Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a transport mechanism having a rotatable turntable adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator or temperature controller, a reflectometer and associated electronics and software. The rotatable turntable preferably holds up to twelve slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the turntable by an inserter mechanism. The turntable positions the reagent test slides under the metering device, which device deposits a predetermined amount of sample onto each slide. The turntable also carries the slides above a reflectometer. After testing has been completed, an ejector mechanism automatically removes the reagent slides from the turntable.

Abstract: There are disclosed a shuttle apparatus and method for catching a test element ejected from an incubator, for carrying it to a station outside the incubator, e.g., a wash station, and for returning it to a loading station. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a simplified catcher plate and means for moving the plate in an arcuate path around a portion of the circumference of the incubator. The plate cooperates with stop means disposed above said arcuate path, to capture a washed element upon reloading, so that the washed element can be reloaded by returning it to the original path used to load elements into the incubator in the first instance.

Abstract: Apparatus for the in situ hybridization of slide-mounted cell samples contains modules for the three processes required: (a) reagent metering and spreading on a slide (1) which is effected by drawing a quantity of reagent (56-59) into a reservoir (31) and then spraying it on the slide (1) using air pressure. The rate of flow through the spray is ascertained by measurement and the dosage determined by timing the spraying; (b) slide washing; and (c) slide incubation. The slide washing and incubation are performed in the same dual-purpose housing (16). A high humidity level is maintained in the housing during incubation so that the samples do not need to be covered to prevent them drying out. A plurality of slides (1) are mounted in a carrier (11) to be washed and incubated at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunohistochemical staining method using improved reagents. In one aspect, the method uses an evaporation inhibitor liquid to prevent evaporation of reagents applied to an assay region of a slide.

Abstract: A method for measuring target substance contained in a liquid sample is disclosed. The measurement is carried out by using a device having at least one reaction area comprising a solid phase, and the liquid sample is applied onto the reaction area through a porous member to allow for a reaction of predetermined volume of the liquid sample on the reaction area. A device used for such measurement is also disclosed. A device comprises a body having at least one reaction area comprising a solid phase, and a porous member disposed on or above the reaction area. The porous member allows for the liquid sample to be permeated therethrough.

Abstract: The metering device for a slide analysis system deposits serum onto a slide that is held in a spotting position by a slide transfer device. The metering device is movable to a sampling position relative to a slide holding module to aspirate serum from a serum source on a slide cartridge in the slide holding module and is also movable to a spotting position to spot serum on the slide held by the slide transfer device. The metering device also has rotational as well as elevational movement and includes a built-in pipette tip ejector for discarding a used pipette tip.

Abstract: An improved device for performing agglutination reactions is disclosed. The device has at least one chamber with a proximate zone and a distal zone in which chamber agglutination reactions can be performed. The improvement comprises utilization in the device of a layer of liquid absorbent material for controlling overall rate of liquid flow through the chamber. The layer of liquid absorbent material is selectively impregnated with a substance to form an impregnated region and a non-impregnated region wherein the non-impregnated region is liquid absorbent and the impregnated region is liquid-occlusive. A portion of the non-impregnated region is positioned within the distal zone of the chamber so that the non-impregnated region is in liquid communication with that zone.

Abstract: A method for applying a droplet of a liquid sample from a sample applying nozzle, which is movable between a retracted position and a sample applying position, to a test film which contains a reagent which will react with a liquid sample and give rise to a change in optical density, includes providing the leading edge of the sample applying nozzle with a test film sensor. Prior to the application of the droplet of the liquid sample to the test film, the sample applying nozzle is moved down until the test film sensor comes into contact with the test film, and the distance by which the sample applying nozzle was moved down is stored. At the time the liquid sample is applied to the test film, the distance by which the sample applying nozzle is moved down is adjusted in accordance with the stored distance so that the sample applying nozzle is moved down to a sample applying position spaced a predetermined distance from the test film.

Abstract: A miniature chamber assembly that provides a miniature capillary environment in which a liquid medium containing microscopic-size particulate material can be placed for study under a microscope. The assembly includes components which do not wet relative to the liquid medium. The assembly provides a miniaturized capillary environment that can contain the liquid medium for a period of time sufficient to enable observation while preventing deterioration of the medium.

