Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus for applying a liquid sample onto a long test film, incubating the sample-applied film portion by an incubator, and measuring the degree of color formation at the sample-applied portion comprises a cutter provided upstream from the position of sample application for cutting the long test film to a length necessary for a single step of sample application, and a cut-film conveyor for conveying the sample-applied and cut portion of the long test film into the incubator, whereby the long test film is utilized efficiently and processing thereof is facilitated.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus comprises a sample accommodating region, an accommodating region for test films containing a reagent which reacts with a liquid sample to give rise to a change in optical density, and a conveyor for sequentially pulling out each test film from the test film accommodating region. An applicator takes up the liquid sample from the sample accommodating region and applies it to the test film at the position to which the test film has been pulled out. An incubator incubates the sample-applied film portion for a predetermined time, and a detector measures the optical density of the sample-applied film portion during or after the passage of the predetermined time. The conveyor, the incubator and the detector are provided to correspond to each of the test films, and a movement device moves the applicator to apply the liquid sample to the test films.

Abstract: A test strip evaluating instrument is used for testing of multiple test strips, and has a transport and positioning device which transports the test strips at right angles to their longitudinal direction from a test strip feed area along a transport path to a disposal area. At least one measuring station with an optical measuring unit is arranged on the transport path. Rails, on which the test strips slide, run along the transport path. The test strips are transported in a step-wise manner by at least two rows of cam elements following one another in the transport direction, and these two rows of cam elements move synchronously with one another in a periodically recurring movement path.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus comprises a sample accommodating region, an accommodating region for a test film reacting with a liquid sample to give rise to a change, and a conveyor for sequentially pulling out the test film from the test film accommodating region. An applicator takes up the liquid sample from the sample accommodating region and applies it to the test film at the position to which the test film has been pulled out. An incubator incubates the sample-applied film portion for a predetermined time, and a measuring device measures the change at the sample-applied film portion during or after the passage of the predetermined time. Both the incubator and the measuring device are provided at the position where the sample application onto the test film is carried out by the sample application means.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus includes a sample accommodating region, an accommodating region for test films containing a reagent which reacts with a liquid sample to give rise to a change in optical density, and a conveyor for sequentially pulling out each test film from the test film accommodating region. An applicator takes up the liquid sample fromt he sample accommodating region and applies it to the test film at the position to which the test film has been pulled out. An incubator incubates the sample-applied film portion for a predetermined time, and a detector measures the optical density of the sample applied applied film portion during or after the passage of the predetermined time. The conveyor, the incubator and the detector are provided to correspond to each of the test films, and a movement device moves the applicator to apply the liquid sample to the test films.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer has a cold-storage chamber and a tape-feeding cassette which can be accommodated in the cold-storage chamber and is detachable therefrom. The cassette contains a chemical analysis tape and has an opening through which the tape can be taken out of the cassette. A section of the tape-feeding cassette inside of the opening is sealed off from the atmosphere and from other parts of the cassette. The tape passes through this section. This section is provided with air which has a relative humidity not higher than 70% such that the pressure therein is positive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the odor intensity of combustion gas produced from an internal combustion engine in which the odor intensity of combustion gas is obtained from the pH-value of an aqueous solution prepared from odor-producing substances, based on a predetermined relationship between pH-value and odor intensity. The odor intensity thus obtained strongly correlates with organoleptically evaluated odor intensity. Since the odor intensity of the gas is determined from the pH-value, the precision and the reliability of the odor intensity measurement are enhanced.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis method comprises the steps of accommodating a long test film in a refrigerator, repeatedly pulling the long test film out of the refrigerator until a sample-applying portion, i.e., the next unused portion of the test film, is aligned with a sample applying position, applying a liquid samples onto the sample-applying portions of the long test film at which time the sample-applying portions become sample-applied portions, incubating the sample-applied portions, and irradiating light to the sample-applied portions in order to determine optical densities, which depend on the how much of a certain constituent in a liquid sample existed and therefore reacted with a reagent in a reagent layer of the test film. The length of a sample-applying portion to which a present sample will be applied, is changed in accordance with conditions which exist after the analysis of the sample applied to the test film immediately prior to the present sample has been finished.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis apparatus for applying a liquid sample onto a long test film, incubating the sample-applied film portion by an incubator, and measuring the degree of color formation at the sample-applied portion comprises a test film conveyor for continuously conveying at least the part of the long test film inside of the incubator so that a speed v [cm/min.] at which the part of the long test film inside of the incubator is conveyed is expressed as v=n.l. The incubator is constituted so that a length L [cm] of the incubator in the direction of conveyance of the long test film satisfies the condition of L.gtoreq.(nt+1).l, where l [cm] denotes the length of a portion of the long test film necessary for a single step of sample application, t [min.] denotes the incubation time, and n [number/min.] denotes the number of repetitions of sample application per unit time.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor in which the phenomenon of long-range surface plasmon resonance is used to develop a highly sensitive detector for use in biological, biochemical or general chemical testing. The sensor includes a laminar structure having of a high refractive index glass block, a membrane of dielectric material, a thin metal layer, and a sensitive layer. A sample to be tested is brought into contact with the sensitive layer. The refractive index of the dielectric layer and that of the layer (sensitive layer/sample) on the opposite side of the metallic layer should be equal, or nearly so, and the refractive index of the glass block should be higher than this so that total internal reflection takes place at the interface between the block and the membrane. Light from a laser source is totally internally reflected at this interface, and the strength of the reflected beam is monitored by a light detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for chemically analyzing a sample on a test piece that includes a reagent layer, comprises a test piece table for positioning a test piece thereon, and an applying station wherein a sample may be applied to the reagent layer. The test table moves to a position below a row of holes with the reagents aligned to the holes and a sample is applied to each reagent layer from a nozzle, the samples passing through the respective holes. Covers are moved over the holes after the samples are applied and the test pieces are moved to a measuring station for measuring the reaction between the sample and reagent layer. Photometric techniques are used in evaluating the reaction. Opening and closing of the covers is controlled by motion of the sample dispensing nozzle as it moves from one opening to the next.

