Abstract: The invention relates to a calibrating gas generator for generating a calibrating gas with a pregiven concentration of a calibrating gas component. The calibrating gas generator includes two vessels through which gas can flow. These two vessels contain the calibrating gas component in a calibrating solution and are connected in series. The temperature of the calibrating solution is controlled to a constant value by a temperature control apparatus. In order to improve the constancy of temperature, one of the vessels is arranged at least partially within the other vessel and this other vessel is configured, at least in part, as a heat insulating jacket for the one vessel.

Abstract: In a method for calibration of a pH measuring element whose ion-permeable, hydrophilic polymer layer is brought into contact with an aqueous solution prior to calibration, the aqueous solution is displaced or replaced by a gaseous calibrating medium, and residues of the aqueous solution remaining in the ion-permeable polymer layer. The gaseous calibrating medium contains a known amount of at least one component which is acid or basic in aqueous solution which reacts with the remaining residues of the aqueous solution in the polymer layer, such that a defined pH value is established in the polymer layer, which is employed for calibration of the measuring element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of equilibrating the dissolved gas composition of an aqueous fluid to reflect the predetermined gas composition contained in a gas equilibration reservoir. The equilibrated aqueous fluid can be used in a method of determining the concentration of a dissolved gas in a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed method is used to control the equilibrated gas composition of a calibrant fluid which, in turn, is used to measure the concentration of a dissolved gas, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, in a sample fluid, such as whole blood.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of equilibrating the dissolved gas composition of an aqueous fluid to reflect the predetermined gas composition contained in a gas equilibration reservoir. The equilibrated aqueous fluid can be used in a method of determining the concentration of a dissolved gas in a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed method is used to control the equilibrated gas composition of a calibrant fluid which, in turn, is used to measure the concentration of a dissolved gas, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, in a sample fluid, such as whole blood.

Abstract: A device for generating a test gas e.g., ethanol has at least two series-connected containers, which are filled with a calibration solution. A carrier gas, which is enriched with the calibration substance present in the solution corresponding to the vapor pressure of the calibration substance at the given temperature, is passed through these calibration containers. To prevent or to reduce the depletion of the components necessary for the gaseous calibration substance in the calibration solution, a defined amount of a stock solution is fed through the calibration containers in counterflow to the direction of delivery of the carrier gas.

Abstract: A system and method for checking the calibration of a breath alcohol measuring instrument by the use of alcohol standards all containing substantially identical concentrations of alcohol and the use of a calculator which generates an expected measured value for the standard based on the known alcohol concentration and current atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The proper operation of an NDIR toxic gas sensor can be checked by using a non-toxic gas that has an absorption band that overlaps the absorption band used for measuring the toxic gas. The NDIR sensor cannot distinguish which of the two gases is responsible for causing the observed absorption of radiation in the sensor. Since detectors of toxic gases typically operate at low concentration levels, the extent of overlap between the absorption band of the toxic gas and of the non-toxic gas may be relatively small, since a larger concentration of the non-toxic gas can be used with no ill effects. The method may be applied to sensors for detecting carbon monoxide or methane for example.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid phase substance having a pre-established concentration of CO.sub.2 suitable for calibrating analytical instruments such as hemogasanalyzers consists in:preparing an aqueous solution of precisely known strength of a water-soluble salt of carbonic acid,then transferring said solution to a flow reactor containing a cation exchange resin in hydrogenionic form,passing the aforesaid solution of carbonic acid salt through the aforesaid cation resin,thereby achieving the reaction of producing a pre-established quantity of CO.sub.2, andtransferring the eluate thus obtained directly to the analytical instrument for calibration.

Abstract: A multi-phase control and/or calibration system consists of a liquid phase containing an amount of dissolved oxygen (O.sub.2) in which the O.sub.2 partial pressure is made relatively temperature insensitive over an ambient temperature range of interest, and an amount of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and one or more solute species that provide temperature stability with respect to the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 over the ambient temperature range of interest. The liquid phase is in equilibrium with a vapor phase and the system sealed with a storage atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for forming a mixture containing a regulated, low concentration of a target component within a carrier fluid. In accordance with the present invention, the carrier fluid is passed through the bed including a compound having two phases with one of the two phases containing the target component. A vapor phase of the target component exists within the bed in equilibrium with the target component contained within at least one of the two phases. The vapor phase has a partial pressure dependent upon bed temperature. The carrier fluid is then passed through the bed so that it contains the target component upon leaving the bed at essentially the partial pressure of the vapor phase. The target component concentration is dependent upon a quotient of the partial pressure of the vapor phase and carrier fluid total pressure. Regulation of the bed temperature and carrier fluid total pressure will in turn regulate the concentration of the target component within the carrier fluid.

