Abstract: The litigation cost management system (FIG. 1) provides modules for outlining the process of litigation (12), establishing pricing variables to each step of the litigation (14), all at the outset of the case. A case budget (16) is then generated and the case is managed by outside counsel based upon the agreed upon budget and process. When exceptions occur during the course of litigation, outside counsel electronically submits requests for new work to corporate counsel, which in turn can be approved or denied. Point and click billing allows immediate simplistic invoicing which requires no review by corporate counsel as the work performed has already been approved. Statistical reporting provides corporate counsel with real time analysis of all the cases that are in the system.

Abstract: Assemblies are provided for collecting a sample from a mouth using an integrated sample collection tip. A sample collection assembly includes a sample collection body configured for being placed within the mouth, wherein the sample collection body includes a bore and one or more pores. The sample collection assembly further includes a conduit that disposed within the bore of the sample collection body and that is in fluid communication with the one or more pores. The conduit is bonded within the bore. The sample collection assembly can further include a hand piece that has a tip on which the sample collection body is mounted, and through which the conduit can extend. The pores can include a plurality of micropores. The sample collection body can be hydrophobic, and a hydrophilic surfactant can be disposed on the outer surface of the sample collection body.

Abstract: Assemblies are provided for collecting oral fluid from a mouth of a subject using a hydrophobic/hydrophilic sample collection tip. A sample collection assembly includes a sample collection tip configured for being placed within the mouth, and a conduit in fluid communication with the sample collection tips. The sample collection tip includes a hydrophobic interior and a hydrophilic outer surface. In this manner, the tendency of analytes within the sample to stick to the interior of the sample collection tip is minimized, while allowing wetting of the outer surface of the sample collection tip with the sample to facilitate its collection. The sample collection assembly can further include a hand piece that has a tip on which the sample collection tip is mounted, and through which the conduit can extend. The sample collection tip can have a bore in which the conduit is disposed, e.g., by bonding.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for flowing a single sample through a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers. A flow immunoassay assembly for testing a single sample, includes a sample feed port, a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers for performing a plurality of different assays on the sample, a plurality of sample flow channels in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, and one or more sample drive assemblies configured to pump the sample through the plurality of sample flow channels into the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers. In this manner, several immunoassay tests can be simultaneously performed on the sample.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing self sealing chambers by interference fitting barriers within the chambers are provided. A method of substantially sealing a chamber includes providing a die plate through which a channel extends and a compression plate through which a tapered channel extends. The tapered channel includes a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening. The second opening is equal to or smaller than the chamber opening. The method further includes providing a chamber adapter that has a female portion and a passage extending therethrough, mating the chamber adapter female portion with a compression plate male portion, and associating the chamber with the chamber adapter passage, e.g., by disposing the chamber within the chamber adapter passage.

Abstract: A system, method, and assembly are provided for identifying one or more analytes within bodily fluids, such as saliva. The system includes an analyte tester, an oral aspirator, a conduit that is in fluid communication between the oral aspirator and the tester, and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit. In this manner, the aspirated oral fluid can be pumped directly from the aspirator into the analyte tester for identification of one or more oral fluid analytes. The analyte tester can be a flow immunoassay tester that identifies the five NIDA drugs-of-abuse, and can be configured to identify up to ten different drugs or other analytes. The analyte tester can also be portable, so that it can be conveniently used areas remote from laboratories. The tester may include a chemistry cassette and a test console configured for receiving the chemistry cassette. In this case, the conduit may be in fluid communication with the chemistry cassette.

Abstract: Method and assemblies are provided for selectively distributing and dispensing fluids using a rotary valve for purposes such as performing immunoassay testing. A rotary valve includes a stator and rotor disposed within the stator. The rotor is clockable between a dispense configuration, a first auxiliary dispense configuration, and a second auxiliary dispense configuration. When the rotor is clocked in the dispense configuration, it includes a plurality of dispense channels connected between a plurality of entry dispense ports and a plurality of exit dispense ports disposed in the stator. When the rotor is clocked in the first auxiliary dispense configuration, the rotor includes a first plurality of auxiliary dispense channels connected between a plurality of auxiliary entry dispense ports disposed on the stator and the plurality of exit dispense ports.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for performing an assay on a sample for drugs and alcohol. A drug and alcohol assay assembly includes a sample feed port, and immunoassay reaction chamber containing a drug reagent, and a first sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the immunoassay reaction chamber. The assembly further includes an alcohol reaction chamber configured for containing an alcohol reagent, and a second sample flow channel in fluid communication between the sample feed port and the alcohol reaction chamber. The assembly can further include a first buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, a second buffer flow channel in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a reagent chamber disposed within the buffer flow channel. The reagent chamber can contain dry alcohol reagent.

Abstract: Methods for accurately mixing two solutions, e.g., buffer and sample solutions, are provided. A method of mixing first and second fluids using first, second, and third chambers includes selecting a fluid mixture r, providing the first chamber with a first cross-sectional area A1, providing the third chamber with a second cross-sectional area A2, disposing the first fluid in the first chamber, disposing the second fluid in the second chamber, moving a first plunger within the first chamber at a speed S1 towards a first port to dispense the first solution from the first chamber into the third chamber, and moving a second plunger substantially simultaneously with the first plunger within the third chamber at a speed S2 away from the second port to dispense the second solution from the second chamber into the third chamber, wherein A2S2=A1S1(1+1/r).

