Abstract: The label printer uses a continuous strip of label paper on which customized size labels are printed. The printer is operated by a microprocessor into which label criteria, such as size, print content, type, and the like are inputted. Specimen tubes having machine readable labels on them are scanned by a scanner connected to the microprocessor so as to identify the respective sizes of the specimen tubes, and type of label desired. The printer has a label paper strip perforator which is controlled by the microprocessor so as to produce properly sized labels for affixation to the specimen tubes. The printed labels can be used for different lab labeling requirements such as slides or other tubes for aliquots of the original specimen sample.

Abstract: Patients in hospitals are pvovided with identification bracelets which display the patient identity number in a machine-readable form, such as a bar code. Blood or other samples are taken from patients by a technician, nurse, or the like who carries a microprocessor-operated device for optically scanning the identification bracelet-coded patient identifications. When the patient ID is read, the device automatically prints out a label for securement to the specimen tube. The label includes the patient's name; ID number; tests to be performed on the specimen sample; and the time and date the sample was drawn. The device is preferably housed in the tray which carries the sample tubes and sampling needles. A connection can be made between a mainframe computer and the device's microprocessor so that the device can confirm to the mainframe computer that all of the samples were drawn, and so that the mainframe computer can preprogram the device to prepare for the next round of specimen samples.

Abstract: Patients in hospitals are provided with identification bracelets which display a patient identity number in a machine-readable form, such as a bar code. Blood or other samples are taken at bedside from patients by a technician, nurse, or the like who carries a microprocessor-operated device which optically scans the coded patient identification bracelet. When the patient ID bracelet is read, the device lists the different blood tubes that are to be filled on a display screen. The device has a fixedly mounted onboard scanner which scans a preprinted bar code on the specimen tube which bar code identifies the type of tube being used. Just before, or after, the specimen is drawn, the tube is read by the onboard scanner, and a label is printed and placed on the tube, which label includes the patient's name; the patient's I.D. number; the tests to be performed on the specimen sample; the time and date the specimen was drawn; and the size and type of tube.

Abstract: Patients in hospitals are provided with identification bracelets which display the patient identity number in a machine-readable form, such as a bar code. Blood or other samples are taken from patients by a technician, nurse, or the like who carries a microprocessor-operated device for optically scanning the identification bracelet-coded patient identifications. When the patient ID is read, the device automatically prints out a label for securement to the specimen tube. The label includes the patient's name; ID number; tests to be performed on the specimen sample; and the time and date the sample was drawn. The device is preferably housed in the tray which carries the sample tubes and sampling needles. A connection can be made between a mainframe computer and the device's microprocessor so that the device can confirm to the mainframe computer that all of the samples were drawn, and so that the mainframe computer can preprogram the device to prepare for the next round of specimen samples.

Abstract: Blood samples are drawn from patients in capillary tubes from skin sticks. When drawn, the capillary tubes for individual patients are placed in a single larger specimen carrier tube which can then be labeled with a specialized specimen label printed at bedside, or elsewhere, when the samples are drawn. The larger carrier tube has a closure cap which includes an internal layer of putty which is used to seal an end of the capillary tubes for each individual patient, thereby eliminating the possibility of cross contamination of one patient's blood sample with another's when the capillary tubes are plugged. The specimen tube also has an internal separator which will prevent the capillary tubes from touching each other to limit breakage of the capillary tubes during handling.

Abstract: A proportioning pump for automatic fluid analysis apparatus comprising a base having an open chamber formed in its top, a drive shaft supported in the open chamber, and a platen member that closes the top of the open chamber. A pair of roller cage assemblies each have primary bores in their end plates allowing them to be mounted on the drive shaft. The end plates are pinned to the drive shaft so that they rotate as one. Spaced outwardly a predetermined radius from the longitudinal axis of the primary bores are a plurality of secondary bores whose longitudinal axes describe circles in the laterally spaced end plates. Roller rods are journaled in the secondary bores. The outer perimeter of each of the roller rods describes an arc of a predetermined radius from the axis of the primary bore when the roller cage assembly is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A flow cell for location intermediate a light source and a photosensitive device for light measurement of a fluid therein in a light path. The flow cell has an elongated tubular body member, a debubbler unit, and a tubular fluid outlet tower. The body member has an open-ended bore therethrough constituting a sight passageway. A pair of light transmitting quartz rods are positioned in the respective open ends of the bore to close them. One end of the debubbler unit functions as a fluid inlet conduit and a tubular neck portion extends from the bottom of the debubbler unit and is transversely connected to the open-ended bore of the body member intermediate its ends. A tubular fluid outlet tower has its bottom end transversely connected to the open-ended bore of the body member intermediate its ends.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic continuous-flow fluid analyzer of the pe wherein a stream of fluid, segmented by air bubbles or other separating medium inert to the fluid to be analyzed, passes through a colorimeter flow cell. The bubble artifact is eliminated from the photoconductor signal while allowing the signal produced from the fluid segment to remain intact. This is accomplished by means of a signal comparator which operates as a digitally controlled differentiator, but could alternatively be a purely analog differentiator. The signal comparator through continual signal comparisons momentarily samples and stores a photoconductor output.For a finite period of time, the stored value is compared with all subsequent succeeding photoconductor output signals. If any signal that follows varies outside a preset range from the stored value, the comparator logic concludes that an air bubble is passing and the output to the recorder is not changed.