Other

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Cryomedics, Inc.

Benton A Durley, Iii

Hari Matsuda

Charles Michael Galitz

Frederic L Clark

Steven G Schultz

Charles L Davis

Carl W Merkh

Edward G Pumphrey

James D Defreese

Vidas P Kazlauskas

Roger A Janczak

John G Pumphery

Paul E Garrett

Lawrence Spritzer

Carl M Groom

Apparatus for measuring electrolyte concentrations in fluid samples. The apparatus includes an ion selective electrode capable of generating a voltage differential having a magnitude related to the concentration of the corresponding electrolyte in the sample. A voltage to optical transducer circuit is provided to convert the voltage differentials to a digital code and then to an optical signal which is related to the concentration of the electrolytes. The optical signals are suitable for detection by conventional optical detector apparatus of assay instruments. A passive duplex transfer is utilized to simultaneously read one optical signal while transferring the next bit of the digital code. The duplex transfer configuration also makes novel use of the photodetection properties of an LED.

Apparatus for measuring electrolytes including optical measurements

A semi-automated biological sample analyzer and subsystems are provided to simultaneously perform a plurality of enzyme immuno assays for human IgE class antibodies specific to a panel of preselected allergens in each of a plurality of biological samples. A carousel is provided to position and hold a plurality of reaction cartridges. Each reaction cartridge includes a plurality of isolated test sites formed in a two dimensional array in a solid phase binding layer contained within a reaction well which is adapted to contain a biological sample to be assayed. The carousel and cartridges contain structures which cooperate to precisely position the cartridges in each of three separate dimensions so that each cartridge is positioned uniformly. An optical reader operating on a principle of diffuse reflectance is provided to read the results of the assays from each test site of each cartridge. Also provided is a subsystem which provides predetermined lot-specific assay calibration data which is useful for normalizing the results of various assays with respect to predetermined common standard values.

Test card for performing assays

Apparatus for measuring electrolyute concentrations in fluid samples. The apparatus includes an ion selective electrode having a plurality of ion selective detection sites. Each site has an affinity for a preselected electrolyte of interest and generates a potential having a magnitude related to the concentration of the corresponding electrolyte in the sample. A voltage to optical transducer circuit is provided to convert the voltage differentials to optical signals having intensity related to the concentration of the electrolytes in a first embodiment, a digital code related to the concentration of the electrolytes in a second embodiment, and an optical absorption or density value related to the concentration of the electrolytes in a third embodiment. The optical signals are suitable for detection by conventional optical detector apparatus of assay instruments and may be processed using conventional two point linear interpolation techniques to determine the concentrations of the preselected electrolytes.

Apparatus for measuring electrolytes utilizing optical signals related

A two-part test cartridge for use in a centrifugal analyzer for measuring the concentration of different electrolytes in blood or blood serum samples has one part which is disposable and which is characterized by a sample entry port, one or more filled calibrant chambers, a waste chamber and passages between various chambers; and a second, mating part which is reusable and which is characterized by an ISE, a power supply and circuitry therefor, and a series of chambers and passages adapted for communication with the series of chambers and passages in the disposable part.

Two-part test cartridge for centrifuge

An improved ISE is provided for measuring the concentration of an electrolyte in a sample in a centrifuge-type analyzer utilizing a multichamber test pack. The reference cell and sensor cell of the ISE are each comprised of an electrode, fill solution, housing and membrane in a fully self-contained configuration. Each cell is of sufficiently small size to fit in the test pack. The electrode of each cell is provided with screw threads to allow each cell to be screwed directly into the test pack thereby securing the cell to the test pack and at the same time providing a convenient electrical contact to the readout electronics of the test pack. With the present design manipulation of the ISE sensor output voltage can be achieved by varying the known ion concentration of the fill solution. Also provided is a novel method of introducing a fill solution into the cell after all of the cell components are in place.

Flow-through electrochemical sensor

A portable ultrasonic Doppler System for sensing movement, e.g. fetal heartrate, within a body. A handheld unit includes a housing containing an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver. The ultrasonic receiver detects ultrasonic energy emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter and reflected off of the moving object being monitored. The handheld unit also includes a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting a carrier modulated in accordance with the response of the ultrasonic receiver. A radio frequency receiver unit, separate from the handheld unit, receives the signal broadcast by the handheld unit. The receiver unit drives a speaker or earphone to provide an audio output for listening to the moving object being monitored. Digital display and memory circuitry is also provided which can be used in conjunction with said receiver unit to store and display data indicative of the movement being monitored. In conjunction with the handheld unit, a patient being monitored becomes the radio frequency antenna and the doctor becomes an extension of the antenna ground plane, providing a highly efficient radio link between the handheld unit and the receiver unit.

Portable ultrasonic Doppler System

A method of automatic combustion control in a combustion system comprising a combustion chamber, combustion means for causing the combustion of fuel in the chamber, a heat exchanger connecting with the combustion chamber, an exhaust passage connected with the heat exchanger, and fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the combustion means, such method comprising measuring the combustion temperature in the combustion chamber and producing a first quantity corresponding in magnitude with the combustion temperature, measuring the exhaust temperature in the exhaust passage and producing a second quantity corresponding in magnitude with the exhaust temperature, producing a summation of the first and second quantities and thereby producing a summation quantity, and varying the supply of air to the combustion means in such manner as to maximize the summation quantity, whereby the combustion efficiency is also maximized. A minor amount of water is mixed with the air in the form of very small water droplets, 100 microns or less in size, to increase the combustion efficiency while controlling the buildup of combustion byproduct contaminants on the internal components of the combustion system.

