Abstract: A cartridge for holding a test specimen with an extremely small volume. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. The cartridge has a stopper having a pair of seals, the first of which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the second, of which seals the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stepper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants and the vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a test specimen with an extremely small volume. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. The cartridge has a stopper having a pair of seals, the first of which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the second of which seals the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants and the vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber.

Abstract: The rotor assembly is provided for the separation and harvesting of rare cells in a blood sample. A displacing fluid reservoir is located at least partially radially inward of a centrifuging chamber, wherein a displacing fluid of a greater density than the fluid in the centrifuging chamber is retained in the displacing fluid reservoir. Upon rotation of the rotor assembly, the displacing fluid is allowed to pass into the centrifuging chamber, typically at an outer periphery of the centrifuging chamber, so as to urge the latest separated component in the centrifuging chamber through an outlet port coincident with the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge for holding a test specimen with an extremely small volume. The cartridge has a test chamber and a vestibule through which the test fluids are inserted into the test chamber. The cartridge has a stopper having a pair of seals, the first of which seals the test chamber inlet between the vestibule and the test chamber, and the second of which seals the mouth of the vestibule so that when the stopper is in place, the test chamber is closed to the admission of air or other contaminants and the vestibule is similarly closed against escape of the overflow from the test chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid collection device wherein multiple, individual, samples of fluid can be withdrawn simultaneously. The device includes an evacuated chamber and an adapter which substantially simultaneously distributes the blood to each individual chamber.

Abstract: There are disclosed coaters that repeatedly and intermittently apply a uniform, thin coating of liquid onto a support at a rate that does not exceed the maximum swell rate of the support. Thus, developer liquid can be applied to photographic paper supports without leaving behind liquid effluent.The coater features a delivery channel leading from a manifold chamber to a slit orifice, the channel being improved in that it contains a plurality of spaced-apart wall portions connecting the opposed flow surfaces of the delivery channel, that extend in a direction towards the slit orifice, and structure inside the orifice for coalescing the individual streams fed by these wall portions, into a continuous strip of liquid to be dispensed by the slit orifice.

Abstract: A device and method constructed to collect a liquid into a device so that the liquid is first drawn in to an intermediate point by capillary attraction only, and then from that intermediate point further by gravity. The device features two apertured portions connected at the intermediate point so as to be angled to each other. The first portion provides the capillary attraction through its aperture by preferably oppositely disposed surfaces spaced a distance no greater than that which will maintain capillary flow into that portion through the aperture; The second portion provides gravity flow further into the device from the intermediate point by a spacing of the opposed surfaces a distance effective to allow gravity to passively overcome any surface attraction caused by the opposed surfaces, and the inclination of that portion to drop below the horizontal plane extending from the intermediate point.

Abstract: A needle device and method of use are disclosed, wherein the needle moves out of and into a protective housing, between two operative positions, one of which causes the housing to shield the needle. Each operative position includes releasable locking detents to temporarily hold the needle in one of those positions, the holding force of one being less than the other. A third position beyond the one that shields the needle in the housing is used to permanently lock the needle in the housing against accidental reuse.The needle device can be used with a blood collection container or a syringe drug delivery container, each one releasably mating with the device during use.

Abstract: An analyzer features an incubator and a whole blood centrifuge, each using a separate rotor, and a serum-dispensing station in between them. A transfer mechanism is also included for moving a container used in the rotor to separate serum from blood cells, out of the rotor to the dispensing station. The serum is then dispensed directly from such container onto a test element, which is transferred to the incubator.

Abstract: There are disclosed pipette tips having a wettable exterior surface shaped to force liquid that wets it to not fall under the influence of gravity to the terminal surface at which the dispensing aperture is located. For this, the radius R.sub.o of that wettable surface at the terminal surface satisfies the equation (I) R.sub.o <(.sigma./.rho.g).sup.1/2 and the slope of the wettable surface satisfies the equation (II) dz/dr<(.sigma..sup.2 /(.rho.gr.sup.2).sup.2 -1).sup.1/2 where dz/dr is the rate of change in the height per the rate of change of distance from the axis of symmetry of the tip.

