Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for collecting and storing chemical samples and transferring those samples to analytical devices for analysis. In one implementation the device includes an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals. In another implementation, the device includes an analytical device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with a sampling device. In another implementation, the device includes a sampling device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with an analytical device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas chromatograph assembly. In one implementation, the assembly includes a sample injector and a guard column assembly. The guard column assembly includes a guard column connected to and downstream of the sample injector; a jacket with low thermal mass surrounding the guard column; a temperature controlled heater connected to the jacket to control the temperature of the jacket and thereby the temperature of the guard column; and an insulating housing surrounding the jacket. An analytical column is connected to and downstream of the guard column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for collecting and storing chemical samples and transferring those samples to analytical devices for analysis. In one implementation the device includes an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals. In another implementation, the device includes an analytical device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with a sampling device. In another implementation, the device includes a sampling device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with an analytical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for determining the remission of a chemistry (106) which reacts with a medically significant component of a body fluid. The remission of the chemistry (106) changes as it reacts. The method and apparatus (10) include irradiating the chemistry (106) with a radiation source (182), detecting remissions of radiation from the chemistry (106) with a radiation detector (300), providing a radiation pathway (164) between the source (182) and the chemistry (106), providing a remission pathway (164) between the chemistry (106) and the detector (300), and detecting the rate of change of remission of the chemistry (106) with respect to time.

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing test strips supporting chemistries which react with a medically significant component of a body fluid to indicate the concentration of the component in the body fluid. The instrument includes a pathway along which radiation is guided from a radiation source to a strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument and along which remission is guided from the strip to a radiation detector. A title provided on the instrument provides a first remission when no strip is inserted into the instrument. The tile is separated from the radiation source by the strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument. The first remission and the strip's remission, respectively, indicate the absence and the presence of the strip in the instrument. The strip also has a surface opposite the chemistry supporting surface characterized by a second strip remission different from the first strip remission.