Abstract: An incubator useful in an analyzer, and a method for locating a slide element properly in the incubator. The incubator and the method are provided with a referencing mechanism and step, respectively, effective to push back on the datum surface or edge of a slide element that has been inserted too far into a station of the incubator, to move the portion of the slide element that produces a detectable signal, back a distance which is predetermined for that station to be the one that gives the most effective reading of the slide element.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. Repeatability is insured by a normalization technique performed on the light source before each reading, and an alignment method operated on the reagent strip prior to emplacement on the apparatus.

Abstract: A shuttle apparatus and method for catching a test element ejected from an incubator, for carrying it to a station outside the incubator, e.g., a wash station, and for returning it to a loading station. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a simplified catcher plate and a device for moving the plate in an arcuate path around a portion of the circumference of the incubator. The plate cooperates with a stop disposed above said arcuate path, to capture a washed element upon reloading, so that the washed element can be reloaded by returning it to the original path used to load elements into the incubator in the first instance.

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 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 the measurement of clot formation times, clot dissolution times, or clotting parameters is disclosed. This method performs these measurements by monitoring movement of magnetic particles incorporated in the sample being assayed, where the movement is induced by a magnetic field.

Abstract: Protein analysis apparatus has porous sample supports enclosed in holes in a sample slide. Slides are delivered to hydrolysis and derivatizer stations by a rotating turret such that moveable heads at the stations form closed reaction chambers with the slides, sealing around the holes in the slides and enclosing the sample supports. Tubings connected to the heads deliver substances for reaction, derivatization and cleaning. Protein samples applied to sample supports at one position on the turret are delivered sequentially to hydrolysis and derivatizer stations, and operations are computer controlled. Derivatives are automatically delivered for chromatographic analysis, and supports are automatically cleaned with solvents and purge gas after derivatization and before return to a sample load position. Closed reaction chambers formed by the moveable heads can be heated and pressurized as required for processing.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer includes a transport mechanism having a rotatable turntable adapted to hold a plurality of reagent test slides, a sample metering device, an incubator or temperature controller, a reflectometer and associated electronics and software. The rotatable turntable preferably holds up to twelve slides about its circumference, which slides are loaded onto the turntable by an inserter mechanism. The turntable positions the reagent test slides under the metering device, which device deposits a predetermined amount of sample onto each slide. The turntable also carries the slides above a reflectometer. After testing has been completed, an ejector mechanism automatically removes the reagent slides from the turntable.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus useful in an analyzer, comprising a first mechanism for moving a stack of elements around at least one generally circular, horizontal track, a second mechanism for temporarily holding a stack on the track, and a third mechanism for altering the second mechanism between two states, one which holds the stack on the track and the other which releases the stack from the track.

Abstract: An analytical method using chemical analytical slides which includes the steps of: placing liquid samples in an automatic sampler of an analyzer, loading in to said analyzer the chemical analytical slides combined in groups according to respective analytes to be measured in each sample, including a partition plate interposed between said groups of the chemical analytical slides, and changing over the sample to be spotted on the chemical analytical slide by means of said automatic sampler when said partition plate is detected.By employing this method, the sample to be spotted can be precisely and synchronously changed, and therefore, serious error is prevented that might occur if the analytical result of a different person is used to distinguish between analytes. Moreover, the analytical operation is simple and highly efficient.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simplified transfer mechanism that minimmizes both the number of moving parts needed, and the shapes of those parts. An L-shaped pusher blade is mounted to move in and out of a first station such as at an incubator so as to be effective to move a test element from the first station to two or more subsequent stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an erroneous pre-spotting of liquid onto a test element in an analyzer. The invention utilizes a wetness detector and calculates the estimated second derivative of the R-C time decay curve produced by such a detector, to determine if a sudden increase in a slope exceeds more than a threshold value for two consecutive points. The threshold value is picked so as to exceed sudden increases that can be created by noise in the system.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the measurement of glucose levels in blood without requiring separation of red blood cells from serum or plasma.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer providing an analysis slide positioning apparatus and method for properly aligning a test slide relative to a sample dispenser of the chemical analyzer. The slide positioning apparatus is capable of moving the slide in three different planes of movement for effecting alignment of the slide and to control fluid application thereto. The positioning apparatus includes a platform which supports the slide, a mechanism for moving the slide on the support in a first direction, and a drive mechanism for moving the platform and the slide carried thereon in second and third directions extending perpendicular to each other and to the first direction.

