Abstract: A modular vial autosampler has a storage area for vials containing samples to be analyzed and at least one modular sampling station. A vial transfer mechanism lifts a sample vial from the storage section, moves it to a station for identification and then to a sampling station, and under central control activates the sampling station for obtaining a sample for analysis. The vial transfer mechanism is movable in x, y, and z directions to capture and move a selected vial. The autosampler has a series of valves operable under central control to selectively introduce two different standards into the sample, and after obtaining the sample, for rinsing and purging the conduits or lines and needles to reduce sample carryover. The modular vial autosampler includes controls to selectively sample either a gas or a liquid using many of the same components.

Abstract: A device for the investigation of liquids, in particular of waste water, includes at least one reaction chamber for receiving the liquid to be investigated as well as liquids for analysis from storage containers. The reaction chamber is disposed in a housing while the storage containers are accommodated within the housing or are set up outside. The housing may be positioned in a freely floating manner within the liquid to be investigated or may be set up outside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hematology control product for automated hematology instruments containing an aqueous solution of at least one blood cell analog, an absorbance agent in an amount sufficient to simulate a hemoglobin concentration, and a stabilizing agent in an amount sufficient to stabilize the size of the blood cell analog when the control product is subjected to temperature ranging from -15.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. The control product does not require controlled temperature storage for product stability. In addition, a novel method of using a hematology control product is provided wherein the control product contains a single blood cell analog and is used to simulate both red blood cells and white blood cells on an automated hematology instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting NO.sub.x by chemiluminescence. The apparatus includes a sample gas line having an inlet port for receiving a sample gas, a NO.sub.x converter connected to the sample gas line, a N.sub.2 diluting gas line connected to the sample gas line upstream from the NO.sub.x converter, a bypass exhaust lie connected to the sample gas line, and a chemiluminescence analyzer connected to the NO.sub.x converter. The sample gas, which contains a NO.sub.x component, is introduced to the sample gas line through an inlet portion. The sample gas is diluted with nitrogen gas from the nitrogen diluting gas line, and the NO.sub.x component in the sample gas is converted to NO by the NO.sub.x converter. The chemiluminescence analyzer detects the NO.sub.x component.

Abstract: A method and a device for dispensing microdoses of aqueous solutions are provided, whereby the substance is transferred by the free surface end of a rodlike transferring element; the temperature of the transferring element is maintained at essentially the dew point of the ambient air during the transfer. The device may comprise a plate-like base to which are affixed a plurality of rods; the unfixed butt ends of the rods are coplanar. The device further comprises a means for maintaining the temperature of the unfixed butt ends of the rods essentially equal to the dew point of the ambient air during transfer of the aqueous substance.

Abstract: Device for collection of liquid samples has a pump (16) for pumping sampling liquid (24), a tube (7) for delivering the sampling liquid, sample container (23) for collection of the sampling liquid, and a transport device for moving the tube in succession from one sample container to the next sample container in at least one row of sample containers. An elastic cloth (22) is sealingly applied over the openings of the sample containers, and a slit (21), in which the tube (7) runs, is arranged in the cloth. The transport device is arranged to stop the tube when it is in a position over the sample container.

Abstract: The apparatus gathers and prepares liquid samples for analysis for elements or compounds within the liquid samples such as water samples for tritium analysis. This disclosure is further directed toward apparatus and methods for the gathering or collecting of water samples from underground formations penetrated by a borehole, or collecting water samples at varying depths in surface canals, ponds, and the like. The invention is particularly suited for monitoring water in the vicinity of nuclear manufacturing, fabrication and disposal facilities for tritium contamination of ground waters.

Abstract: In connection with a method for determination of the content of at least some substance which is solved in a liquid, is used a measuring device, which is arranged to detect the character of a physical magnitude of the liquid, which physical magnitude is related to the content of the present substance, when the liquid has been treated with an adequate reagent. A volume of the reagent is measured, which volume corresponds to a defined length of a line, in which the reagent is transported, whereafter the measured volume is incorporated in a closed loop (1) in which the measuring device (26) is included, whereby the reagent volume which is incorporated in the measuring loop initially is essentially unmixed with the sample liquid and forms a section (X) in the line of the loop, which for the rest is filled with sample liquid and whereby the length of said section corresponds to or is in direct proportion to said length of the line in which the reagent is transported before it is incorporated into the loop.

