Abstract:
A modular reservoir system which has a plurality of interchangeable fluid containment receptacle modules (14, 16, 18, 100), secured within the perimeter of a base frame (12). The frame (12) provides support and positioning for a user selectable configuration of modules (14, 16, 18, 100) to allow the user to perform a scientific experiment where a number of different reagents may be contained in close proximity for use by a pipettor or bulk dispenser. The modules are (14, 16, 18, 100) stand-alone components; or, they may be user selectably configured within the base frame (12) to enhance the usage of an automated fluid transporting and measuring work station. In an alternative embodiment, the invention discloses test tube support rack (80) and microtiter plate (102) modules for use in conjunction with the fluid reservoir modules (14, 16, 18, 100). In still another alternate embodiment, the invention discloses a pipette tip support rack module (122) for use in conjunction with the fluid reservoir modules (14, 16, 18, 100).
Abstract:
A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitive measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette (48, 50) within a nephelometric optics module (44, 46). A sensor (246, 248) senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette (48, 50), and a heat exchanging device (250, 252) increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit (242) responsive to the temperature sensor (246, 248) controls the heat exchanging device (218) to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette (48, 50) within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station (18), sample probe (22) means for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station (18), a sample preparation station, and sample transport (20) means for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette (48, 50). The system may include an antibody pickup station (108), antibody probe (110) means for withdrawing an antibody from the antibody pickup station (108), an antibody preparation station, and antibody transport (106) means for carrying the antibody from the antibody preparation station to the reaction cuvette (48, 50).
Abstract:
A protein/peptide sequencing system which incorporates the design changes to prevent condensation and contamination of formation in the reaction vessel and fluidic passages and controls relating thereto, improved reaction chamber cleaniness, eliminate high vacuum applications during evaporative stages of the reaction, maintain the reaction chamber enclosed to improve fresher and temperature stability and reduce contaminant formation at obtained indirectional flow of gases, vapors, liquids and wastes within the reaction chamber away from the reaction site.
Abstract:
A centrifuge adapter is formed in two sections (12, 14) divided by a plane that preferably extends through the longitudinal axis of the adapter. The two sections may be substantially identical in a first embodiment, each including a generally semicylindrical portion having a trough (20) therein and further including an end portion (18). In a second embodiment, the adapter may comprise a first section (42) including the entire bottom end portion for supporting the bottom of a centrifuge tube. The second section (44) is formed generally as a semicylinder or a cylinder. When the first and second portions are assembled in facing relationship the troughs (20, 22) form a cavity for receiving a centrifuge tube therein. The sections of the adapter may be separate pieces, or they may hingedly connected along a pair of adjacent edges. The sections may be connected by projections (36) extending from one section into corresponding cavities (30) in the other section. The sections are easily separated after the sample has been centrifuged to remove the centrifuge sample tube from the adapter.
Abstract:
A method for use with liquid scintillation flow systems including flowing a mixture comprising a sample (12) and a liquid scintillation medium (20) through a flow detector (24), the liquid scintillation medium including a radionuclide marker having an energy distribution different from the sample. A pulse height distribution spectrum is determined and a unique point on the portion of the pulse height distribution spectrum representing the energy spectrum of the medium is found, a pulse height value related to such unique point providing a value related to the degree of quench present in the mixture. By comparing such pulse height value to a pulse height value obtained in a like manner for a calibration standard, a degree of quench present in the mixture is indicated. Furthermore, the counts detected for the liquid scintillation medium during a measurement period may be related to the specific activity of the liquid scintillation medium to determine the volume of liquid scintillation medium flowing during the measurement period. The volume of sample flowing during such period may also be determined by relating the liquid scintillation medium volume to a ratio of sample to liquid scintillation medium flowing through the flow detector. Sample count rate is corrected for quench and sample specific activity is determined.
Abstract:
A method and means for generating a sampling control signal for use with an infrared spectrophotometer utilizing a Michelson interferometer to obtain light wavelength dispersion and a two frequency laser to control the interferometer operation.
Abstract:
A method comprising (a) applying a sample to at least two application areas on an electrophoretic gel; (b) electrophoresing the gel; (c) aligning a template onto the electrophoresed gel, the template having a template slot corresponding to each electrophoresed area; (d) applying a composition capable of fixing proteins in situ to at least one template slot and applying an antisera capable of reacting with one protein to at least one of the remaining template slots; (e) incubating the resultant product of step (d); (f) removing the template from the incubated, electrophoresed gel; (g) washing the incubated electrophoresed gel of step (f); (h) drying the washed gel of step (g); (i) staining the dryed gel of step (h); (j) destaining the stained gel of step (i); (k) drying the destained gel of step (j); and (l) analyzing the dryed gel of step (k).
Abstract:
A device (18) for handling and washing beads (42). The device is attachable to a test tube rack (11) and includes a frame (24), a containing slide (22), and a capture slide (23). By manipulating the slides in various combinations of positions the beads may be added to, removed from, or separately washed apart from test tubes (12) in the rack. Complete and easy washing of the beads may thus be accomplished.
Abstract:
An improved mirror alignment control for dynamically aligning the reflecting mirrors bounding the optical path in an interferometer comprises a closed loop servo control which utilizes a two frequency laser beam (16) to provide phase comparison between beams traversing differing portions of the optical paths in the interferometer to determine alignment of the mirrors (12, 14), said phase comparison providing a correction signal to direct multi-axial alignment of at least one of the mirrors.
Abstract:
An ion-selective electrode including a pellet (12) secured in a housing (11) by a curable resin (13). The front face (14) of the pellet (12) is coated or impregnated with a silicone oil.