Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in red blood cell, characterized by an optionally automated, continuous-flow, self-contained electroporation system which allows withdrawal of blood from a patient, separation of red blood cells, encapsulation of a biologically-active substances in the cells, and optional recombination of blood plasma and the modified red blood cells thereby producing blood with modified biological characteristics. The present invention is particularly suited for use to encapsulate allosteric effectors of hemoglobin, thereby reducing the affinity of erythrocytes for oxygen and improving the release of oxygen from erythrocytes in tissues.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing immunoassays which is essentially self-contained, requiring only the introduction of a sample and, at appropriate times, washing solution. The apparatus (10) includes: a fluid container (12) having a central platform area with a reaction area (30) which can contain a reactive agent; a sample receiving chamber (22) having a sample conduit (24) located above the porous medium; at least one openable reagent container (46); a conduit (28) for directing reagents onto the porous medium; an opening member (50) attached to the upper unit and positioned to contact and open reagent containers sequentially, by incremental relative rotation of the upper and base units; and a window (34) for viewing the reaction area. The apparatus can also include a sampler member (58) in the nature of a tampon for assays involving samples taken from body cavities.

Abstract: A gel body is provided with a reagent system which interacts with a sample portion which diffuses into the gel to change the transmissive properties of the gel. The gel body is used in an assay for various analytes, and preferably has a shape and index of refraction whereby a beam of light can be transmitted through the gel body by total internal reflectance.

Abstract: Apparatus for and process of facilitating reaction between analyte contained in a sample and test reagent system at least one of which sample and test reagent system is a liquid, wherein the liquid one of the sample and test reagent system is placed in a reservoir, the other of the analyte and test reagent system is placed in capillary means dimensioned for entry into the reservoir, the reservoir and capillary means being mounted for at least relative movement towards each other and entry of the capillary means into the reservoir to draw by capillary attraction the liquid one of the sample and test reagent system from the reservoir into the capillary means and to bring the analyte and test reagent system into contact in the capillary means and facilitate the reaction.

Abstract: A new and immunochemically useful reagent is disclosed for the detection of rheumatoid factors (RF) in human blood, plasma, serum or synovial fluid in agglutination reactions, together with a new clinical diagnostic test and test slide using said reagent. The reagent consists essentially of a supply of red cell stroma having absorbed upon their surface a sensitizing agent. Preferably the red cell stroma is sheep red cell stroma, and most preferably the sensitizing agent is rabbit anti-sheep red cell globulin.

Abstract: Disclosed are a reagent and test slide used for serological detection of gonorrheal antibodies in human blood serum or synovial fluid. The reagent comprises latex particles having absorbed on their surfaces an inert protein, such as bovine serum albumin and a heat labile antigen derived from Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria exhibiting T.sub.1 colonial morphology. The reagent may be employed by several forms, for example, as a liquid suspension of the latex particles, or in the form of a dried deposit of the latex particles. Regardless of the form employed, the reagent is particularly useful as a routine screening test in hospitals and prenatal clinics to detect gonococcal infection in women and also in cases of complicated gonorrhea, e.g., gonorrheal arthritis where infection is not conveniently detectable by present means. The test slide may have dried thereon an absorbing antigen for heterophile antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stable preparation of human erythrocytes for use in reverse blood typing comprising erythrocytes hemolyzed by gradual hypotonic hemolysis using a sequence of aqueous hypotonic buffers to form stroma wherein the stroma cells are in the form of discoid bodies having the reticular membrane of the cell substantially intact. The stroma reagent has been found to be highly stable and antigenic in the sense that it contains blood group antigens (carried on the stroma cells), and can be admixed with human blood serum or plasma to determine the presence of hemologous blood group antibodies.