Abstract: A flow reactor for simulating the interaction in the troposphere is set forth. A first reactant mixed with a carrier gas is delivered from a pump and flows through a duct having louvers therein. The louvers straighten out the flow, reduce turbulence and provide laminar flow discharge from the duct. A second reactant delivered from a source through a pump is input into the flowing stream, the second reactant being diffused through a plurality of small diffusion tubes to avoid disturbing the laminar flow. The commingled first and second reactants in the carrier gas are then directed along an elongate duct where the walls are spaced away from the flow of reactants to avoid wall interference, disturbance or turbulence arising from the walls. A probe connected with a measuring device can be inserted through various sampling ports in the second duct to complete measurements of the first and second reactants and the product of their reaction at selected XYZ locations relative to the flowing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing standard gas mixtures which entails purifying a raw gas using a gas purifier (3) such as a known two stage gas purifier system, thereby generating a high-purity diluent gas;mixing the high-purity diluent gas and at least one high-concentration standard gas, by generating a medium-concentration gas mixture;dividing the medium-concentration gas mixture into a first flow and a second flow;selectively mixing the first flow with a sample gas or a high-purity diluent gas or a mixture thereof, thereby obtaining a standard low-concentration gas mixture; andcontrolling the pressure of the sample gas, the second flow of the medium-concentration gas mixture and the standard low concentration gas mixture.

Abstract: A container for breath alcohol simulator solution comprising a self-standing 4 mil polyethylene bag having a removable label designating the quantity and calibration concentration of the fluid contained within the bag. The label may be removed from the bag and affixed to the breath alcohol simulator. A plurality of the filled bags are packaged in an upstanding position within a front and top opening carton having a pivoting lid for transportation, storage and use. The bag may be torn open and the fluid contents poured into a cavity within the breath alcohol simulator, or the bag may be opened and placed partially or entirely within the breath alcohol simulator with a gas inlet extending into the bag beneath the fluid level. Alternatively, the bag may be placed within a breath alcohol simulator having a gas inlet or outlet equipped to puncture the bag, with the simulator solution then being discharged into the cavity, or the air passed through the simulator solution within the bag.

Abstract: A stabilizer for maintaining a constant level of CO.sub.2 in coenzyme containing enzymatic CO.sub.2 diagnostic reagents is disclosed, comprising rate-limiting amounts of (a) the diagnostic reagents and (b) coenzyme-regenerating reagents, e.g., wherein (a) is malate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase and NADH, and (b) is glucose dehydrogenase and glucose, as are methods of use and kits containing a diagnostic reagent and stabilizer.

Abstract: A liquid control standard for the use in the quality assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems is disclosed. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO.sub.2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as ionized calcium and total calcium as well as Na, K and Li ions in the blood and, optionally, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multiple control standard for the use in the quality assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood, and as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as Na, K, Li and Ca ions in the blood.

Abstract: A method of simulating a positive response by volatile organophosphorus ers to an ionization detector system which comprises forwarding to the ionization detector system a gaseous stream comprising water vapor and a di(lower alkyl) sulfoxide or a cyclic sulfoxide represented by the formula I: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, in an amount sufficient to elicit a positive response by the ionization detector system.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multiple control standard for the use in the quality assurance of blood analysis instrumentation systems. The liquid control standard is able to act as a control standard for blood gas instrumentation systems measuring pH, pCO2 and pO.sub.2 of blood, as a control standard for a co-oximeter measuring the amount of total hemoglobin present in the blood and the relative amounts of other hemoglobin fractions present in the blood, and as a liquid control standard for ion selective electrode instrumentation systems for the measuring of electrolytes such as Na and K ions in the blood.

Abstract: A calibrating gas generator comprises two series connected solution tanks filled with an aqueous ethanol solution which are connected together so that a pump may direct air so that it successively bubbles through the ethanol solution in each tank and exit through a test nozzle connected to the last tank. Means are provided for maintaining a temperature in the first tank of 37.degree. C. and in the second solution tank of 34.degree. C. In accordance with the method of the invention, the testing reliability of the calibrating gas is extended by directing a gas such as air so that it successively bubbles through ethanol solutions in first and second tanks and by maintaining the solution in the first tank at 37.degree. C. and the solution in the second tank at 34.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precise control of vapor phase concentrations of volatile organic compounds is provided which utilize desorption of monolayers of the organic compound from a solid adsorbent. The method and apparatus can be used for measuring human olfactory system performance, for calibration of analytical chemical instruments, and in other applications.