Abstract: Arrays of electro-mechanical dispensers are used to form extremely small drops of fluid and locate them precisely on substrate surfaces in miniature arrays. The printed arrays may consist of DNA, immunoassay reagents or the like. A positioning support such as an X-Y table moves the dispensing devices and substrate surfaces relative to each other to locate the drops on the substrates in predetermined patterns. Arrays of probes as dense as one thousand per square centimeter with center-to-center spacing as small as twenty-five micrometers are formed.

Abstract: Inorganic powder, preferably fumed silica, is rendered hydrophobic by treatment with a silylating agent in the presence of a third reagent selected from the group consisting of protonic acids, especially those having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure up to 120.degree. C., preferably formic acid, and linear phosphonitrilic halides, preferably linear phosphonitrilic chlorides.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing coated particles, and in particular, particles in which the coating is uniform, contiguous and of minimal thickness is described, together with an apparatus for conducting the coating process in which a plurality of coating cells connected in series are provided wherein the particles are pneumatically conveys during the coating application and in which controlled recirculation of particles occurs within each cell and a controlled spray is applied to the particles in order to produce a substantially uniform distribution of coating.

Abstract: The invention involves using a plasma to functionalize a surface of medical devices such as catheters, particularly intracardial catheters, with covalently bound thermochemically reactive groups. The surface is further contacted with a bioactive agent, particularly antithrombogenic coatings, which is thermochemically covalently coupled to the reactive group to form a therapeutically effective coating. The selected bioactive agent is then covalently bound to the surface by thermochemical reaction with the surface reactive groups. In another embodiment, the functionalizing step comprises contacting the surface with a Langmuir-Blodgett film comprising an amphipathic compound and a bioactive agent and using a plasma to covalently crosslink the Langmuir-Blodgett film to the medical device surface and to the bioactive agent. Medical devices prepared by the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: New and useful methods of producing stabilized enzyme antibody conjugates are disclosed which are particularly useful in forming multi-layer immunoassay test devices. In particular, the invention concerns the formation of a manganese ion and enzyme-antibody conjugate in aqueous solution and drying the solution to produce a dry stabilized enzyme-antibody conjugate. Further, this stabilized enzyme-antibody conjugate can be formed on a continuous web and dried in a heat tunnel. This continuous manufacturing process allows for the more efficient production of multi-layer test strips.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical device for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest comprising a substrate which supports an optically active layer, an attachment layer provided on the optically active layer, and a receptive layer specific the analyte provided on the attachment layer. The method comprises forming the optically active layer with a chosen refractive index on the substrate by curing the optically active layer on the substrate at a controlled temperature or for a controlled length of time and subsequently providing the attachment and receptive layers on the optically active layer.

Abstract: Luster pigments based on multiply coated plateletlike metallic substrates comprisingA) a first layer consisting essentially of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and/or aluminum oxide hydrate,B) a second layer consisting essentially of metal and/or nonselectively absorbing metal oxide, andC) if desired, a third layer consisting essentially of colorless or selectively absorbing metal oxide.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preparing an isomerization catalyst by contacting an alkali metal with catalyst support particles in a fluidized bed. After the alkali metal is uniformly dispersed on the support particles, oxygen is added to the fluidizing gas to oxidize a portion of the alkali metal.

Abstract: A method for surface treatment in which a fluidizable powder mixture consisting of a powder of a refractory material, and a surface layer-forming powder of a metal, or alloy or both is fluidized by a fluidizing gas supplied through a gas distributor to form above the gas distributor a fluidized bed in which a surface layer is formed on the material to be treated under heating in the presence of a halide. A layer of coarse particles is disposed between the fluidized bed and the gas distributor, and the coarse particles have a mean diameter, D(m), as defined below:(1650V.mu./PG).sup.1/2 <D<6.5dwhereV: velocity of the fluidizing gas (m/s);.mu.: viscosity coefficient of the fluidizing gas (kg/m.multidot.s);P: mean density of the coarse particles (kg/m.sup.3);G: acceleration of gravity (9.8 m/s.sup.2);d: mean particle diameter of the surface layer-forming powder (m).