Abstract: An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids which contain liquid and solid components. The cartridge includes a plumbing system composed of various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are separated and transported to a test well utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. The cartridge may be used to measure the concentration of a wide variety of chemical constituents in bodily fluids and is useful in measuring other properties of these fluids which contain liquid and solid components.

Abstract: An electro-analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids. The cartridge includes an electrochemical device that measures ionic activity using ion-specific electrodes. The cartridge further includes a plumbing system composed of the electrochemical device and various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are measured out and transported to the electrochemical device utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. Reference fluid is transported from a reference fluid well or reservoir to the electrochemical device for use in measuring ionic activity. The cartridge may be used to measure the ionic activity of a wide variety of ions in fluids including bodily fluids.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided to present a biological sample for analysis by an imaging instrument. The cartridge of the invention utilizes a series of channels, capillaries, reservoirs and stop junctions to precisely move a sample, reagent and diluent through the cartridge as a function of the sum of capillary, gravitational and low centrifugal forces. The operator applies a precise amount of sample to the cartridge; therefore, the cartridge fluidics need not meter the sample prior to dilution. A practical and cost effective cartridge and assay process is disclosed which overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. Such a cartridge is especially useful with fixed volume assays which permit low centrifugal accelerations to move the fluids within the cartridge.

Abstract: A chemical metering and control system is provided which maintains a desired level of a pesticide (or other chemical) in any open or closed channel flow stream with fluctuating flow rates. The system dispenses an amount of the pesticide at an injection point of the flow stream along with a fluorescent indicating dye, and then takes a sample downstream from the injection point to determine how much of the indicating dye is present in the flow stream, and therefore how much pesticide is present. At the sampling point a pump extracts a flow stream sample and passes the sample to a fluorometer which measures the amount of fluorescent indicating dye injected upstream. A proportional integral derivative (PID) controller then adjusts the level of the pesticide/dye mixture in order to achieve the appropriate concentration of pesticide in the flow stream.

Abstract: An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range.

Abstract: An access port for a reaction or other fluid vessel which maintains the vessel under an inert gas atmosphere and maintains the integrity of the inert gas seal while performing filtered filling or draining operations is presented. The port uses a deflected septum sealing technique. The invention can be used for a number of laboratory and clinical operations on a variety of size and shape vessels. The combination of the appropriate vessel with this access port is very well suited for use in lab automation systems, such as automated solid phase chemical synthesis, biological screening, combinatorial chemistry and other areas where reaction chemistry is conducted.

Abstract: A fluid diluter has a hydrodynamic focusing device with a circular mixing chamber opening into a receiving chamber via a sensing aperture. Diluent is supplied from a source and mixed with a sample of blood, for example, and the sensing aperture counts the presence of particles such as hemoglobin in the sample using the impedance method. The receiving chamber is subsequently emptied and the cycle repeated. In one embodiment, through-flow is achieved via a pair of pumps having different pumping capacities, connected together with a common actuator rod between the two pistons. In a second embodiment, four pumps are employed, three of which are ganged together. The system is substantially less bulky than known diluters yet permits accurate attainment of high dilution ratios. Particles may be analyzed in the aperture one at a time without coincidence. Altering relative capacities of the pumps permits adjustment of the dilution ratio.

Abstract: A multi-filter apparatus for processing ova and parasites from human and animal specimens. The filtration apparatus includes a specimen receptacle, a filter holder section and a collection receptacle. The filter holder section contains two filters, a coarse filter and a fine filter. The method for using the apparatus includes mixing a specimen with a preservation solution to form a mixture, transferring the solution to the specimen receptacle and then fractionating the mixture. After fractionation, the specimen receptacle, filter holder section and supernatant are conveniently discarded. The resulting concentrated parasite sample may be analyzed using conventional analytic techniques. The invention further includes a kit including a filtration apparatus and a preservation fluid dispenser.

