Abstract: An automatic chemical analysis method particularly designed for determination of carbon content in liquid samples comprises breaking, at a work station, the tops of ampoules containing samples to be analyzed positioned in a sealed chamber by lowering a purge tube from above into the chamber, flowing a gas through the purge tube into the liquid sample in the opened ampoule and then out the chamber to a gas analyzer. Successive samples are conveyed by a turret to the work station and moved into the sealed chamber by a piston device for automated, repeated analysis.

Abstract: An automatic sampling system and method for introducing a diluted viscous sample into an instrument for analysis for trace elements. The automatic sampling system includes a tube assembly, a member for mounting the tube assembly in proper relation, means for maintaining, between sampling, the free end of the tube assembly in a cleaning solution, and means for inserting the free end of the tube assembly into a sample contained within a container. Preferably, the instrument is a spectrometer, the samples are organic and aqueous samples, such as oils, brines, sludges, plating solutions and the like, and the trace elements include wear metals and also other elements, such as calcium, barium, zinc, sodium, magnesium, boron, phosphor and the like.

Abstract: A sample delivering method for use in a multi-channel multi-item automatic chemical analyzer having a plurality of reaction lines corresponding to the test-items and a sample supplying line. A sample delivering region is determined in the reaction lines and the sample supplying line, and vacant reaction tubes in the sample delivering region are detected. Samples in the sample delivering region are delivered into the vacant reaction tubes which correspond to the test-items required for the samples. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of reaction tubes to be used in an analysis, and thus the through-put of the analyzer can be improved to a great extent as compared with a conventional automatic chemical analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the blood group of an individual. The apparatus comprises a carrier plate slidably mounted for horizontal movement and adapted to support an analysis holder. The analysis holder is provided with several series of cavities adapted to hold blood samples, agglutination reactants, and mixtures of the two for analysis. A block of distribution needles associated with pumping means is slidably mounted for vertical movement. The number of needles in the distribution block and the number cavities in each series in the analysis holder is the same. The movements of the block of distribution needles and of the carrier plate are synchronized, when initiated, so as to cause blood samples and reactants to be pumped from their respective cavities in the analysis holder through their corresponding needles to analysis cavities. Analysis is by optical density detecting means associated with means for displaying the analytical results.

Abstract: An electrolyte in a sample is stably measured by using an automatic biochemical analyzing apparatus wherein a flame photometer is assembled, which comprises a sample pipetting and delivering member, a reagent liquid delivering member, reaction cups charging the sample delivered through the sample pipetting and delivering member and the reagent liquid delivered through the reagent delivering member and a flame photometer for measuring an electrolyte, the method being characterized in that with respect to a sample cup to which the measurement of electrolyte is ordered, the sample pipetting and delivering member and the reagent delivering member are operated to deliver the sample and the reagent liquid to a reaction cup and an electrolyte of the diluted sample in the reaction cup is measured by the flame photometer and with respect to a sample cup to which the measurement of electrolyte is not ordered, the sample pipetting and delivering member is not operated and into a reaction cup corresponding to said sample

Abstract: An automatic chemical analyzer for measuring quantitatively a plurality of kinds of substances of a number of sample liquids comprises: a reagent delivery unit including a plurality of reagent bottles containing different kinds of reagents which are required for measuring the plurality of kinds of substances and a syringe type dispenser for delivering given amounts of reagents into a plurality of empty reaction vessels set in a cassette, a reaction vessel supply unit for holding a plurality of cassettes and for supplying successively the reaction vessels in which given reagents have been previously delivered in accordance with given test items to be performed, an analyzing unit for receiving the successive reaction vessels from the reaction vessel supply unit and including a syringe type sample delivery pump for supplying given amounts of sample liquids into the reaction vessels and a colorimetric device for measuring colorimetrically test liquids in the reaction vessels, a first control unit for controlling

Abstract: A sampler for taking samples from multiple sources has a fixed, non-moving needle at a sampling station. A sample vial is lifted from a tray at the sampling station. The needle pierces the septum of the vial and enters the sample as the vial is lifted toward the needle. The sample vial is also rotated as it is lifted, and a bar code reader makes a number of spaced apart, helical reads on a bar code label attached to the vial for label identification of the sample. The needle includes an inner, sample needle and an outer, gas-pressurization needle. The sample is withdrawn by the positive displacement of a syringe connected to the sample needle. The combination of the gas pressurization within the vial and the positive displacement of the syringe insures movement of the sample and accurate control of the volume removed independent of the viscosity of the sample.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the accuracy and reliability of a chemical analysis, wherein a reaction is carried out by combining a sample liquid with at least one reagent to form a test liquid and the test liquid is photometrically scrutinized a plurality of times over an extended period of time to derive a number of photometric values. The derived values are then stored and a plurality of the stored photometric values are preliminarily selected from a given time frame, wherein the plurality of preliminarily selected values are less than a total number of stored photometric values.

Abstract: An automatic clinical analysis apparatus for liquid samples includes a stepwise rotatable circular plate which carries a plurality of reaction tubes on the periphery thereof; and at least one, and preferably several, reagent supply stations arranged at mutually different locations around said plate. The stations are operative to supply reagent liquid to the reaction tubes carried by said plate; a sample supply station is operative to supply sample liquid to said tubes carried by said plate; and a measuring station in which liquid can be withdrawn from said tubes by suction and analytically measured. The sample supply station is able to supply sample liquid selectively from any one of a large number of sample containers to that reaction tube in the plate which has been advanced to a given position. Each reagent supply station is able to supply any one of a plurality of mutually different reagent liquids to any one of two different reaction tubes in said rotary plate located at different given positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions occurring on a slide, cartridge or other reflective carrier in which the nature of the reaction is determined quantitatively by means of a change in color. The reaction products are illuminated by radiant energy of a known wavelength and the reaction is detected and/or monitored by the reflection of the radiant energy from the sample where the reaction is occurring. A plurality of samples carried on such slides is disposed in alignment in a circle or a line and a rotor or carriage carrying plural photometers or a single photometer producing plural beams at different wavelengths is moved relative to the samples, the beams being directed at the samples.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the distribution and preparation of samples from primary vessels, especially samples of patients' sera, liquid reagents or the like, which are transferred into fixedly mounted secondary vessels of any desired construction, preferably in accordance with the data from a distribution sheet recorded by a control programing apparatus, where the secondary vessels can be moved into position one after the other by means of a transporting carriage for the primary vessel having an associated diluter, this transporting carriage being movable in the x-y plane by means of two stepping motors, and the primary vessel is brought back into its starting position after each delivery or after delivery of the samples intended for the entire series of samples.