Abstract: A blotter assembly for use in electrophoresis comprising a block and a closed cell silicone blotter pad adhesively attached thereto and restricted against accidental movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A wash solution for removal of unbound proteins, unreacted antisera, and excess stain from an electrophoresis gel plate and a method of using the wash solution. The wash solution contains one or more of Hexamethylindanopyran, Tetramethyl acetyloctahydronaphthalenes, Hexyl cinnamal, Butylphenyl methylpropional, d-Limonene and Linalool. Alternatively, the wash solution react with lipids and fats in the unbound proteins and/or unreacted antisera, and/or causes pores in the gel to expand yielding a more efficient removal of unbound protein and unbound antisera, and/or contains protease enzymes that digest proteins and an amylase enzyme to hydrolyze starches and sugars.

Abstract: An applicator having a body and a series of teeth extending in a first direction from said body, the teeth spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, each tooth having a base, a tip, and opposed sides, in which at least one tooth includes a series of serrations spaced apart from each other, each serration having a tip, and a base, and opposed sides and preferably being of generally trapezoidal shape. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the applicator.

Abstract: An immunofixation electrophoresis method including separation of proteins (antigens) by electrophoresis, subjecting the separated proteins to various antisera to cause an antibody-antigen reaction and visualizing the results of the antibody-antigen reaction by staining, including a series of blotting and rehydrating steps with an elevated temperature rehydrating solution to remove unbound proteins (antigens), unreacted antisera, and excess stain.

Abstract: Novel apparatuses and methods for depositing or placing substances on substrates or plates are described. The invention relates to automated and semiautomated apparatuses and methods for controlled volume and precise placement of substances on substrates. Combinations of applicator tips, applicator tip assemblies, applicator reservoirs, applicator holders and movable racks precisely and accurately place samples and testing chemicals on substrates. Applicator tips particularly useful for dunk transfer and deposit processes and for carrying substances are disclosed. Apparatuses for precisely moving applicator holders, applicator reservoirs and tips are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses also have features for pre-loading substances on applicators and applicator reservoirs and precisely delivering the preloaded substances to substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrophoresing a sample and for thereafter either scanning in the visible mode or the fluorescent mode, under control of a central processor, to provide scanning densitometry of the electrophoresed sample, and with the fluorescent mode scanning being performed in situ. The apparatus includes a gantry which moves from left to right in the XY plane. The gantry draws, delivers and deposits the samples and reagents, and includes safety devices to prevent the gantry from movement and damage when there are obstructions in the path of the gantry. A fluorescent scanning unit is moved by X- and Y-direction motors to position a photomultiplier over an electrophoresed sample. In this way, the electrophoretic sample can remain fixed in place during sample delivery, ultraviolet exposure and measurement operations.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.

Abstract: A pump for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, is connected to a body member which includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube with the pump for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents. A second or supplemental vent is provided in the pump.

Abstract: An improvement in the immunofixation electrophoresis procedure for detecting proteins in serum, urine or cerebral spinal fluids. Samples are placed on a gel and subjected to electrophoresis for resolving or separating proteins. Thereafter, antisera are applied to the sample areas to cause an antibody-antigen precipitation reaction if the specific proteins are present. The invention includes the provision of a control system for each electrophoretic gel to verify that the antisera have retained their lability, i.e., the ability to react.

Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for attaching one or more pump mechanisms to a like number of sealed test tubes, each test tube sealed by a resilient, puncturable closure. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support attached to the frame for releasably supporting one or more pump mechanisms, a test tube holder for releasably holding one or more test tubes, the holder movably engaging and being displaceable on the base of the frame into position in alignment with the support, and a manually operated insertion mechanism, attached to the frame, for displacing the support towards the holder (with test tubes therein), to puncture the closure of a test tube with a pump mechanism. Using the apparatus includes placing one or more test tubes having closures into the holder, displacing the holder into position, placing one or more pump mechanisms in the support, and manually activating the insertion mechanism to puncture the one or more closures with the one or more pump mechanisms.

Abstract: An improvement in the immunofixation electrophoresis procedure for detecting proteins in serum, urine or cerebral spinal fluids. Samples are placed on a gel and subjected to electrophoresis for resolving or separating proteins. Thereafter, antisera are applied to the sample areas to cause an antibody-antigen precipitation reaction if the specific proteins are present. The invention includes the provision of a control system for each electrophoretic gel to verify that the antisera have retained their lability, i.e., the ability to react.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging the contents of a sealed container, such as a test tube, includes an inlet path and a discharge path with a delivery tube in the discharge path. A predetermined clearance is provided between the exterior of the delivery tube and the interior of the discharge path, the clearance providing venting, or blow-by, such that temperature changes do not cause accidental discharge of the contents of the container, while still maintaining sufficient resistance to venting for permitting pressurizing the interior of the test tube for accurately controlling the discharge of the test tube contents.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing pump mechanisms to test tubes sealed by a closure such that the contents of the test tubes may be discharged without removing the closure. The apparatus includes a rack for holding a plurality of pump mechanisms, each of the pump mechanisms including a downwardly extending needle or the like for penetrating the closure of the test tube. The test tubes are arranged within a tray in a plurality of rows, and each row is sequentially advanced into position. As each row is in position, the pump mechanism is moved toward the row of test tubes to penetrate the test tube closures. The pump mechanisms thereafter released, the rack filled with a next series of pump mechanisms, the test tube array indexed, and the cycle of steps is repeated. The pump mechanism needles are initially imbedded in a protective packaging. The apparatus strips away the protective packaging to expose the sharpened points or tips of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid is adapted to be attached to a container such as a test tube. The apparatus includes a hollow, resilient, flexible dispenser having a bore therethrough. One end of the dispenser is attached to the test tube, and the opposite end of the dispenser includes a nozzle apparatus having external and internal nozzle portions and a reverse-taper bore therethrough, i.e., a bore having a diameter which decreases from the external nozzle portion to the internal nozzle portion, the reverse-taper bore being in communication with the interior of the hollow, resilient dispenser.

Abstract: A diagnostic densitometer for scanning a blood sample to automatically determine serum protein fractions and to provide an analog trace indicative of the serum protein fractions. The analog trace is edited by the operator of the densitometer and additional data is provided by the operator of the densitometer. Thereafter, the densitometer evaluates the edited analog trace and the additional data and compares them to an internal data base to interpret the same and provides a preliminary medical diagnosis.

Abstract: A microscope slide has a plurality of specimen chambers formed by a plurality of upstanding transverse separators and a cover portion. The cover portion is separated from the base portion by an amount sufficient to result in capillary action drawing a fluid such as urine into the chamber when it is applied to the base portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining the amount of a hemoglobin species in a blood sample in relation to the total amount of hemoglobin in a blood sample by simultaneously determining the relative concentrations of the two samples with a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer has two channels each of which is associated with one sample. Each channel determines the intensity of light from a light source which is transmitted through its sample and received by a photodetector. Thereafter, the apparatus calculates the relative concentration of the two samples (A.sub.1 /A.sub.2) or optionally the normalized concentration of the samples (A.sub.1 /A.sub.1 +A.sub.2). The apparatus includes automatic self-calibration to compensate for any degradation of the optical system.