Abstract: A concentration of a photosensitizing drug in a patient, for PhotoDynamic Therapy treatment of the patient by a treatment light at a treatment light wavelength, is determined by the steps of drawing a blood sample from the patient, separating a blood plasma portion from the blood sample, irradiating the blood plasma portion with an interrogation light at an interrogation wavelength range at an absorption band bluer than the treatment light wavelength, measuring a magnitude of an emission signal at the treatment light wavelength, the emission signal caused by the irradiation of the blood plasma portion, and comparing the measured magnitude to a magnitude/concentration calibration curve to determine the concentration of the photosensitizing drug.

Abstract: There is disclosed a small-sized automatic biochemical analyzer requiring reduced amounts of reagents. An original sample is transferred to diluting containers on a diluting turntable. The diluted sample is transferred to reaction containers on a reaction turntable and analyzed. The original sample is once diluted. The aliquots of sample are taken from the diluted sample. Thus, a limitation imposed by the minimum volume of liquid that the instrument can meter out can be overcome. Let N be the total number of the diluting containers on the diluting turntable. The turntable is rotated in M pitches at a time. M and N do not have any common factor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel sample introduction system which incorporates a venturi pump to convey a sample gas to an analytical instrument at atmospheric pressure. An APCI, ICP or MIP mass spectrometer is preferred as the analytical instrument. Using such an inlet with an APCI mass spectrometer, the real-time analysis of trace materials present in breath is facilitated, enabling, for example, the release of compounds responsible for aroma and taste to be analysed during eating and drinking. The invention can also be used for headspace analysis and for monitoring the release of fragrances from skin or clothing.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, apparatus and systems for use in performing in situ dilution or concentration of a particular subject material in a microfluidic device or system. These methods and apparatus may generally be integrated with other microfluidic operations and/or systems, to perfom a number of different manipulations, wherein dilution or concentration, carried out within the context of the microfluidic device or system, is just one part.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously and uniformly transferring micro quantities of liquid from a first plurality of separate cells to a second plurality of separate cells. Each of the first plurality of separate cells contain a liquid sample. Intake ends of a plurality of conduits are inserted into the first cells so that the intake ends of the conduits are immersed in the liquid samples. The conduits further including discharge ends. The discharge ends of the conduits are aligned with the second plurality of cells. A pressure differential is created between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells to cause micro quantities of the liquid samples to simultaneously and uniformly flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a control method and system are provided in an exhaust emission sampling system for controlling a flow controller in order to compensate for the effects of changing water vapor content in a diluted sample having a predetermined dilution ratio. A water measuring device such as a relative humidity sensor generates a water vapor signal based on the amount of water vapor in the diluted sample. The water vapor signal is then processed within a control unit to obtain a value for the amount of water in the diluted sample. A control signal is generated by the control unit based on the amount of water vapor, flow rate of the exhaust emissions, and also, on the type of fuel used in the combustion process to control the flow controller which is, preferably, a mass flow controller.

Abstract: A sampling means of a chemical analysis apparatus includes a membrane, which is attached to a membrane carrier, which has an inlet passage to the side of the carrier facing the membrane and a discharge passage going therefrom. The passages conduct the medium to be measured and which medium absorbs ions, molecules or particles which pierce the membrane. In order to provide a sampling means, which has a short reaction time and makes use of small amounts of the medium to be measured and is easy to manufacture, the mouths of the inlet passage and of the discharge passage, which opens to the membrane, are interconnected by means of at least one groove, which is open towards the membrane. The groove is formed in a surface layer, which is attached between the membrane and the membrane carrier or is manufactured on the surface of the membrane carrier. The open side of the groove is closed by the membrane such that the membrane adheres to the surface layer or to the surface of the carrier facing the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to the area of protein determinations in homogeneous solution by means of antigen-mediated precipitation by antibodies or using latex materials coated with antibodies and subsequent optical measurement of the precipitation reaction by a nephelometric or turbidimetric measurement.