Abstract: There are described apparatus for collecting used test elements containing possibly hazardous liquids, and a method of collecting them. The apparatus features a container, and preferably a stacking station used with the container. The container can comprise a variety of configurations, and includes side walls, first and second end walls, access means in one of the side walls near the first end wall defining an aperture to allow test elements to feed into the container, and biasing means for biasing a test element against the first end wall or against a test element adjacent to the first end wall. A highly preferred form of the container is one in which one of the noted side walls is constructed to be a leaf spring.

Abstract: An apparatus for biochemical analysis wherein a measuring element is conveyed by a conveying device to a dispensing unit for dispensing a substance to be measured into the measuring elements. On the conveyed device a photometric device for subjecting the measuring elements to photometry, and a discharging device for discharging the measuring elements from the conveying device are mounted. The measurement of the elements can be conducted by two or more measuring methods.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the measurement of glucose levels in blood without requiring separation of red blood cells from serum or plasma.

Abstract: There is described an analyzer for determining analytes of a body liquid, in which stacks of test elements are stored prior to use. To control the level of humidity in which the stacks are stored, first and second compartments are provided with access openings connecting them to the stack-storage area. A mechanism is provided for selectively closing off and opening up the access openings, and for actively forcing air to flow from either of the compartments into the storage area. One of the compartments has a supply of water, and the other has a desiccant.

Abstract: This device measures the level of a certain chemical in a liquid infiltrated into a piece of test paper impregnated with a test chemical the optical properties of which alter according to the level of the certain chemical. It includes: a test paper holder, provided in a test paper insertion unit provided in a casing; a device for emitting light and a device for sensing light, both provided to oppose a piece of test paper held by the holder; a cover, slidably mounted to the casing, for selectably covering over the insertion unit; a device for biasing this cover in one direction; a device for engaging this cover in an extreme position in the opposite direction; and a device for releasing the engagement of the engaging device. This engagement releasing device may be a press button provided to the casing; and the sliding direction of the cover may be its opening direction of movement, or alternatively may be its closing direction of movement.

Abstract: There is described an incubator comprising a rotor moving above a stationary surface, the rotor comprising stations having a cover member, a lower support for a test element, and a spring biasing the cover member against the lower support. In one aspect of the invention, three reference surfaces are provided in the stationary surface for the lower support of the rotor to slide against. In another aspect, an improved spring is provided for ready, releasible capture by the rotor.

Abstract: There are described an incubator and an analyzer using such, in which the evaporation caps of the test element holding means are caused to be raised at loading and unloading stations by a fixed camming surface and a cam follower on each of the caps. As a result, size and complexity of the incubator are substantially reduced.

Abstract: A generally tubular container integrally formed and communicating with a microscope slide member having an enclosed specimen chamber. The container is adapted to serve as a centrifugation tube and a permanent handle for manipulation of the microscope slide member. The back of the device is generally flat and the front and sides of the collection tube are generally rounded except for a concave region extending longitudinally from the upper face of the microscope slide member to provide clearance for rotating a lens turret for high power viewing of a specimen in the slide chamber.

Abstract: There is described an analyzer capping element for blocking off air access to pipette tips, such capping element being mounted for automatic unblocking directly in response to movement of a test element into position for pipette dispensing.