Abstract: A new mechanism for supplying in sequence unused regions of an analytical tape by predetermined length to an analytical section arranged in an apparatus for biochemical analysis of a liquid sample is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a driving means for moving the analytical tape to supply its unused regions to the analytical section; a means for detecting length of the unused regions of the tape supplied to the analytical section comprising a roller which is arranged in contact with a surface of the tape so that it rotates with movement of the tape for the supply of the unused regions to the analytical section and a means for detecting number or angle of the rotation of the roller, and a means for controlling operation of the driving means according to the detected number or angle of the rotation of the roller.

Abstract: The molecular concentration of a constituent such as oxygen of an anesthetic agent in a gas is measured by contacting the gas with the surface of a solid body, momentarily heating the surface so that the constituent reacts at the surface to alter a property of the surface such as reflectivity, and determining the degree or rate of alteration occasioned by the heating step. The momentary heating operation may be performed by light from a laser focused on to a small localized region. The body surface can include a thin film of a material such as a metal reactive with the gas constituent of interest at elevated temperatures. The preferred methods provide extraordinarily rapid response, and also form a permanent record of each measurement. Where the gas is at substantially constant pressure, the measured molecular concentration can be interpreted as an indication of the proportion of the constituent in the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting test material in strip form underneath a measuring device, the test material having various test zones along the length of the strip, the apparatus comprising conveyor means for transporting the test material; a retaining device disposed above the conveyor means at an angle transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor means; and at least one heating device disposed on the retaining device for selectively heating individual test zones on the test material as the test material is transported by the conveyor means.

Abstract: A chemical analysis slide includes at least two plastic sheets superposed one on another and bonded together, and a chemical analysis film sandwiched therebetween. In a method of continuously assembling such chemical analysis slides, while at least two plastic sheets in continous lengths are conveyed in the longitudinal direction thereof, a plurality of chemical anaylsis films are sandwiched between the plastic sheets at predetermined intervals, the plastic sheets are bonded together at a portion circumscribing each of the chemical analysis films sandwiched therebetween to form a sheet assembly and individual chemical analysis slides are cut out from the sheet assembly. At least one of the sheets in continuous lengths is provided with a plurality of slits extending in the transverse direction of the sheet at regular intervals at the remaining portions of the sheet which do not form a part of the chemical analysis slide.

Abstract: An analysis instrument is characterized by a rotatable mold ring onto which is drawn superimposed sheets of plastic material. The inner sheet is softened and formed into an indented mold cavity and the outer sheet sealed thereover to define a partially closed sample chamber, or cuvette. A sample to be analyzed is introduced into the chamber. Any of the chambers may have selectively introduced thereinto a suitable reagent and the reaction occurring in any chamber may be selectively monitored at any predetermined circumferential location of the mold ring.

Abstract: A chromatography sample transfer process is disclosed in which fractions on a TLC plate are automatically moved by capillary action from the plate to separate receptacles adapted to retain material for diffuse reflectance measurement. The developed TLC plate is so mounted that its fractions are horizontally spaced, and its lower edge is in a solvent. As the solvent moves upwardly due to capillarity, it dissolves the fraction samples, and transfers them to a plurality of horizontally spaced wicks. The wicks, which are preferably made of sintered stainless steel powder, carry their solvent/sample material upwardly to separate receptacles, each containing transparent powder which retains the sample during diffuse reflectance measurement. The solvent is removed from the receptacles by horizontal airflow (air knife) without requiring significant heating.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the stack gases of a purge cascade of a gaseous diffusion plant for uranium activity. A sample stream is taken from the stack gases and contacted with a volume of moisture-laden air for converting trace levels of uranium hexafluoride, if any, in the stack gases into particulate uranyl fluoride. A continuous strip of filter paper from a supply roll is passed through this sampling stream to intercept and gather any uranyl fluoride in the sampling stream. This filter paper is then passed by an alpha scintillation counting device where any radioactivity on the filter paper is sensed so as to provide a continuous monitoring of the gas stream for activity indicative of the uranium content in the stack gases.