Abstract: A transparent capillary tube containing a blood sample, a float, an anticoagulant plus other reagents, is centrifuged in a centrifuge so as to cause the various blood sample constituents such as cells and the like to gravimetrically separate out in the tube. The blood sample is drawn into the tube which already contains the float and reagents. In order to ensure proper mixing of the blood and the reagents in the tube, the tube is periodically centrifuged in opposite directions so that the various formed components in the blood and the float will gravitate first toward one end of the tube and then toward the opposite end of the tube. The tube will preferably be contained in a cassette which is removably positioned on the centrifuge platen.

Abstract: A method and system for accurate aspiration and dispensing of fluids and comprising in combination a volumetric pump, a motor, a motor driver, an encoder (device used to measure angular displacements) and a computing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for mixing a liquid with another liquid or a solid material by blowing a gas onto the surface of the liquid. The invention further relates to a system for implementing said method. Gas is blown onto the surface of the liquid from a distance which can be adjusted by determining the level of the liquid. A system of the invention, hence, comprises a device for blowing a gas onto the surface of a liquid and a device for detecting the level of a liquid.

Abstract: The method of diluting a fluid sample for analysis in a sample analysis system includes the provision of an aspiration probe with two interior sections. The first interior section of the probe has a first diameter and is proximate the aspiration opening of the probe. The second interior section of the probe has a second diameter of greater magnitude than the first diameter and is located distally of the first section. The probe aspirates in consecutive order selected amounts of fluid sample and diluent into the first interior section of the probe. The fluid sample and diluent are mixed in the second interior section of the probe by moving the sample and diluent back and forth in the second interior section a predetermined number of times. The back and forth movement of diluent and fluid sample in the second interior section of the probe provides substantially uniform mixing of the sample and diluent. The use of a Teflon.RTM.

Abstract: An analysis method and an analysis apparatus are disclosed, in which several fluid samples are passed in succession through a reaction channel to a detector, and at least one reagent is introduced into the reaction channel for reaction with the samples. It is intended thereby to be able to reduce the consumption of chemicals. For that purpose, successive samples are introduced adjoining one another into the reaction channel.

Abstract: An analytic instrument utilizing a Control Arena Network (CANBUS) and nodal architecture in the instrument with functions and logic distributed throughout the Nodes. A system controller is connected on the one hand to an operator input device for controlling the instrument, and on the other hand to a plurality of nodes via a CAN scrambler. Each nodes has a CAN microcontroller and related circuitry for performing autonomously a variety of functions of the instrument. The system controller and nodes communicate using CAN interface devices over the CANBUS, passing instructions, commands and data therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A device for automated pipetting of small volumes of liquid has a pipetting needle, a diluter having a liquid output with a syringe and a valve, the syringe including a piston and a piston drive. Tubing interconnects the needle and the liquid output of the diluter, the tubing and diluter containing a substantially incompressible liquid. An impulse generator is connected in the device and coupled to the incompressible liquid in the tubing for generating and applying directly to the liquid in the tubing a mechanical impulse force of at least 0.01 N.multidot.s for separating liquid from the needle.

Abstract: A device for dispensing microdoses of aqueous solutions are provided, whereby the substance is transferred by the free surface end of a rodlike transferring element; the temperature of the transferring element is maintained at essentially the dew point of the ambient air during the transfer. The device may comprise a plate-like base to which are affixed a plurality of rods; the unfixed butt ends of the rods are coplanar. The device further comprises a means for maintaining the temperature of the unfixed butt ends of the rods essentially equal to the dew point of the ambient air during transfer of the aqueous substance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are adapted for analyzing exhaust emissions by using a small fraction of a continuously-extracted exhaust sample combined with a pollutant-free diluent through a system of critical flow orifices at a predetermined and precisely controlled flow ratio. A small quantity of gas is extracted from the diluted exhaust gas available which is diluted with the contaminant-free air or nitrogen to produce a mixture having a dew point below ambient air temperature and satisfying the flow requirements of the analysis system.