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for detecting alcohol using a reconstituted reagent solution. An alcohol reaction assembly includes an alcohol reaction chamber, a reagent chamber in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the reagent chamber. The alcohol reaction assembly further includes a buffer dispense plunger disposed within the buffer chamber for dispensing buffer from the buffer chamber, through the reagent chamber, and into the alcohol reaction chamber, where it hydrates dry reagent therein to produce a reagent solution. The alcohol reaction assembly further includes a calibrator chamber in fluid communication with the alcohol reaction chamber, and a calibrator dispense plunger disposed within the calibrator chamber to dispense a predetermined quantity of alcohol into the alcohol reaction chamber.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for transmitting and detecting energy within a read cell. An orthogonal read assembly includes an immunoassay reaction chamber, a read cell having a lumen in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, a transmitter configured to transmit energy through the lumen, and a detector configured to sense energy emitted transversely from the lumen. The transmitter can include an optical transmitter, such as a laser, and the detector can include an optical detector, e.g., a silicon diode. The optical transmitter can transmit optical energy at an oblique entry angle to the lumen, e.g., 45°, and the optical energy can be sensed by the optical detector at an angle substantially perpendicular to the lumen. The read cell can be composed of a transparent plastic and can be parallel-pipe shaped.

Abstract: Rotary valves with rotors and compliant linings are provided. A rotary valve includes a rigid hollow stator and a rotor disposed within the stator. The rotor includes a rigid core and a compliant lining injection molded onto the rigid core, wherein the compliant lining is sealingly engaged with an inner bearing surface of the stator and includes one or more surface channels that can be placed into fluid communication with one or more ports disposed on the stator. The rigid core is composed of polycarbonate and the compliant lining is composed of polyurethane. The surface channels can be, e.g., arcuate or longitudinal surface channels. The rigid core can include one or more through channels, in which case, the one or more surface channels can intersect the one or more through channels to form a continuous channel.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for mixing a sample and a buffer. A sample/buffer mixing assembly includes a sample collection chamber, a buffer chamber containing a buffer, a mixing chamber, and one or more plungers. The sample collection chamber is in fluid communication with a sample collection interface device. The mixing chamber includes a sample port adjacent the sample collection chamber, and a buffer port adjacent the buffer chamber. The plungers are in fluid communication with the sample collection chamber and the buffer chamber, and can be moved to dispense the buffer from the buffer chamber into the mixing chamber via the sample port, and the sample from the sample collection chamber into the mixing chamber via the buffer port. In this manner, the dispensed sample and buffer form a buffered sample solution within the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for flowing sample through a flow immunoassay assembly using one or more plungers. The flow immunoassay assembly includes an immunoassay reaction chamber, a sample distribution chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a sample dispense plunger being movable within the sample distribution chamber to dispense the sample from the sample distribution chamber into the immunoassay reaction chamber. The flow immunoassay assembly can further include a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the immunoassay reaction chamber, and a buffer dispense plunger movable within the buffer chamber to dispense buffer from the buffer chamber into the immunoassay reaction chambers.

Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are provided for using a chemistry cassette barcode to obtain information associated with the cassette. A barcode assembly for use with an analyte testing system includes a barcode affixed to the chemistry cassette, and the barcode assembly further includes a barcode reader mounted within a test console of an analyte testing system. The barcode includes information associated with the chemistry cassette, and the barcode reader is configured for scanning the barcode when the chemistry cassette is received within the test console. The barcode information can indicate a test panel contained within the chemistry cassette, e.g., the NIDA drugs-of-abuse test panel, a date of manufacture of the chemistry cassette, test calibration information, and/or information indicating whether the chemistry cassette has been previously used, e.g., a checksum code.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for scanning a flow immunoassay assembly. A flow immunoassay scanning assembly includes a plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, a plurality of read cells in fluid communication with the plurality of immunoassay reaction chambers, a detector having a sensing beam, and a scanning drive assembly configured to translate the detector to intersect the plurality of read cells with the sensing beam. The detector includes an optical detector, and each of the immunoassay reaction chambers contains fluorescent labeled antigen that is displaced when an analog to the fluorescent labeled antigen flows through the immunoassay reaction chamber. Thus, the fluorescent labeled antigen can be detected by the optical detector when flowed through the corresponding read cell. The detector can also be configured, such that the sensing beam intersects the plurality of read cells at an angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the read cells.

Abstract: Assemblies are provided for collecting a sample from a mouth using an integrated sample collection tip. A sample collection assembly includes a sample collection body configured for being placed within the mouth, wherein the sample collection body includes a bore and one or more pores. The sample collection assembly further includes a conduit that disposed within the bore of the sample collection body and that is in fluid communication with the one or more pores. The conduit is bonded within the bore. The sample collection assembly can further include a hand piece that has a tip on which the sample collection body is mounted, and through which the conduit can extend. For example, the rear surface of the sample collection body can be bonded to the front surface of the sample collection tip. The pores can include a plurality of micropores. The sample collection body can be hydrophobic, and a hydrophilic surfactant can be disposed on the outer surface of the sample collection body.

Abstract: A stable blood serum conjugated bilirubin reference composition characterized in that the composition possess a pH of from about 8.2 to bout 9.2 and comprises (a) a sulfhydryl compound in an amount sufficient to enhance the stability of the conjugated bilirubin and (b) a chelating agent in an amount sufficient to bind all the metals present in the blood serum moiety of the composition. This blood serum conjugated bilirubin composition when stored in a gas impervious vial under an inert atmosphere has an excellent shelf life.

Abstract: Aqueous acidic coating solutions are described for treating zinc or zinc alloy surfaces comprising trivalent chromium as substantially the only chromium ion present, fluoride ion, an acid other than nitric acid, and an oxidizing agent. The coating solutions containing trivalent chromium as substantially the only chromium ion present preferably are prepared by reducing an aqueous solution of hexavalent chromium with sufficient reducing agent to reduce all of the hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium. Chromate coatings on zinc and zinc alloy surfaces are produced by contacting said surfaces with an aqueous acidic solution of the invention.