Abstract: The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of electrophoretically separating macromolecular species, as well as compositions and systems useful in carrying out such methods. Specifically, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a substrate that has at least a first capillary channel disposed therein. The surface of the channel has a first surface charge associated therewith, and is filled with a water soluble surface adsorbing polymer solution that bears a net charge that is the same as the charge on the capillary surface.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides microfluidic devices which incorporate improved channel and reservoir geometries, as well as methods of using these devices in the analysis, preparation, or other manipulation of fluid borne materials, to achieve higher throughputs of such materials through these devices, with lower cost, material and/or space requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of electrophoretically separating macromolecular species, as well as compositions and systems useful in carrying out such methods. Specifically, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a substrate that has at least a first capillary channel disposed therein. The surface of the channel has a first surface charge associated therewith, and is filled with a water soluble surface adsorbing polymer solution that bears a net charge that is the same as the charge on the capillary surface.

Abstract: An assay and sample mixture for the enumeration of fluorescently stained target components of a whole blood sample by an imaging instrument. The sample preparation method ensures that the amount of target components per unit of volume of the whole blood sample is preserved by elimination of certain non-quantitative preparation steps while producing an even hematocrit layer within a scan capillary. Typical target components include white blood cells that express certain surface antigens, such as CD-4 and CD-8 proteins. To inhibit aggregation of the red blood cells, a reagent is added to an aliquot of whole blood sample. The aliquot of whole blood is mixed and with a preselected amount of a fluorescent dye and ligand complex which tags the target components.

Abstract: An assay and sample mixture for the enumeration of fluorescently stained target components of a whole blood sample by an imaging instrument. The sample preparation method ensures that the amount of target components per unit of volume of the whole blood sample is preserved by elimination of certain non-quantitative preparation steps while producing an even hematocrit layer within a scan capillary. Typical target components include white blood cells that express certain surface antigens, such as CD-4 and CD-8 proteins. To inhibit aggregation of the red blood cells, a reagent is added to an aliquot of whole blood sample. The aliquot of whole blood is mixed and with a preselected amount of a fluorescent dye and ligand complex which tags the target components.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a scanning imaging cytometer wherein an unprocessed biological fluid sample is reacted with a fluorescently-labeled binding agent. The reacted sample undergoes minimal processing before it is placed into a capillary tube. The sample is optically scanned and fluorescence excitation is recorded from a plurality of columnar regions of the capillary tube, each columnar region generally defined by the spot size of the excitation beam and the depth dimension of the capillary tube. A spatial filter of a sufficient pinhole diameter is selected to allow simultaneous volumetric detection of all fluorescent targets in each columnar region.

Abstract: A method of filling a capillary with a substantially void-free gel by forming the gel outside of the capillary and then extruding the gel into the capillary. The initial gel can be formed as a rod of gel much larger in diameter than the capillary into which it is to be extruded. This rod of gel is rinsed to remove polymerization contaminants and then dried to form a dried gel preform. The gel can be resolvated with a compatible solvent and then extruded into one or more capillaries.

Abstract: A disposable cartridge for a capillary electrophoresis instrument in which short capillary tube segments are used for simultaneous multiple lane separations. The cartridge contains all separation components of the instrument which come in contact with the sample and is capable of automatically loading a quantitative portion of a bulk sample into the capillary tube segments. Electrophoresis occurs without bulk flow through the capillaries, which are scanned in situ by the instrument.

Abstract: This invention provides improved means for displaying and preserving specimens of various kinds, such as flower blossoms. The medium for encapsulating the specimen is a resin material which, when fully cured, is soft and pliable, having a cone penetration value of about 80 to about 400 (10-.sup.1 mm) (ASTM D217-68 or D1403-69) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 100% (ASTM D638-80 or D412). This invention also provides a system for collecting specimens, preserving and dehydrating them, and transporting them to another site where the specimens are encapsulated in the soft, pliable resin for final preservation and display.

