Abstract: Surfaced-enhanced, analytical procedures wherein a surfaced article includes a substrate surface, metal islands, a spacing/coupling agent layer, and binding partner molecules which bond with work piece molecules to be detected. A population of spaced apart metal islands are formed on the substrate and have at least some interconnections formed between them. A continuous layer coats the islands and all surfaces between the islands. The continuous layer includes a coupling agent which immobilizes first binding partner molecules. The first partner molecules bond to the coupling agent and the second binding partner molecules bind to the first binding partner molecules to allow detection of presence or concentration of the work piece binding partner molecules.

Abstract: A septum piercer and sample extractor for removing a sample from a specimen contained in a container closed by a penetrable septum, a needle having a body with a sharp closed point on its first end. The needle extends axially and contains a first channel and a second channel, which extend toward the second end of the needle. A first side port passes through the body into the first channel. A second port passes through the body into the second channel. The first side port is axially farther from the second end than the second side port. The channels are both open near the second end of the needle. The needle is movable axially to pierce the septum. Its first end can be moved through the septum and into the container so that one of the ports is submerged in a fluid sample in the container while the other of the ports remains out of the sample.

Abstract: A substrate for surface-enhanced analytical procedures, such substrates prepared for use in specific procedures to detect specific binding partner molecules, and a method for making them. The substrate is a body having a substrate surface on which there are randomly spaced apart metal islands. A continuous layer of coupling agent coats the islands and any intervening substrate surface. First binding partner molecules are bonded to the coupling agent. These are specifically attractive to specified second partner molecules for an analytical procedure for detecting the presence of, and perhaps the concentration of second partner molecules, or in some procedures, of a specified third binding partner molecule which becomes bonded to the second binding partner molecule. The thickness of the coupling agent layer is selected to improve the sensitivity of a given analytical procedure for detecting or measuring the specific binding partner molecule.