Abstract: A needle device and method of use are disclosed, wherein the needle moves out of and into a protective housing, between two operative positions, one of which causes the housing to shield the needle. Each operative position includes releasable locking detents to temporarily hold the needle in one of those positions, the holding force of one being less than the other. A third position beyond the one that shields the needle in the housing is used to permanently lock the needle in the housing against accidental reuse. The needle device can be used with a blood collection container or a syringe drug delivery container, each one releasably mating with the device during use.

Abstract: An integrated blood collection, separation and dispensing device is disclosed that allows a method of blood collection, serum separation and serum dispensing to occur using a single device (other than a centrifuge). The device preferably includes a transfer chamber for receiving separated serum, that has a three-dimensional shape that is reduced in volume and is configured to avoid air entrapment. A dispensing aperture in the transfer chamber fluidly connects the chamber with the atmosphere. Preferably, means are provided adjacent the dispensing aperture for generating a liquid pressure change indication of the presence of liquid advancing towards the dispensing aperture. A needle and a protective housing optionally are provided as an integral part of the device.

Abstract: A combination is disclosed of a handle and a member that is either a phlebotomy device or a drug-injecting syringe. The handle removably attaches by a mating pivot pin and aperture disposed relative to the axis of the handle and the member to ensure that the unlatched configuration is geometrically different from the latched configuration. Latching is achieved by a hook member on one that engages a recessed groove on the other, simply by pivoting the handle until its axis coincides with the axis of the member.

Abstract: There are disclosed a container and a method of aspirating body liquids, that allow controlled capillary attraction to hold the liquid in place for storage, but not so tightly that the liquid cannot be aspirated away. A mass of compatible porous material is used in the container and comprises fibers with a controlled capillary attraction that supports a column of water that is between about 2 mm and about 60 mm in height.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that causes phase separation of whole blood, using much lower centrifugal forces. As a result, lymphocytes are separated from blood cells having specific gravities of 1.08 g/ml or higher. The device features a separation chamber arranged so that its long dimension or axis is parallel, not perpendicular, to the spin axis, and a valve that allows automatic removal of the lighter phase(s). The valve is constructed to respond only to the head of liquid pressure generated by an increased centrifugal force, and not to that increased force alone.

Abstract: A method of use is disclosed of a device that causes phase separation of whole blood, using much lower centrifugal forces. As a result, leukocytes are separated from blood cells having specific gravities of 1.09 g/ml or higher. The method preferably uses a separation chamber arranged so that its long dimension or axis is parallel, not perpendicular, to the spin axis, and a valve that allows automatic removal of the ligher phase(s).In one aspect, the method separates a lighter phase from a heavier phase, for example, lymphocytes from whole blood, using a centrifugal force of reduced amount. In another aspect, DNA is extracted readily from the separated lighter phase since it is less likely that the lighter phase will be contaminated by erythrocytes as occurs in conventional separation techniques.

Abstract: A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: A combination of a pipette and a liquid transfer apparatus is disclosed. The liquid transfer apparatus comprises a frame defining a liquid inlet aperture connected by a first passageway to a dispensing aperture, an air vent aperture connected by a second passageway that extends toward the first passageway, and a valve interposed between the two passageways to alternate between allowing continuous liquid flow along the first passageway, or continuous air flow along the second passageway and part of the first passageway.

Abstract: There is described a container for phase separation of at least two phases via centrifugation. Means are provided to prevent remixing, such means comprising porous mechanical means such as surfaces fixed in place and inclined at an angle to resist flow of the heavier phase upon removal of the lighter phase, such that remixing of the phases is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are described, wherein a coagulator accelerator is added to a container to achieve agglutination of blood cells when centrifuging whole blood, allowing the serum to be more easily poured off. The accelerator is selected from polymeric amines that are either polymerized amino acids or vinyl addition polymer amines, with a specified molecular weight range, the vinyl addition amines being selected to avoid lysing the blood cells.