Abstract: A chromatography column/moving belt interface for directing the output of the column to a point of use, detection and/or identification, such as a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The chromatography column/moving belt interface of this invention thus provides for substantially simultaneous analysis of materials separated in the column. The chromatography column utilizes horizontal flow through the separating medium with the output therefrom being at or near atmospheric pressure. The moving belt interface includes means for directing the output of the column onto a moving belt at variable angles, means for vaporizing output which is deposited on the belt and means for providing a vacuum lock arrangement such that the belt moves from and through a near atmospheric pressure of the column output to a near vacuum condition of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically performing a blood glucose test includes a cylindrical carrier with a holder for receiving a reagent pad. Upon receiving the pad, the carrier holds the pad for a predetermined reaction time and then rotates the pad successively to washing and de-watering stations. After de-watering, the pad is presented to a measuring station at which a reflectometer evaluates the color characteristics of the pad. A display of glucose level as a function of the color change of the pad is presented.

Abstract: A stable control solution is provided for the determination of urobilinogen. The control solution comprises an aqueous solution of about 3-12% ethylene glycol, about 0.1% protein and preferably about 40-400 mg/dl urobilinogen, said composition buffered to pH about 8.0-9.0 and retained in a hermetically sealed container under a blanket of inert gas.

Abstract: A system for monitoring ambient carbon monoxide. Light from a source (14) is directed against a measuring element (10) which darkens in color as it absorbs carbon monoxide. The light reflected from the element is received by a photocell (16) which generates an electrical signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light received thereby. The signal is sampled periodically, and stored in a microprocessor (24) which computes the rate of change of the signals. The periodic measurement of the intensity of the light can be varied in response to the rate of change of the light intensity measurement. When the rate of change reaches a level indicative of an unsafe level of ambient carbon monoxide, an alarm (34) is energized. Light from the source is simultaneously directed against a reference element (12) with the light reflected therefrom being received by a photocell (18) which generates an electrical signal proportional to the intensity of the light received thereby.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a series of samples of a mixture comprises a continuous filter strip on a roll and means for advancing the filter strip along a predetermined guide path. A suction head is located below the guide path and a bell member above the guide path at a point opposite to that of the suction head. The bell member is capable of being raised and lowered so that a portion of the filter strip is sealed between the bell member and suction head when the bell member is in the lowered position. Feeding means are provided through which samples of the mixture are conveyed from a sample vessel, through the bell member and onto the filter strip when the bell member is in the lowered position. A stamping device is located downstream the bell member whereby portions of the filter strip supporting the sample are stamped out in disc form. The disc is received within a receiving vessel. Reagent fluid supplied to the disc through a needle.

Abstract: Effluent from an LC is passed through a thermospray nozzle which flash vaporizes substantially all of the solvent while directing any sample components as a collimated beam onto a moving tape so that the various components form spots on the tape. The tape is moved along a path that intercepts the optical path of an FTIR spectrometer whereby IR energy from the spectrometer is passed through each sample component and is then spectrally analyzed. The tape can be wound up, stored, and later used for further analysis of the spots, as desired, in the FTIR spectrometer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for aligning and simultaneously removing excess fluid from test devices. The apparatus comprises carrier means designed to support a test device used for the determination of constituents in fluid. The apparatus further comprises blotter means supported and guided by the carrier means, said blotter means being capable of moving along the carrier means and contacting the test device along one of the blotter surfaces. The surface of the blotter means which contacts the test device has characteristics to facilitate the removal of excess fluid present on the test device upon contact of the blotter with the test device.

Abstract: Apparatus for the evaluation of test strips conveys the strips on a disposable web (e.g., a paper tape) from a first position where the test strips are placed onto the web, past a second position where the test strips are evaluated by a reflex photometer or other probe, to a take up position where the strips are wound up with the web for disposal. At the second position a barrier strip is disposed between two reciprocating arms or connecting rods, and serves to align the test strips with the probe. The connecting rods also carry at least one gripper having a beveled edge to urge the aligned test strip into registry with the probe. After evaluation, the barrier and gripper or grippers are lifted so that the evaluated test strip can be carried to the take up position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting sample fluid on an analysis slide of the type which is used to perform quantitative analyses. The apparatus comprises means for projecting radiation comprising wavelengths absorbed by water onto the slide and means for measuring the intensity of radiation received from the slide, both before fluid is metered on the slide and after fluid has been metered thereon. The difference between radiation received from a wet slide and from a dry slide is compared with known values to determine if the slide contains sufficient fluid for a suitable test result.