Abstract: A sound damping wallboard and methods of forming a sound damping wallboard are disclosed. The sound damping wallboard comprises a gypsum layer with a gypsum surface having an encasing layer. The encasing layer is partially removed to expose the gypsum surface and form a gypsum surface portion and a first encasing layer portion on the gypsum layer. A sound damping layer is applied to the gypsum layer to cover at least part of the gypsum surface portion and the encasing layer portion.

Abstract: A dispensing device and the method of making same for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes a housing, a first assembly connected to the first end of the housing that includes a body portion, and a penetrating sub-assembly. The first assembly also includes a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient. Disposed within the housing is a second assembly that includes a shuttle, a collapsible container carried by the shuttle and a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. Connected to the second end of the housing is a novel third assembly that includes an operating member that functions to controllably move the shuttle forwardly of the housing.

Abstract: A dispensing device and the method of making same for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes a housing, a first assembly connected to the first end of the housing that includes a body portion, and a penetrating sub-assembly. The first assembly also includes a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient. Disposed within the housing is a second assembly that includes a shuttle, a collapsible container carried by the shuttle and a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. Connected to the second end of the housing is a novel third assembly that includes an operating member that is threadably connected to the shuttle.

Abstract: A dispensing device and the method of making same for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes a housing, a first assembly connected to the first end of the housing that includes a body portion, and a penetrating sub-assembly. The first assembly also includes a rate control chip of novel construction that is connected to the penetrating sub-assembly and functions to control the rate of flow of medicinal fluid to the patient. Disposed within the housing is a second assembly that includes a shuttle, a collapsible container carried by the shuttle and a plurality of variable force springs that function to thrust the collapsible container into penetrating engagement with the penetrating member of the penetrating assembly and then to collapse the collapsible container to deliver the medicinal fluid to the patient. Connected to the second end of the housing is a novel third assembly that includes an operating member that is threadably connected to the shuttle.

Abstract: A mixing system comprises an elongate rotatable shaft having a rotational axis. A plurality of holding members extend radially outward from the shaft and are configured to rotate with the shaft. The system further includes a plurality of carriers that are insertable between two of the holding members. Each of the carriers includes a plurality of grooves, pairs of which are adapted to receive a cartridge having a chamber for holding a liquid.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

Abstract: A rate nephelometer of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The nephelometer includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: A nephelometer and nephelometer/turbidimeter combination of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The combination includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

Abstract: A non-liquid scatter standard for use in nephelometry and turbidimetry systems which comprises a clear silicon rubber gel in which an effective light scattering amount of inorganic particles are suspended. The particles have an index of refraction greater than that of the silicon rubber gel.

Abstract: A method for carrying out an immunoassay for an analyte in which a sample suspected of containing an analyte and reagents useful for detecting the analyte of interest are combined in an aqueous medium, wherein one of the reagents includes a support and one includes a label, the improvement comprising employing as the reagents a first and second conjugate, each comprised of a specific binding pair (sbp) member bound to a small molecule wherein the small molecules of each conjugate are different.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a binding assay is described wherein a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) and a sample are combined with a matrix of non-porous beads in a liquid medium under conditions such that the beads bind to the sbp member. The liquid medium is removed from the beads by aspiration using an aspiration tube having one or more orifices each of a diameter smaller than the minimum diameter of the smallest bead thereby allowing removal of the liquid medium while prohibiting aspiration of the beads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for defining a small interrogation volume in a liquid sample suspected of containing an analyte. The apparatus and method utilize a dual optical fiber probe constructed with the ends of the optical fibers at the liquid-fiber interface spatially oriented such that the intersection of their longitudinal axes forms an included angle ranging from about 40.degree. to 140.degree.. By appropriate choice of the numerical aperture and core diameter of the optical fibers and the separation distance between the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers at the liquid-fiber interface, a finite interrogation volume of predetermined size and independent of the total liquid sample volume can be defined. The apparatus and method substantially reduce background interference with corresponding increase in assay sensitivity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for defining a small interrogation volume in a liquid sample suspected of containing an analyte. The apparatus and method utilize a dual optical fiber probe constructed with the ends of the optical fibers at the liquid/fiber interface spatially oriented such that the intersection of their longitudinal axes forms an included angle ranging from about 40.degree. to 140.degree.. By appropriate choice of the numerical aperture and core diameter of the optical fibers and the separation distance between the longitudinal axes of the optical fibers at the liquid/fiber interface, a finite interrogation volume of predetermined size and independent of the total liquid sample volume can be defined. The apparatus and method substantially reduce background interference with corresponding increase in assay sensitivity.