Abstract: Solid particles are coated in a fluidized bed by application of a gaseous coating agent from a plasma, wherein the plasma is generated outside the fluidized bed under 0.01-500 mbar, and the plasma-activated gas is passed into the fluidized bed, which is operated under 0.1-500 mbar, wherea. the plasma is generated from the total amount of gaseous coating agent with or without another gas, orb. the plasma is generated from a portion of the gaseous coating agent with or without another gas, and the remaining portion is introduced directly into the fluidized bed, orc. the plasma is generated from another gas, and the total amount of gaseous coating agent is introduced directly into the fluidized bed.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions having a modified release profile for once daily dosing of metronidazole, methods for making the pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for treating a microbial infection with once daily dosing of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are provided. The compositions given once daily exhibit substantial bioequivalence to immediate release metronidazole given three times per day. The compositions of the invention comprise:(a) a first portion of metronidazole which is about 59 wt % to about 79 wt % metronidazole;(b) about 1.5 wt % to about 3.0 wt % of an aqueous insoluble poly(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer which is aqueous permeable, aqueous expandable and pH-independent;(c) about 0.1 wt % to about 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an encapsulated enzyme breaker and method of use in treating a subterranean formation. An encapsulated breaker is prepared by coating an enzyme on a cellulose substrate. A micron-sized particulate is admixed with the enzyme solution to prevent undesired agglomeration of the substrate. The enzyme solution coated substrate is covered with a membrane comprising a partially hydrolyzed acrylic crosslinked with either an aziridine prepolymer or a carbodiimide. The membrane contains imperfections through which an aqueous fluid may pass into the breaker to contact the enzyme and diffuse the enzyme outward from the breaker particle.

Abstract: Processes for coating substrates, in particular substrates including shielded surfaces, with transition metal oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a transition metal oxide precursor, preferably maintaining the precursor coated substrate at conditions to equilibrate the coating, and then oxidizing the precursor to form a substrate containing transition metal oxide. Also disclosed are substrates coated with transition metal oxide-containing coatings for use in various applications.

Abstract: An analytical test device useful for example in pregnancy testing, includes a hollow casing (500) constructed of moisture-impervious solid material, such as plastics materials, containing a dry porous carrier (510) which communicates indirectly with the exterior of the casing via a bibulous sample receiving member (506) which protrudes from the casing such that a liquid test sample can be applied to the receiving member and permeate therefrom to the porous carrier, the carrier containing in a first zone a labelled specific binding reagent is freely mobile within the porous carrier when in the moist state, wherein the mobility is facilitated by a material comprising sugar, in a amount effective to reduce interaction between the test strip and the labelled reagent, and in a second zone spatially distinct from the first zone unlabeled specific binding reagent for the same analyte which unlabelled reagent is permanently immobilized on the carrier material and is therefore not mobile in the moist state, the two zo

Abstract: Stable suspensions of coated magnetic particles, preferably resuspendable bioactive particles particularly useful in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, are produced by disrupting, what are presumed to be, crystalline agglomerates of a parent particulate magnetic starting material in the presence of a coating material, such that coating can take place during the disruption. The particles are generally coated in suspension yielding a stable suspension of subdivided particles. With the proper selection of a coating material, preferably a protein or other biochemically or biologically active polymer such as an antibody, a resuspendable (colloidal) bioactive product is obtained.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of preparing an isomerization catalyst by contacting an alkali metal with catalyst support particles in a fluidized bed. After the alkali metal is uniformly dispersed on the support particles, oxygen is added to the fluidizing gas to oxidize a portion of the alkali metal.