Abstract: A supported, substantially uniform matrix for use in electric field-induced separation of molecular components in a sample. The matrix is prepared by forming a viscoelastic polymer matrix and pumping the matrix into a capillary or preparative-scale tube. The polymer type, concentration, and molecular weight are selected to optimize separation of protein or nucleic acid components. The matrix can be expelled from the tube, after fractionation, for analysis and/or recovery of fractionated components.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing an index matching coating material onto an end of an optical fiber to be terminated includes a reservoir formed by a floor and sidewalls with a small portion of the index matching coating material being disposed on a top surface of the floor. An interior perimeter shape of the sidewalls is registrable with an external perimeter shape of an optical fiber contact to which the optical fiber is secured which allows the index matching material to be conveniently disposed on an end of the optical fiber by simply inserting the optical fiber contact into the reservoir.

Abstract: A gel and container means capable of protecting a binding post and drop wire from moisture and corrosion is provided which will effectively prevent the exposure of the drop wire and binding post cap and screw from moisture and corrosive atmospheres without the need for a pressure maintaining means other than the combination of the cap and gel. The pressure of the gel is maintained on the binding post through the extraction of plasticizers from the container means causing a shrinkage.

Abstract: The present invention provides curable gel compositions and also cured gel compositions which possess unexpectedly superior combinations of physical properties and aging resistance. These compositions are particularly useful for environmentally protecting substrates especially electrical conductors, connectors and splices and for sealing around jacketed cables, for example, where they enter splice cases.

Abstract: A method for making a dispenser-package for holding a small quantity of fiber-optic coating material and for use in applying same to a fiber optic.The sealant or coating material is introduced into container with a hypodermic needle.

Abstract: This invention provides for the radiation grafting of certain organopolysiloxanes to polymeric supports. The organopolysiloxane material is partially crosslinked mixture which contains from about 10% to about 90% by weight of uncrosslinked organopolysiloxane oil and has a cone penetration of about 100 to about 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 100%. The organopolysiloxane fluid may be placed on the polymeric support and crosslinked to produce an organopolysiloxane material having the above properties and being bonded to the polymeric support. The organopolysiloxane material also can be crosslinked to the above properties by conventional means then placed in contact with the polymeric support and irradiated to crosslink the material to the polymeric support without substantially changing the properties of the organopolysiloxane material.

Abstract: This invention provides for the radiation grafting of certain organopolysiloxanes to polymeric supports. The organopolysiloxane material is partially crosslinked mixture which contains from about 10% to about 90% by weight of uncrosslinked organopolysiloxane oil and has a cone penetration of about 100 to about 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 100%. The organopolysiloxane fluid may be placed on the polymeric support and crosslinked to produce an organopolysiloxane material having the above properties and being bonded to the polymeric support. The organopolysiloxane material also can be crosslinked to the above properties by conventional means then placed in contact with the polymeric support and irradiated to crosslink the material to the polymeric support without substantially changing the properties of the organopolysiloxane material.

Abstract: This invention provides E.M.I. gaskets for electrically shielding and environmentally sealing the space between two surfaces which comprises a metallic electrically conductive deformable structure adapted for forming electrical contact with said surfaces and/or providing electrical shielding in the space between said surfaces; and a gel material for sealing the space between said surfaces having a cone penetration value of about 100 to about 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200% and being present in sufficient amount and positioned to provide environmental seal between said surfaces and to provide environmental protection for said metallic structure. The gel may encapsulate the entire metallic structure so that portions of the metallic structure pierces through the gel when the gasket is installed to make electrical contact.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for the preparation of an article from a blend of at least two molecularly compatible polymers by treating the blend with a solvent which is a solvent for one of the polymers and a non-solvent for the other. The solvent can be removed while the article is restrained from undergoing substantial shrinkage, in which case a microporous article is obtained. Alternatively, the solvent can be removed while the article is permitted to shrink. In this case high shrinkage force (also referred to as recovery force) results which can be utilized to apply the article to a substrate. The final and intermediate articles are novel. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a microporous article having an average pore size of about 0.005 microns to about 1 micron.

Abstract: This invention provides new heat transfer materials comprising gels and particulate fillers and having a composite heat transfer coefficient greater than 2 watts/m-.degree. K. and preferably greater than 15. The materials are easily conformable to irregularly shaped surfaces and have low TO-3 thermal impedance values, e.g., less than 0.5 at 300 psi mounting pressure.