Abstract: There is described a cartridge for receiving test elements sensitive to improper orientation. A key and keyway are provided on the inside surface of a wall of the cartridge and on the test element in an asymmetric disposition, so that test elements can be inserted only with a proper orientation.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of an analyte in a fluid is described along with various components of an apparatus specifically designed to carry out the method. The method involves taking a reflectance reading from one surface of an inert porous matrix impregnated with a reagent that will interact with the analyte to produce a light-absorbing reaction product when the fluid being analyzed is applied to another surface and migrates through the matrix to the surface being read. Reflectance measurements are made at two separate wavelengths in order to eliminate interferences, and a timing circuit is triggered by an initial decrease in reflectance by the wetting of the surface whose reflectance is being measured by the fluid which passes through the inert matrix. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the measurement of glucose levels in blood without requiring separation of red blood cells from serum or plasma.

Abstract: A nozzle of a dispenser is filled with a coagulative liquid specimen. Then, the liquid is drawn into the dispenser such that a lower surface of the liquid is spaced from the lower end of the nozzle by a distance which is not smaller than the inner diameter of the nozzle. The liquid is maintained at this position before the next discharging operation is carried out to discharge a predetermined amount of coagulated test liquid onto a chemical assay slide for incubation of the test liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible and transparent ribbon having two continuous longitudinal shoulders disposed along the edges of a face of the ribbon opposite that which is intended to support a plurality of samples to be processed. These shoulders are intended for magnetic, optical, computer or other coding for providing very accurate location, on the order of 10 microns, of elementary sample portions. A space is provided between the shoulders for containing by capillarity a film of appropriate (reactive, rinsing, etc. . . ) liquid. This ribbon may also be provided with micro-wells and is intended to be contained in a cassette of the type used for video tape recording purposes, having jaws and connected to an image acquisition device and to a microprocessor for control purposes and data processing.

Abstract: An autonomous continuous analysis method and apparatus using Dip and Read type analytical implements. A series of operations of taking out analytical implements, dipping them in the sample solution, optical measurement, calculation, and disposal of the used sample solution are performed automatically.The dip stage, in particular, is automated by use of an analytical-implement automatic supply device and an analytical implement automatic handling device which, holding an analytical implement, dips it in the sample solution, and sets it ona reaction turntable. A number of analytical implements are put in a storage section comprising a bottom section provided with an analytical implement groove and at least one inside surface which is parallel with the groove, are taken out one by one by the relative movement of the groove and in normal and reverse direction and by stopping in a specified position after confirming by a detector that an implement has been caught in the groove.

Abstract: The unitary device includes a generally tubular container having a generally central specimen collection space communicating with the open upper end of the container, and a microscope slide member below and integral with the container and having transparent flat front and rear walls throughout at least a portion thereof, and a central cavity therebetween communicating with the container space through the lower end of the container. The container is adapted to serve as a centrifugation tube and a permanent handle for manipulation of the microscope slide member. The back of the device is generally flat and the front and sides of the collection tube are generally rounded. In one embodiment, the device is of thermoformed plastic and may include a flexible front wall in the microscope slide member, overlaid by a removable flexible support strip attached thereto by spaced ribs of adhesive so that such front wall ripples and flexes during removal of the strip to uniformly mix sediment collected in the cavity.

Abstract: A chemical assay system comprises at least one incubator having a plurality of slide receiving chambers each for receiving a chemical assay slide. The chambers are arranged in a row so that the chemical assay slides received in the chambers are arranged in a row in one plane and each chamber is provided with an opening for exposing the chemical assay slide received therein. A probe for projecting light onto the chemical assay slide and measuring the intensity of the light reflected from the chemical assay slide is provided to be movable along the row of the chemical assay slides to positions in front of one of the openings of the slide receiving chambers.

Abstract: A chemical analysis apparatus comprises a slide loading section for holding chemical analysis slides, a section for applying a sample material to the chemical analysis slide, and an incubator provided with housing compartments for housing the chemical analysis slides side by side in a transverse direction on the same plane. The apparatus also comprises a read-out head slideable in the transverse direction and disposed to face the chemical analysis slide housed in the housing compartment via a readout opening formed in each housing compartment, thereby emitting light to the chemical analysis slide and measuring the reflection optical density thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for feed-in and ejection of a chemical analysis slide comprises an incubator having compartments for housing chemical analysis slides placed side by side in a transverse direction. The compartments have inlet openings formed along a rear end face of the incubator, and outlet opening formed along a front end face thereof. A conveying device conveys the chemical analysis slide to a position facing one of the inlet openings, and a slide feed-in device, provided with slide feed-in protrusions facing the inlet openings, extends along the rear end face of the incubator. One of the slide feed-in protrusions is caused by forward movement of the slide feed-in device, to contact a rear edge of the chemical analysis slide conveyed to the position facing the inlet opening and to feed the chemical analysis slide into the compartment.