Abstract: A polyvinyl ether and paraffin wax blend is described which is useful as a coating for encapsulates which are stable in an alkaline environment and which exhibit a volume % compressibility of 20.degree. or less at 30.degree. C. The polyvinyl ether material has a formula [C.sub.x H.sub.2x O].sub.y.

Abstract: This is a granulating-coating apparatus comprising: a spraying means for spraying a binder liquid or a coating liquid onto articles to be processed, which are received in a rotary drum; a brush provided in a manner to be movable relatively to the spraying means in the rotary drum, for contacting a spray gun formed in the spraying means and removing adhered articles on the spray gun; and an adhered article sucking device provided in the vicinity of the brush, for receiving the removed adhered articles. With this arrangement, the adhered articles on spraying openings of the spraying means can be removed completely without contamination of the articles to be processed with the removed adhered articles.

Abstract: Moldable ferromagnetic particles and method of making a magnetizable molding therefrom. The ferromagnetic particles are spray-coated with a slurry comprising insoluble thermoplastic particles suspended in a solution of a soluble polymer to produce a coating on the ferromagnetic particles which comprises a majority of the insoluble thermoplastic particles embedded in a lesser amount of a binder polymer. When compression molded, the insoluble thermoplastic particles form a continuous matrix for the ferromagnetic particles.

Abstract: Preparation of an encapsulated slow-release particulate fertilizer. A particulate fertilizer starting material is pretreated for increasing its capacity of holding powderous material by adhesion. The resulting first intermediary product is coated with a powderous waterproofing material which fuses below the phase transition temperature of the fertilizer. A second intermediary product obtained in this way is heated to a temperature below the phase transition temperature to fuse the waterproofing material.

Abstract: The invention provides phospholipid coated particles capable of specifically binding antiphospholipid antibodies and a method for preparing such particles. Methods are also provided for determining antiphospholipid antibodies in a serum or plasma. Also provided are methods for isolating antiphospholipid antibodies from a fluid and for raising specific antiphospholipid antibodies.

Abstract: An improved device and method of separating the cellular components of whole blood from plasma or serum and assaying the plasma or serum for a predetermined soluble constituent are disclosed. The device includes a filter pad, that separates the cellular components of whole blood from the serum or plasma, and a test pad, that assays the serum or plasma for a predetermined soluble constituent. The filter pad effectively separates and retains cellular components of the whole blood sample, thereby eliminating assay interference by the cellular components of whole blood.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing percarbonate by coating by means of a coating agent according to which the percarbonate particles are treated with a concentrated aqueous solution containing at least one boron compound selected from meta and ortho boric acids and at least one silicate, following by removal of water to provide coated percarbonate particles. The solution is prepared by adding the boron compound to a solution of the silicate. The coated particles are useful in washing and bleaching compositions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating red blood cells by density are described. Older red blood cells are more dense than younger ones. Certain changes in the physiology are recorded in changes in hemoglobin or the red blood cells. By assaying different aged red blood cells, one can determine the historical physiological changes over a period of many weeks. Improved separation of red blood cells is accomplished by using rigid capillary tubes having an inner surface which augments the density equilibrium of red blood cells and/or incrementally increasing the centrifugation forces, as well as by chemically treating red blood cells to improve their deformability.

Abstract: A method for making a test strip is described. The test strip is generally a substrate, a layer disposed on the substrate and located near the distal end of the substrate. The layer typically contains a chemical reagent detection system capable of detecting the presence of a predetermined analyte in a sample of biological fluid, wherein the reagent detection system produces a detectable change in the layer in the presence of the analyte.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and devices for synthesizing combinatorial libraries of various useful compounds, such as benzodiazepines, prostaglandins, .beta.-turn mimetics and glycerol-derived drugs is described. In order to expediently synthesize such combinatorial libraries of derivatives based upon these core structures, a general methodology for the solid phase synthesis of these derivatives is also provided. This disclosure thus also describes an important extension of solid phase synthesis methods to nonpolymeric organic compounds.

