Abstract: A reagent cartridge for a assay device comprises a frame and at least one reagent container. A reagent cartridge frame comprises a plurality of sidewalls, one of the sidewalls includes at least one detent to engage with a flange on a reagent container, and another sidewall includes at least one notch to engage with a rib on the reagent container. The reagent cartridge frame permits various numbers of reagent containers to be placed in the frame at any position and in any order depending on the assay being performed. The reagent cartridge may also be used with as few as one reagent container.

Abstract: A reagent cartridge for a assay device comprises a frame and at least one reagent container. A reagent cartridge frame comprises a plurality of sidewalls, one of the sidewalls includes at least one detent to engage with a flange on a reagent container, and another sidewall includes at least one notch to engage with a rib on the reagent container. The reagent cartridge frame permits various numbers of reagent containers to be placed in the frame at any position and in any order depending on the assay being performed. The reagent cartridge may also be used with as few as one reagent container.

Abstract: An improved dialysis cell and method for using the same to achieve shorter dialysis times wherein the two dialysis solutions used in the dialysis are brought into greater mutual contact with a semipermeable membrane, requiring the use of a smaller volume of dialysis. Because the dialysis cell is substantially rigid and in the shape of a test tube it can be used with an automated pipettor.

Abstract: A fecal antigen specimen tube apparatus preferably consists of a 16.times.75 mm screw-top specimen tube and a special screw cap assembly. The screw cap has a hollow "straw" with a specimen collection brush on the end. The screw-cap assembly can be removed from the specimen tube so that the brush end may be dipped into a fecal sample and rotated to collect a specimen. The cap assembly with specimen is then screwed back into the specimen tube to seal the container. The straw preferably has a number of openings along its length, which permits fluid to move back and forth through the straw as the specimen tube is agitated. Filters with pore sizes of approximately 100 microns are disposed over the openings to prevent larger pieces of fecal matter from penetrating into the straw. The filter, however, will permit most parasites to pass into the straw. The top of the straw (and cap assembly) is preferably sealed with a heat-seal film. This film seals the specimen tube, preventing spillage and evaporation.

Abstract: A dual injector for an automated immunoassay instrument is provided which allows the sequential detection of two different chemiluminescence labels within one instrument. The injector has four carefully designed orifices. The orifices are designed to work in two pairs. Orifices one and two can be used to inject trigger reagents A and B which can trigger a chemiluminescent reaction, such as acridinium. Orifices three and four can inject trigger reagents C and D for triggering a chemiluminescent reaction, such as luminol. The two pairs can be used in a sequential manner to generate signals in the wells of a cuvette. Thus, it is possible to run both acridinium and luminol based assays on one instrument.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a probe used in analytic equipment--for example, that used in analysis of body fluids--in order to reduce carry-over of materials from one sample to the next. A probe wash is provided in which the simultaneous introduction of pressurized air and water creates a turbulent flow including the use of a pressurized gas stream of short duration to blow the residue of the previous sample out of the probe prior to washing with additional diluent liquid. Also, a waste receptacle is provided which uses a filtered air vent and a liquid saturated material around the probe receiving opening to prevent the escape of aerosols from the receptacle.