Abstract: As method of determining an analyte is described, where a medium suspected of containing an analyte is drawn into a capillary tube by capillary action, such that if the analyte is present, it becomes immobilized in the tube. This medium is expelled from the tube and, optionally, one or more additional reagents are similarly drawn up and expelled. When the last fluid is expelled from the tube, a pendulous drop is caused to form at the opening of the capillary tube and is examined for the presence or intensity of the signal, which is related to the presence or amount of analyte in the medium.

Abstract: Rapid and accurate identifying and enumerating of microorganisms is carried out with an apparatus having an electrical cell, an optical sensing assembly, an automated microbial sample delivery means and an electrical signal processing means. The electrical cell contains a chamber having an inlet and outlet and paired electrodes located adjacent walls of the chamber. The optical sensing assembly has a laser light source to pass a beam of laser light through the electrical cell and between the electrodes, and a laser light detector in alignment with the light source to receive laser light emerging from the electrical cell. The electrical signal processing means translates variations in birefringence caused by a microbial sample into quantitative data. In operation of the apparatus, a polarized beam of laser light passes through a microbial sample containing an inhibiting reagent while the sample is in an electrical field between the electrodes, and the extend of birefringence is measured.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for rapid and accurate identifying and enumerating of microorganisms. A sample believed to contain a certain microorganism is combined with an inhibiting reagent having a known specificity for the microorganism. The combined sample and inhibiting reagent is placed in an alternating current electrical field having a frequency sufficiently high to cause alignment of microbial cells in the sample. A polarized beam of laser light is then passed through the sample and the extent of birefringence is measured. The measured birefringence is compared with that of a control sample known to contain the microorganism under investigation to determine the microorganism in the sample.

Abstract: A rotatable detector for continuously monitoring twelve blood samples being evaluated by an instrument is disclosed. Each sample is held in a separate cuvette forming part of a cuvette tray. A single bulb illuminates all twelve cuvettes and the light passing through each cuvette is carried to a separate detector for that cuvette by a respective one of twelve light pipes. The cuvette tray receptacle bulb and twelve detectors all rotate as a unit to permit reagent dispensing at a single station while continuously monitoring the light transmission of each sample.

Abstract: The effect of angular errors or mismatching indices of refraction of color-compensation prisms of Abbe refractometers can be virtually eliminated by decentration of the lens used to image light on the refractometer reticle.

Abstract: Contact lens sterilizer has a timer operating a catch for holding a capsule containing contact lenses in sterilizing solution in a sterilizing position. In this position, the capsule is inclined toward inversion. When the timer releases the catch after a predetermined period of time, the capsule swings to a substantially inverted position. In this position, a catalyst contained in one end of the capsule contacts the sterilizing solution to neutralize the same. Optionally, a lock mechanism prevents removal of the capsule from the sterilizer until neutralization is complete.