Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Carlton D Deaton

Herbert Goldsmith

Rodolfo R Rodriguez

Eugene K Achter

Ralph M Owen

Richard Mencarini

Douglas P Stockdale

Horton E Dorman

The modular chemical analysis system includes a first module or sample preparation apparatus for preparing sample solutions, a second module including a nephelometer apparatus comprising a stationary flow cell, mechanisms for moving sample solutions into and out of the flow cell, light generating means for passing light through the flow cell, electric circuitry for sensing the relative light scattered (R.L.S.) by the solution or particles in the solution in the flow cell and a third module comprising a microprocessing/calculator having a tape cartridge program. The microprocessor is coupled to the nephelometer apparatus (and, if desired, is also coupled to the sample preparation apparatus) for controlling operation of the nephelometer apparatus (and, if desired, to control the sample preparation apparatus). Also, the output from the nephelometer apparatus is coupled to the microprocessor which receives R.L.S. values and known concentration values for some solutions from which R.L.S. values were obtained. The microprocessor then calculates curve fit parameters for a polynomial regression curve equation, performs a Newton-Raphson inversion on the equation and calculated parameters to automatically calculate concentration values for R.L.S. values obtained from unknown test solutions thereby to obtain calculated concentration values from R.L.S. measurements.

Modular chemical analysis system

Immunological assaying methods which require insolubilization of an antigen-antibody complex as an integral step thereof are improved by adding to the test medium in which insolubilization is desired an aqueous reagent solution containing from about 3 to 6% by weight of a mixture of polyethylene glycol and a nonionic surfactant, and which solution has a calculated HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic-Balance) of about 0.7 to 1.7. This solution increases the insolubilization of the antigen-antibody complex with reduced incubation times, and produces an assay procedure of greater test range and sensitivity. A preferred embodiment involves usage in a nephelometric analysis.

Immunological reagent and method of using same

A rack assembly comprising mounting means for containers, e.g., test tubes, a lid spaced from said mounting means which cooperates with orifices in the containers, a flexible sealing sheet for sealing the orifices interposed between the lid and mounting means, and means for spacing the lid from the mounting means and for gripping the sealing sheet. Containers are inserted in the mounting means. The sheet is then placed over the containers, and the lid in turn placed over the sheet so that the sheet seals the container orifices as the containers are maintained in substantially fixed position by the mounting means. By agitating the rack assembly the containers held therein are also shaken. The rack assembly is easily re-used by stripping off and discarding the sealing sheet.

Method and device for racking and sealing containers

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Garden Grove, CA, United States of America

Carlton D Deaton