Abstract: An iron powder composition comprising an iron powder coated with a substantially uniform coating of a thermoplastic material and admixed with a boron nitride powder and a method of utilizing the mixture to produce a magnetic core component is provided. The iron powder mixture is formulated with up to about 1% by weight of boron nitride which reduces the stripping and sliding die ejection pressures during high temperature molding and also improves the permeability of the magnetic part over an extended frequency range.

Abstract: A granular polymer composite comprising polymeric granules having coated on a surface thereof a calcium phosphate compound, at least a part of the particles of the calcium phosphate compound penetrates into the polymeric granules. The composite has a high bonding strength between the polymeric granules as a matrix and a coating of the calcium phosphate compound and also can fully exhibit the functions of a calcium phosphate compound. Using the granular polymer composite, a diagnostic agent which comprises of an antigen or antibody is adsorbed and immobilized on the composite and is therefore useful in diagnostic tests utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction for a number of infectious diseases.

Abstract: A process for preparing water-based pyrotechnic active compositions containing metal powder is described, which comprises coating the metal powder with a plastic which is insoluble in dilute acids and water and is substantially impermeable to water and oxygen, the coating being present in a quantity of not more than 5 per cent by weight, relative to the total mass of the metal powder, and suspending the powder obtained in water, mixing it with the other constituents of the active composition and bringing it to the desired shape, the coating of the metal powder preferably being carried out by the fluidized-bed process.

Abstract: A process for producing fibrous composite materials from feed stock formed reliminarily from a gypsum binder and chopped cellulose fibers, and saturating the mixture with water to the extent of at least 1.2 times its normal hydrated state, and beating the material to provide a fleece that is then spread on a flat surface and subjected to pressure for a sufficient length of time to drive out a substantial portion of the moisture from the product. The compression step is carried out long enough to achieve a bulk density of approximately 9/10 the dry bulk density of the components prior to hydration.

Abstract: A continuous method for the surface treatment of solid particles comprises feeding a powder mixture which consists of solid particles of a given substance and solid particles of another substance into one of a plurality of impact chambers in communication with one another and equipped with a rotating disc having impact pins and also with an impingement ring, subjecting the mixture to an impact striking action, separating an air stream produced by that action from the powder mixture and discharging it continuously from the impact chamber, repeating the impact action while allowing the powder mixture to reside temporarily in the impact chamber, and then causing the mixture to move, in succession, to the next chamber and so forth.

Abstract: Pure unalloyed pyrocarbons having wear resistance suitable for use in pyrocarbon-coated heart valve components and having mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and toughness, superior to commercial silicon-alloyed pyrocarbons are deposited in fluidized bed coaters. Coating conditions are carefully controlled so as to maintain a precise bed size within a defined coating enclosure which will assure a substantially constant surface deposition temperature that in turn assures deposition of homogenous unalloyed pyrocarbons having these improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: Silicon oxide-coated solid particles are produced by decomposing silanes which contain at least one alkanoyloxy radical with water vapor and/or oxygen in the presence of the agitated solid particles.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor arrangement and method for forming a metal carbide coating on a substrate containing graphite in which a bed of particles inclusive of the substrate is fluidized using a fluidizing gas containing a metal halide vapor formed by reacting a metal halide gas with a carbide forming metal selected from Group IVb through VIIb of the periodic table and maintaining the temperature of the fluidized bed above 1500.degree. C.

Abstract: Processes for coating substrates, in particular substrates including shielded surfaces, with tin oxide-containing coatings are disclosed. Such processes comprise contacting a substrate with a tin oxide precursor; preferably maintaining the precursor coated substrate at conditions to distribute and equilibrate the coating; oxidizing the precursor containing material to form a substrate containing tin oxide and contacting the substrate with at least one catalyst material at conditions effective to form a catalyst material containing coating on at least a portion of the substrate. Also disclosed are substrates coated with tin oxide-containing coatings for use in various catalyst applications.

