Abstract: Novel apparatuses and methods for depositing or placing substances on substrates or plates are described. The invention relates to automated and semiautomated apparatuses and methods for controlled volume and precise placement of substances on substrates. Combinations of applicator tips, applicator tip assemblies, applicator reservoirs, applicator holders and movable racks precisely and accurately place samples and testing chemicals on substrates. Applicator tips particularly useful for dunk transfer and deposit processes and for carrying substances are disclosed. Apparatuses for precisely moving applicator holders, applicator reservoirs and tips are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses also have features for pre-loading substances on applicators and applicator reservoirs and precisely delivering the preloaded substances to substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrophoresing a sample and for thereafter either scanning in the visible mode or the fluorescent mode, under control of a central processor, to provide scanning densitometry of the electrophoresed sample, and with the fluorescent mode scanning being performed in situ. The apparatus includes a gantry which moves from left to right in the XY plane. The gantry draws, delivers and deposits the samples and reagents, and includes safety devices to prevent the gantry from movement and damage when there are obstructions in the path of the gantry. A fluorescent scanning unit is moved by X- and Y-direction motors to position a photomultiplier over an electrophoresed sample. In this way, the electrophoretic sample can remain fixed in place during sample delivery, ultraviolet exposure and measurement operations.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: A platform for conducting electrophoresis includes a support, at least one first electrode which extends upward from the support, and at least one second electrode which also extends upward from the support. An electrophoresis plate is deposited on the support during a medical testing procedure. The electrophoresis plate includes a substrate and an electrophoretic medium layer on the substrate, the electrophoretic medium layer having first and second end regions. The at least one first electrode of the platform extends through a corresponding hole in the substrate to electrically contact the first end region of the electrophoretic medium layer and the at least one second electrode extends through a corresponding hole in the substrate to electrically contact the second end region of the electrophoretic medium layer. This arrangement makes it easy to install the electrophoresis plate on the platform and also provides good electrical contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: A support system for an equipment housing includes a pair of screw-adjustable legs at one end of the housing and a pivoting trestle at the other end. The pivoting trestle is made of two channel members, one nested inside the other. The channel members have side walls, and a bolt extends through holes in the side walls to pivotally mount one member with respect to the other. Alternatively, the members can be pivotally connected together using a ball-and-socket or cylinder-and-sleeve connection. The housing can be levelled by adjusting the effective length of the two legs, and the trestle automatically pivots to accommodate these adjustments as they are made.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: A pump for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, is connected to a body member which includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube with the pump for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents. A second or supplemental vent is provided in the pump.

Abstract: A platform for conducting electrophoresis includes a support, at least one first electrode which extends upward from the support, and at least one second electrode which also extends upward from the support. An electrophoresis plate is deposited on the support during a medical testing procedure. The electrophoresis plate includes a substrate and an electrophoretic medium layer on the substrate, the electrophoretic medium layer having first and second end regions. The at least one first electrode of the platform extends through a corresponding hole in the substrate to electrically contact the first end region of the electrophoretic medium layer and the at least one second electrode extends through a corresponding hole in the substrate to electrically contact the second end region of the electrophoretic medium layer. This arrangement makes it easy to install the electrophoresis plate on the platform and also provides good electrical contact with the electrodes.

Abstract: A support system for an equipment housing includes a pair of screw-adjustable legs at one end of the housing and a pivoting trestle at the other end. The pivoting trestle is made of two generally U-shaped channel members, one nested inside the other. The channel members have side walls, and a bolt extends through holes in the side walls to pivotally mount one channel with respect to the other. The housing can be levelled by adjusting the effective length of the two legs, and the trestle automatically pivots to accommodate these adjustments as they are made.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a test tube includes a pump and a cannula assembly including a fluid transfer cannula and a vent cannula housed partially within the pump. Biological fluid may be both collected and delivered with the apparatus, and the apparatus may remain attached to the test tube during processing of the collected biological fluid sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing unreacted protein and unreacted antisera from a gel plate during immunofixation electrophoresis. The apparatus includes a pressure plate movable toward and away from a fixed base for exerting a desired force on the electrophoresis plate. A stop member limits the movement of the pressure plate toward the fixed base thus controlling the amount of pressure on the electrophoresis plate.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a sealed test tube includes a pump and a housing, the housing having a movable portion, and a cannula assembly mounted relative to the housing. Biological fluid is withdrawn from a patient and flows through the pump and housing into the interior of the sealed test tube. The pump is actuated initially to release a delivery conduit and to move the housing such that part of the cannula assembly pierces the test tube seal. The pump is thereafter actuated to pressurize the contents of the test tube such that aliquots may be dispensed through the cannula assembly and delivery tube.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection and dispensing apparatus for attachment to a test tube includes a pump and a cannula assembly housed partially within the pump including a fluid transfer cannula and a vent cannula. Biological fluid or other fluid can be both collected and delivered with the apparatus, which apparatus may remain attached to the test tube during any processing of the collected biological fluid sample.

Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for attaching one or more pump mechanisms to a like number of sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support attached to the frame for releasably supporting one or more pump mechanisms, a test tube holder for releasably holding one or more test tubes, the holder movably engaging and being displaceable on the base of the frame into position in alignment with the support, and a manually operated insertion mechanism, attached to the frame, for displacing the support towards the holder (with test tubes therein), to puncture the closure of a test tube with a pump mechanism. Using the apparatus includes placing one or more test tubes having closures into the holder, displacing the holder into position, placing one or more pump mechanisms in the support, and manually activating the insertion mechanism to puncture the one or more closures with the one or more pump mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted to provide electrophoresis current sheets in opposite longitudinal directions of an electrophoresis plate is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to work with an existing automatic electrophoresis machine which performs all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions automatically under computer control. The apparatus of the invention re-routes the normal polarity of electrodes of the automatic electrophoresis machine into a configuration such that a center electrode bar has positive electric potential applied to it and two end electrodes have negative electrical potential applied to them.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing pump mechanisms to test tubes sealed by a closure such that the contents of the test tubes may be discharged without removing the closure. The apparatus includes a rack for holding a plurality of pump mechanisms, each of the pump mechanisms including a downwardly extending needle or the like for penetrating the closure of the test tube. The test tubes are arranged within a tray in a plurality of rows, and each row is sequentially advanced into position. As each row is in position, the pump mechanism is moved toward the row of test tubes to penetrate the test tube closures. The pump mechanisms thereafter released, the rack filled with a next series of pump mechanisms, the test tube array indexed, and the cycle of steps is repeated. The pump mechanism needles are initially imbedded in a protective packaging. The apparatus strips away the protective packaging to expose the sharpened points or tips of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current to the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading fluorescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. Mechanical aligning apparatus is provided for precisely aligning pipettes with application wells on the sample strip. Electrode bars and reagent spreader bars are provided to apply electrophoresing current to the strip and to spread reagent dumped onto the strip after electrophoresis. Circular indentations as well as rectangular indentations are provided as application wells on the sample strip.