Abstract: When small quantities of liquid sample are to be collected from the outlet of a small cannula tube, there is used a sample container (1) which includes a narrow capillary tube (2) whose one end is closed with an elastomeric seal (4) through which the cannula point can be inserted. Instead of taking liquid from the bottom of a vessel, the liquid is permitted to remain unified by means of capillary forces in the capillary tube (2), which forms part of an axial channel. The capillary widens towards the other end, for taking up larger sample quantities.

Abstract: In a method of testing a function of at least one detector at an inspection station (S) for containers, particularly in an inspection unit (R) for multi-trip bottles, a test gas is fed from a source (10) to the inspection station, or as the case may be to the detector(s), at periodic intervals.

Abstract: The method described comprises the steps of, firstly, a water content of from 3 to 20 wt %, based on the water-containing fluid, being set in the hydraulic fluid to be tested, followed by the water-containing fluid being mixed with at least 1 part by volume of tetrahydrofuran or monoethylene glycol dimethyl ether per part by volume of water-containing fluid, whereupon the formation or nonformation of a precipitate is ascertained.

Abstract: An apparatus for flow injection analysis is disclosed which comprises: (a) an open flow cell containing an upper cell body, a lower cell body contiguously affixed to the upper cell body, and a cell chamber provided in the upper cell body, the cell chamber having a bottom and a top, wherein the top of the cell chamber is open to an atmosphere; (b) a carrier fluid inlet port provided in a lower portion of the upper cell body and in communication with the cell chamber; (c) a fluid delivery device for introducing a carrier fluid into the cell chamber through the carrier fluid inlet; (d) an over-flow outlet setup in an upper portion of the upper cell body to allow exit of the carrier fluid and thus maintaining a constant fluid volume in the cell chamber; (e) a detector disposed in the lower cell body in such a manner that its detecting surface is placed at the bottom of the cell chamber and and facing upward; and (f) a sample injecting assembly, separated from the inlet port and the fluid delivery device for injec

Abstract: Fluid sample tester assembly (12) comprises a cartridge (6) having a pressure chamber (22) and entrance port (20) connected by a passageway (24). An analyte reagent (36) is positioned along the fluid passageway so that when a liquid sample (28) is drawn through the entrance port into the passageway, the analyte reagent mixes with the sample. The sample is preferably drawn into the cartridge by temporarily reducing the volume of the pressure chamber, applying the sample to the entrance port and then returning the pressure chamber to its initial volume; this can also be done by heating the chamber, contacting the sample and then cooling the chamber. The end of the sample defines a boundary surface (30) along the fluid passageway. Positive and negative pressure is applied to the sample to cause the boundary surface to oscillate within the passageway.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample, particularly a sample of blood, in different concentrations, a portion of a sample contained in a sample receptacle (P) and diluted to a predetermined concentration is again diluted to a predetermined lower concentration when it is transferred to a receiving vessel (20) in which the sample is analyzed in respect of one or more sample parameters. The transfer is effected by a pipette (17) which in a first position (B) thereof is brought together with the sample receptacle (P) for aspiration of said sample portion and which is then shifted to a second position (A) for dispensing the portion and liquid diluent to the receiving vessel (20).

Abstract: A sample dilution system including a dilution well waste chamber chamber, a dilution well spinning device, and a dilution well adapted to be controllably rotated by the dilution well spinning device when positioned within the dilution well chamber. The dilution well used in the dilution well system has an outer splash guard and a distal tip to permit facile tube gripping, respectively, and inner fins (baffles) to effect rapid and efficient mixing of the fluid contents of the dilution well.

Abstract: A multi-sensor flow-through system which mitigates or at least overcomes any cross field effects between different sampling conduits comprising a plurality of flow-through sample cells (2), wherein each sample cell (2) is provided in an independent and isolated sample channel (16a, 16b. . . ), whereby fluid flowing within each channel (16a, 16b, . . . ) is isolated from fluid flowing in neighboring channels (16a, 16b, . . . ). In one embodiment of the multi-sensor system, each sensor cell (2) operates as an autonomous and independent unit isolated from all other units. Ideally, each of the sample channels (16a, 16b, . . . ) are also independent and isolated from other sample channels (16a, 16b. . . ). The multi-sensor system can additionally have the exit end of the channels (16a, 16b, . . . ) feed into a well in such a way that free space is provided between the ends of the channels and the uppermost surface of fluid in the well.

