Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for immunoassays in which a specific binding receptor is coupled to a polymer having a linear backbone. The resulting receptor: polymer complex is soluble in aqueous solution. The complex provides the advantage of performing assays without the use of secondary binding reagents or without the use of particles.
Abstract:
A system (5) for ultrasonic energy coupling includes an ultrasonic transducer (11), a horn member (12) defining a passageway (14), and a pump (17) for moving fluid through the passageway and outwardly of the horn. The method used to accomplish the energy coupling or transfer includes vibrating the horn member with an ultrasonic transducer and pumping fluid through the passageway in the horn member and onto an object.
Abstract:
A process to prepare factor X deficient plasma is provided. In this process, normal plasma is contacted with an immunoadsorbent having a monoclonal antibody to factor X attached. The factor X binds to the immunoadsorbent and the factor X deficient plasma is collected. The antifactor X antibody immunoadsorbent may be reused. Monoclonal antibodies to factor X are also provided.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for specific binding assays in which specific binding reagents are immobilized on a solid phase. Immobilization is facilitated by covalently coupling specific binding assay reagents such as polypeptide receptors or analytes with water soluble polymers. Such water soluble polymers, for example star polymers such as dendrimers, provide production advantages of lot-to-lot uniformity and homogeneity, and can enhance sensitivity due to low non-specific binding to the solid phase.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for randomly detecting blood coagulation in a sample. The apparatus includes a reaction container wheel (2), a sampling station (6), a reaction container transfer means for transferring the reaction containers to a reaction wheel (14), a driving means for continuously indexing the reaction wheel (14), a plurality of reagent addition means positioned along the reaction wheel to allow for a complete incubation, without changing the rate of indexing of the reaction wheel, prior to detection and a plurality of detection means (48) are positioned along the reaction wheel to detect the rate of reaction without changing the rate of indexing of the reaction wheel. The apparatus is used to detect blood coagulation in a sample.
Abstract:
Washing/aspiration systems and associated methods for assays employing paramagnetic solid phase binding particles (422) remove fluid and unbound components from the test well (18) without losing the paramagnetic particles (422) in the process. In one arrangement, the surface tension of the fluid in the well (18) is altered in a preselected manner to redistribute larger volumes of fluid away from the center region of the well (18) and toward the side region of the well (18). Fluid is aspirated from the side region, freeing the center region of the well (18) for the collection and concentration of the paramagnetic particles (422) away from the aspiration flow. In another arrangement, the distribution of the paramagnetic particles (422) in the well (18) is altered by subjecting the particles to a dynamic magnetic field (602; 608) that varies the direction and intensity of the magnetic gradient as a function of time. The dynamic magnetic field (602; 608) collects and concentrates the particles (422) within a region of the test well (18) away from the aspiration probe.
Abstract:
An improved control system for a stepper motor coil (190) includes a flyback circuit (192) that dissipates coil energy slowly while the coil is energized and operated in the chopping mode, while dissipating coil energy rapidly when the coil is switched to its de-energized phase.
Abstract:
A system (10) for processing a specimen to which fluid must be added includes a fluid dispensing work station (16) within a housing. The work station (16) holds the fluids that are to be added to the specimen. A nozzle (148) dispenses fluid at the work station. The system (10) also includes a carrier (24) that moves within the housing. The carrier (24) operates in a first mode at the fluid dispensing work station (16). The carrier also operates in a second mode outside the work station (16) to perform a different processing function. A coupling mechanism (170) attaches the nozzle (148) to the carrier (24) when the carrier (24) enters its first operational mode to transport the nozzle (148) around the fluid dispensing station (16). The coupling mechanism (170) releases the nozzle (148) from the carrier (24) when the carrier (24) enters its second operational mode, thereby freeing the carrier (24) for movement outside the work station (16) out of association with the nozzle (148).
Abstract:
A system (10) uses a photometer that establishes an optical channel between a light emitter (102) and a light detector (106). The photometer analyzes a specimen while it occupies a well (48) in a tray (12). A movable platform (74) transports the tray (12) to the optical channel for analysis and removes the tray (12) from the optical channel after analysis. The system calibrates the movable platform (74) to assure proper alignment between the specimen and the photometric apparatus used to analyze the specimen. The system also calibrates the optical channel without use of an external reference.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to synthetic peptides of HIV-2 and method to use the synthetic peptides in an improved immunoassay for antibodies to HIV-2. The antigenic peptide of formula (Sequece Id. No. 1 or 2), the improvement involving adding Lysine substantially adjacent to the N or C terminus of the peptide and adding a glycine between Lysine and Aspartic acid if Lysine is added to the N-terminus of the antigenic peptide.