Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing errors in textile machines via training management of the operating personnel.

Abstract: Evaporation control for a fluid supply, such as used in a clinical analyzer, can be provided by utilizing a straw-like insert which is disposed into a fluid-containing bottle. The straw provides an increased diffusion length or “stagnant” zone. The bottle can also be configured to effectively reduce evaporation in a similar manner by providing a narrowed diameter prior to the fluid retaining portion of the bottle and by increasing the distance between the top of the bottle and the top of the fluid surface.

Abstract: A method of providing motion to a sample during a reaction phase in an incubator of a clinical analyzer includes: providing an analyzer containing an incubator, wherein the incubator has one or more cells for containing sample and optionally one or more reagents; moving the incubator to position one or more cells to perform an operation, the operation includes dispensing a sample and optionally one or more reagents into each of the one or more cells; and additionally moving the incubator in such a manner that the number of motions of the one or more cells during the reaction phase for an assay does not substantially change as a function of the number of samples being analyzed in the incubator or the order of the sample in the incubator for the same assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry analytical element useful for the determination and quantification of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) that uses yeast lipase from Candida rugosa, a lipase enzyme source that has cholesterol esterase activity, which preferentially reacts with the cholesterol esters of HDL over cholesterol esters of other lipoproteins.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quantifying cholesterol in high-density lipoproteins in a single step assay using a dry slide. The method for quantifying cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein comprises a first step of adding a sample onto a multi-layered dry slide wherein at least one of the layers contains phosphotungstic acid and another contains a high-density lipoprotein selective surfactant. The phosphotungstic acid precipitates non-high-density lipoproteins while the high-density lipoprotein selective surfactant only solubilizes high-density lipoproteins and does not solubilize non-HDL precipitated complexes. The cholesterol esterase then reacts with the solubilized HDL cholesterol esters to form cholesterol. Finally the cholesterol in the high-density lipoprotein is detected and quantified.

Abstract: A dry analytical element is disclosed which can be used for the quantification of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). The element comprises a support having one or more reagent layers containing a first enzyme, a cholesterol ester hydrolase, to hydrolyze cholesterol esters, a second enzyme, cholesterol oxidase, to release hydrogen peroxide from cholesterol, and a third enzyme, horseradish peroxidase, to oxidize a leuco dye that is read at 670 nm. The element also contains phosphotungstic acid, a non-high-density lipoprotein precipitant, and a high-density lipoprotein selective surfactant, which together confer HDLC selectivity on the assay. Also disclosed are polymers that improve assay precision and eliminate interference from hemolyzed patient samples.

Abstract: Evaporation control for a fluid supply, such as used in a clinical analyzer, can be provided by utilizing a straw-like insert which is disposed into a fluid-containing bottle. The straw provides an increased diffusion length or “stagnant” zone. The bottle can also be configured to effectively reduce evaporation in a similar manner by providing a narrowed diameter prior to the fluid retaining portion of the bottle and by increasing the distance between the top of the bottle and the top of the fluid surface.

Abstract: A dry analytical element is disclosed which can be used to sensitively and rapidly detect and quantitate protein. The assays are carried out using a dye that reacts with protein and molybdate ion to produce a measurable change in the spectral absorption of the dye. Also disclosed are polymers which stabilize and enhance the accuracy of the assay, and compounds which reduce interference by bicarbonate.