Abstract: Effluent from a liquid chromatograph (LC) is deposited onto a deposition medium having a deposition surface inert to the LC effluent elevated above and parallel to a planar IR reflective front surface, preferably driven so as to define a continuous sample track in a generally circular, spiral or raster pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the deposition medium is a plate of germanium inert to aqueous and nonaqueous solvents, thicker than the longester IR wavelength of interest and having an undercoating of aluminum. Effluent is preferably deposited in a spiral pattern on the deposition medium in the form of a rotating disk. After collection, the reflection spectra can be interrogated by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The same collection technique can be used to collect and mount samples for mass spectrometry. To promote solvent evaporation, the effluent discharge is enveloped by a stream of heated nitrogen, particularly beneficial for reversed phase chromatography.

Abstract: A multiple reagent test strip-reading instrument having rails extending from a loading area to one or more reading station platforms and then to a waste receptacle, a reciprocating blotter arm which contacts individual reagent strips sequentially placed transversely on the rails in the loading area, moving individual strips along the rails to an indexing strip advancing mechanism which intermittently advances the strips along the rails in spaced parallel relation, and after each advance, allows the strips to dwell for a predetermined time period; individual test strips being thereby sequentially delivered to reading position on the reading station platform where, during the dwell period, they are read by reflectance photometry. After reading, the strips are moved to the waste receptacle.

Abstract: A biochemical analyzer provided with a disk for engaging and conveying measuring elements and an analyzing method wherein information held by the measuring elements is detected and the engagement and conveyance of these elements can be controlled on the basis of the detected information. The biochemical analyzer is provided with engagement slots for the measuring elements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and a process for quantitation of Toxoplasma gondii and Treponema pallidum antibody titer in a biological sample by immunofluorescent photometric microscopy.

Abstract: An agglutinographic slide for immunochemical liquid agglutionation particle reagents has a first panel and a second panel. The second panel is spaced a predetermined distance from the first panel. The slide has an entrance end and a viewing end. A channel is positioned between the first and second panels so that liquid agglutination particle reagents are transported from the entrance end to the viewing end. The channel has a length greater than the length of the slide to allow control of flow and enhance the viewability of the reaction.

Abstract: An automatic dyeing apparatus has a casing, a plurality of vessels arranged in the casing, a specimen cage transporting mechanism and a controller capable of moving each cage with a plurality of pieces of slide glass to a predetermined position whereby various dyeing operations can be carried out at the same time.

Abstract: There is disclosed a test element advancing mechanism for use in an analyzer to move such test element from station to station, and a method of doing the same. The mechanism features a support surface over which the test elements move in a predetermined direction, a test element mover for engaging and moving the test elements, means for reciprocating the mover along a surface disposed to one side of the support surface, a portion of said mover being constructed to engage the reciprocating means, and means for pivoting the mover about an axis that extends parallel to the movement direction so that the engaging means are moved into or out of contact with such test elements. The test element mover includes a lever arm emanating from one side of the reciprocating means engaging portion, constructed to interact with the pivoting means.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a constant temperature for chemical analysis performed with slides having at least one layer adapted to absorb a substance to be analyzed. The slides are conveyed upon a lower conveying belt which may have projections or recesses formed therein for receiving the slides. The upper portions of the slides are sealed by a sealing guide belt which has a surface disposed parallel to and adjacent the conveying belt with the slides passing therebetween. A heater may be provided within the conveying belt and the guide member provided within the sealing guide belt which may itself perform a heating function.

Abstract: A biochemical analyzer provided with a disk for engaging and conveying measuring elements and an analyzing method wherein information held by the measuring elements is detected and the engagement and conveyance of these elements can be controlled on the basis of the detected information. The biochemical analyzer is provided with engagement slots for the measuring elements.