Abstract: A colorimetric test strip useful for analysis of free chlorine is provided. In a preferred embodiment, 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine is the colorimetric indicator. Beneficially, the carrier for the indicator has been treated to have a pH that eliminates chloramine interference. Advantageously, the indicator in free base form and a suitable water-soluble buffer may be deposited on the carrier using a combined solution of indicator and buffer.

Abstract: The method of making a macroemulsion composition for controlling odors and including droplets of water-immiscible, odor counteracting material dispersed as the discontinuous phase of the macroemulsion in a water soluble binder, which constitutes the continuous phase of the macroemulsion. Upon deposition of the composition onto an appropriate substrate, such as pet litter, and after evaporation of the water within the binder solution, the water soluble binder solidifies on the substrate. In so doing, the solidified water soluble binder substantially encloses the droplets of the odor counteracting material. The water soluble binder easily dissolves upon contact with water in pet excreta, thereby releasing the odor counteracting material in an amount appropriate to counteract the offensive odors at the offensive area where such counteraction is needed most.

Abstract: A particle of an inorganic or metallic material which is coated on the surface with ultrafines of an inorganic or metallic material. The coated particle is produced by introducing the particles of the inorganic or metallic material to be coated into a stream carrying the ultrafines of the inorganic or metallic material formed in a vapor phase and bringing the particles to be coated into contact with said ultrafines in a fluidized state. The coated particles are used for the production of a sintered product.

Abstract: A free-flowing powder of coated particles is produced by means of a spray dying plant using a hot drying gas or a spray cooling plant using cold drying gas. A coating composition in liquid form is supplied to the atomizing means of the plant, and the liquid coating composition is atomized into a flow of liquid droplets, which are allowed to collide with particles of a carrier material dispersed in a transport gas. The direction and rate of flow of the transport gas are adapted to prevent contact between the drying gas and the droplets, so that the liquid coating composition, before any substantial drying thereof, will form a continuous liquid coating layer on the particles. The thus applied continuous coating layer on the particles is then allowed to at least partially dry by contact with the drying gas before withdrawal of the coated particles from the spray-drying chamber of the plant to a moving bed in the form of loose agglomerates.

Abstract: With the method of processing liquids, fine to very fine organic and/or inorganic granular particles are used, whereby pursuant to the invention the particles are mixed and compressed together in a first step to form an agglomerate that is heated at least to a temperature that is near the melting point thereof. The particles are thereby fixed in place by being subjected to a process similar to sintering for a suitable length of time, whereupon the resulting agglomerate is screened, or reduced in size in a grinder, to a granular size that is suitable for an intended use. This enables stabilizing and filtering aids to be produced with predetermined or predictable physical or chemical properties that are suitable for specific processes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for immobilizing anti-ligands, such as antibodies or antigens, hormones or hormone receptors, oligonucleotides, and polysaccharides on surfaces of solid substrates for various uses. The methods provide surfaces covered with caged binding members which comprise protecting groups capable of being removed upon application of a suitable energy source. Spatially addressed irradiation of predefined regions on the surface permits immobilization of anti-ligands at the activated regions on the surface. Cycles of irradiation on different regions of the surface and immobilization of different anti-ligands allows formation of an immobilized matrix of anti-ligands at defined sites on the surface. The immobilized matrix of anti-ligands permits simultaneous screenings of a liquid sample for ligands having high affinities for certain anti-ligands of the matrix. A preferred embodiment of the invention involves attaching photoactivatable biotin derivatives to a surface.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for making arrays of functionalized binding sites on a support surface. The invention further provides apparatus and methods for sequencing oligonucleotides and for identifying the amino acid sequence of peptides that bind to biologically active macromolecules, by specifically binding biologically active macromolecules to arrays of peptides or peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Passivated metallic pigments obtainable by gas-phase decomposition of volatile phosphorus compounds and of volatile nitrogenous silicon compounds with steam and/or oxygen in the presence of the agitated pigment particles, and the production of these pigments and their use for coloring water-based printing inks, other inks and paints.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of preparing an activated acridinium microparticle. Generally, the methods involve direct covalent coupling or an affinity format. The direct covalent coupling method involves coating a microparticle with a proteinaceous compound. Then, a 10-methyl-N-tosyl-N-(2-carboxyethyl)-9-acridinium carboximide trifluoromethane sulfonate is coupled to the proteinaceous compound. In the affinity format, a microparticle is coated with a biotinylated proteinaceous compound. The microparticle is reacted with an anti-biotin labelled 10-methyl-N-tosyl-N-(2-carboxyethyl)-9-acridinium carboximide trifluoromethane sulfonate. Methods are also provided for using such a microparticle. Those methods of use can estimate transfer efficiency, calibrate optics, and measure membrane pore size of a chemiluminescence based instrument. Test elements for analytical instruments are also provided.