Automatic combustion control method and apparatus

The vibratory-rotary motion converter may comprise a vibratory member having a generally cylindrical external surface, supporting means for supporting the vibratory member for axial vibratory motion along the cylindrical axis of such surface, vibration producing means for causing such axial vibratory motion of such member, a rotary member slidably and rotatably mounted around such cylindrical surface for rotary motion relative thereto about the cylindrical axis thereof, a shoulder member on the vibratory member and having a shoulder facing toward said rotary member, and at least one flexible resilient arm on the rotary member and having an end portion extending toward said shoulder for engagement therewith, the arm being oriented for flexing motion in a direction such that the end portion of the arm has axial and circumferential components of motion relative to the cylindrical axis, the rotary member being biased toward the shoulder to produce a yieldable biasing force between the shoulder and the end portion of the arm so that axial vibration of the vibratory member produces flexure of the arm and consequent rotation of the rotary member. One display device comprises a rotary hub frictionally driven by such rotary member and rotatably mounted around the cylindrical surface of the vibratory member, at least one mobile display element positioned outwardly from the rotary hub, and a flexible resilient spoke-like connecting element extending between the rotary hub and the mobile display element for causing such element to rotate with the rotary hub while affording flexibility therebetween.

Vibratory-rotary motion converters and display devices incorporating

An ultrasonic transducer device is disclosed, comprising an elongated front end mass, an elongated tail mass, a pair of piezoelectric elements disposed between said front end mass and said tail mass, an electrode disposed between said piezoelectric elements, means for clamping said front end mass and said tail mass together with said piezoelectric elements and said electrode clamped therebetween, and a mounting member having an opening therein slidably receiving said piezoelectric elements and portions of said front end mass and said tail mass, said opening having a sufficiently loose fit with said piezoelectric elements and said masses to obviate any substantial damping of ultrasonic vibrations. Preferably, said electrode comprises a plate projecting outwardly beyond said piezoelectric elements, said mounting member having an internal peripheral slot within said opening and slidably receiving said electrode plate to restrain said piezoelectric elements and said masses against longitudinal movement. The electrode is preferably in the form of a plate which projects outwardly beyond the piezoelectric elements and is slidably received in a peripheral slot formed within the mounting member. In one embodiment, the mounting member is made of silicone rubber, preferably molded around the piezoelectric elements and the masses, so that the mounting member interlocks with the electrode plate. When the silicone rubber mounting member is cured, it debonds and shrinks away from the piezoelectric elements, the electrode plate and the masses to provide the desired sliding fit. In another embodiment, the mounting member is split into a plurality of complementary components to facilitate the installation of the piezoelectric elements, the masses and the electrode plate within the opening in the mounting member.

Ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer using a rubber mounting

Devices are disclosed using ultrasonic vibratory energy for atomizing water, gasoline or other liquids, for use in humidifiers, carburetors, and the like. A humidifier or atomizer is disclosed comprising an ultrasonic transducer having a vibratory member, together with means for producing ultrasonic vibrations thereof, a liquid supply conduit for directing a liquid into contact with the vibratory member, and a collection receptacle disposed below the vibratory member for collecting the liquid when the ultrasonic transducer is not in operation. The ultrasonic transducer may comprise an elongated front end mass, an elongated tail mass, a pair of piezoelectric elements disposed between such masses, an electrode plate disposed between the piezoelectric elements, means for clamping such masses together, with the piezoelectric elements and the electrode plate therebetween, and a mounting member having an opening therein slidably receiving the piezoelectric elements and portions of such masses, the mounting member having an internal peripheral slot within such opening for slidably receiving the electrode plate. The opening and the slot having a sufficiently loose fit with the piezoelectric elements, the masses and the electrode plate to obviate any substantial damping of ultrasonic vibrations. The transducer may be driven by a circuit comprising a solid state amplifier having input and output connections, a driver transformer having a primary winding connected to such output connection and a secondary winding connected to the electrodes of the piezoelectric transducer, a feedback transformer having a secondary winding connected to such input connection of the amplifier, and a primary winding connected to such electrodes through a phase shifting circuit.

Ultrasonic humidifiers, atomizers and the like

The cueing device, to facilitate the operation of bringing the stylus of a phonograph pickup into engagement with a selected unrecorded zone of a phonograph record, so that the next recorded zone will be played, may include a light source mounted on the pickup for providing a light beam to be reflected from the face of the record to a photoelectric device on the pickup. A utilization device, preferably including a visual signal mounted on the pickup, is operated when the reflected light beam is received by the photoelectric device from the unrecorded zones. The light source, the photoelectric device and the light path therebetween are preferably mounted in a transverse perpendicular plane, transverse to the record grooves and generally perpendicular to the record face. The light reflected by the unrecorded zones is given a polarization in a plane transverse to such transverse perpendicular plane. A polarized light transmitting device, such as means forming a slit, is preferably mounted on the pickup between the record and the photoelectric device and is oriented to favor the transmission of the light polarized by the reflection from the unrecorded zones. The slit may have its longer dimension transverse to the plane of the light path. This construction produces an increased change in the photoelectric signal when the light beam makes a transition between recorded and unrecorded zones.

Cueing device for phonographs

An ultrasonic piezoelectric device is disclosed, comprising a piezoelectric transducer having at least one piezoelectric element having a pair of electrodes on opposite sides of the element, a solid-state amplifier having input and output connections, a driver transformer having a primary winding connected to said output connection of the solid-state amplifier, the driver transformer having a secondary winding connected to the electrodes of the piezoelectric transducer, a feedback transformer having a secondary winding connected to the input connection of the solid-state amplifier, the feedback transformer having a primary winding, and a phase shifting circuit connected between the primary winding of the feedback transformer and the electrodes of the piezoelectric transducer.

Growing community of inventors

Grayslake, IL, United States of America

Benton A Durley, Iii