Abstract: A fully functional analyzing unit is included within the fluid-tight housing of a dialyzer which may be immersed in the medium to be analyzed. An opening in the housing is closed by a dialysis membrane. A channel defining body cooperates with the membrane to define a flow channel. The unit includes a carrier fluid reservoir and a carrier pump for generating a flow of carrier fluid through the flow channel. By dialysis via the membrane, the flow of carrier fluid is transformed into a flow of sample fluid which is received in a reaction channel. Reagent fluid from at least one reagent reservoir is delivered to the reaction channel by at least one reagent pump, and a detecting device is coupled to the reaction channel for detecting a reaction product originating from a reaction between the reagent fluid and the sample fluid and for generating a corresponding detection signal. Effluent from the reaction channel is received in a waste reservoir.

Abstract: The invention is a rapid, continuous test for glycated hemoglobin using a non-equilibrium affinity binding method. Agarose beads derivatized with 3-aminophenylboronic acid specifically bind glycated hemoglobin. This solid phase is incorporated into a sample processor card, modified to mix and to separate the test solution from the solid phase prior to absorbance readings. Two absorbance readings are made on the test solution, one immediately after mixing the reagent/diluent with the specimen, and one after a significant amount of binding has occurred. A linear correlation between total glycated hemoglobin and hemoglobin A.sub.1c permits standardization and reporting of units equivalent to % hemoglobin A.sub.1c. Stable glycated hemoglobin solutions for use as standards in the assay, and a method for preparing the standards are also disclosed.

Abstract: The particle measuring apparatus includes a specimen pipetting section for pipetting a specimen liquid, a reagent dispensing section for dispensing a reagent, a mixing section for receiving the specimen liquid supplied by the specimen pipetting section and the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing section and a flow cell for receiving the specimen liquid and the reagent transferred from the mixing section and measuring particles therein; the pipet being so constructed as to be positioned in a first state of picking up the specimen liquid as well as in a second state of supplying the specimen liquid into the mixing section, the mixing section being open when the pipet is in the first state, the mixing section being kept closed by the pipet in the second state so that the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing section can press and transfer the specimen liquid in the mixing section out toward the particle measuring section.

Abstract: A method of activating target proteins in a biologic sample for radioimmunoassay or other immunoassay by adding the sample to a diluent containing no calcium or magnesium, heating the mixture in a boiling water bath for a designated period of time, cooling the sample, centrifuging the mixture to isolate the activated protein containing supernatant, and then vortexing the supernatant to ensure homogeneity of the protein.

Abstract: A liquid sampling valve includes a fixed element having a contact surface and a movable element having a contact surface for contacting the contact surface of the fixed element; the fixed element or the movable element having measuring passageways extending to the contact surfaces, the measuring passageways having an opening for receiving and measuring a liquid sample incorporated into the opening; both the fixed element and the movable element being provided with a plurality of cleaning passageways, each having an opening at a location spaced apart from the central part of the contact surface, the location being different from the locations where the openings for the measuring passageways are provided. Movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element into a first state allows for a liquid sample to be filled into the measuring passageway, and movement into the second state allows for the liquid sample filled in the measuring passageway to be conveyed to out of the element.

Abstract: A method of determining the total carbon dioxide concentration in plasma (TCO.sub.2 plasma) directly from a whole blood sample involves adjusting total carbon dioxide concentration measured in the whole blood sample (TCO.sub.2 whole blood) using a volume dilution factor (VDF) to give a value that is equivalent to TCO.sub.2 plasma.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatuses and methods for preparing fluid. In one method, a heater thermally associated with a housing for receiving fluid is operated to apply thermal energy to the housing. A second predetermined volume of a second fluid is introduced to the housing. The second predetermined volume of the second fluid is moved with the housing for a first predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of the first fluid is introduced to the housing. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are moved with the housing for a second predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are removed from the housing. Another embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a first housing for containing fluid. A second housing is operatively connected with the first housing.