Abstract: An efficient method for the microfabrication of electronic devices which have been adapted for the analyses of biologically significant analyte species is described. The techniques of the present invention allow for close control over the dimensional features of the various components and layers established on a suitable substrate. Such control extends to those parts of the devices which incorporate the biological components which enable these devices to function as biological sensors. The materials and methods disclosed herein thus provide an effective means for the mass production of uniform wholly microfabricated biosensors. Various embodiments of the devices themselves are described herein which are especially suited for real time analyses of biological samples in a clinical setting. In particular, the present invention describes assays which can be performed using certain ligand/ligand receptor-based biosensor embodiments.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to colloidal particle having a core material and a gelatin/aminodextran coating with pendent functional groups attached thereto. Biological substances or molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies, may be attached to said particles. The monoclonal antibody containing particles are useful in a variety of positive and negative biological assays.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a container, optionally covered by a puncturable septum and evacuated. A clotting enhancer in the container activates both the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. The invention includes a method to make the clotting enhancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides in vitro models of the in vivo rolling and arrest of leukocytes along the endothelial cell wall, which are important steps in the migration of leukocytes out of the blood stream and into tissue, as part of the inflammatory response. The in vitro models of the invention are functional under physiologic flow conditions resulting in physiologic shear stresses. In a specific embodiment, for modelling leukocyte rolling, the apparatus of the invention comprises a solid phase surface with rolling mediator molecules present thereon. Such rolling mediators are, for example, selectins and selectin ligands which have binding partners expressed on leukocytes. In another specific embodiment, for modelling leukocyte rolling followed by adhesion/arrest, the apparatus of the invention comprises a solid phase surface with both rolling mediators and integrin binding partners present thereon.

Abstract: A process for continuously rendering finely divided, pyrogenic silica hydrophobic at low temperatures in the presence of a hydrophobicizing aid such as aliphatic alcohols having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The process of rendering silica hydrophobic is conducted at temperatures of from 60.degree. to 350.degree. C., and more preferably from 80.degree. to 150.degree. C., over a period of from 2 to 5 hours, and more preferably from 3 to 4 hours. The hydrophobicizing agents are known organohalosilanes and the preferred hydrophobicizing aid is methanol. The hydrophobicizing aid is used in amounts of from 2% to 15% by weight, and more preferably in amounts of from 2% to 10% by weight, based on the weight of silica used.

Abstract: An analytical device determines the analytes in a liquid sample. This device includes a layer of flat material which has a sample application area and a detection area thereupon. The detection area includes a reagent for determining the analyte, and the absorbent sample application area and the absorbent detection area are disposed within a liquid impermeable boundary. The layer of flat material also includes an absorbent connector which is disposed such that the sample application area and the detection area are connected by the absorbent connector. The liquid impermeable boundary and the absorbent connector prevents liquid from being transported between the sample application area and the detection area, except through the absorbent connector.