensing the fluid therefrom. The ampule includes an elongate vessel for storing the fluid having a large diameter base portion at one end thereof joined to a small diameter stem portion at the other end thereof, a piston disposed in the vessel at the base end thereof for forcing the fluid from the vessel, a fracture probe for fracturing the base end of the vessel and a needle for inserting into the fractured base end of the vessel and for piercing the piston such that one end of the needle protrudes outwardly from the vessel and the other end of the needle communicates with the fluid in the vessel. In this manner, the fluid is pumped from the vessel through the needle by pushing the piston in the direction of the fluid.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor comprising an electrolyte and an analyte separated by a selectively permeable membrane preferably characterized in that the electrolyte is an electrically conductive solid comprising a homogeneous dispersion of a polymeric matrix phase and an electrically conductive salt and substantially free of water. Preferably the polymeric matrix phase is plasticized, the plasticizer forming a continuous phase in which the conductive salt is dissolved. The sensor is used, for example, for sensing and measuring gases especially in transcutaneous measurement of blood gases.

Abstract: An ion-chromatography system for analyzing one or more ionic species of a given polarity in solution, the system comprising an ion-exchange material reactive with such species, an eluant fluid, means for adding the eluant fluid and ionic species to the separation column, a stripper column and a detector. The eluant fluid includes at least a pair of electrically neutral molecular species reactive with one another to provide ionic constituents, the molecular species being in substantial equilibrium with the ionic constituents. The stripper column is positioned at the outlet of the separation column to receive the eluant fluid from the latter and reduce the concentration of the ionic constituents in the eluant fluid. The stripper column includes a conduit relatively permeable to the neutral molecular species in the eluant and relatively impermeable to the ionic constituents.

Abstract: An improved electrode for detecting ion concentration and a method of manufacturing such an electrode. The electrode includes concentric glass tubes, including an inner tube which is filled with a filling solution and a larger, outer tube which extends above the level of the filling solution in the inner tube. A metal contact is immersed in the filling solution and extends outside the inner tube through a hermetic seal to allow electrical contact to be made to the filling solution. The inner tube is made of a different glass from the outer tube so that the inner tube will absorb radiation at selected wavelengths which are transmitted by the outer tube. The inner tube is illuminated with radiation of the proper wavelength so that the inner tube melts and collapses around the metal contact to form the hermetic seal. In an alternate embodiment, the electrode has an inner tube which is made of two different types of glass. An apparatus for mechanizing the electrode sealing process is also described.