Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Other

Biotope, Inc.

Gerald L Klein

James C Sternberg

Fu-Tai A Chen

Cheng-Ming Liu

Richard C Meyer

Richard A Fine

Hann-Ping Wang

Steven P Katzmann

You-Zung Hsieh

Wayne S Johnson

You-Zung Hseih

Frank L Waska

John T Kingsley

Gary A Miller

A method and apparatus for displaying capillary electrophoresis data wherein absorbance with respect to time is related to graphic values within a graphic range or scale of values and selected graphic values are displayed with respect to time. The selected graphic values may comprise a range hues, color saturation and/or brightness or may represent a monochromatic scale. The resulting representation may be horizontally aligned with the corresponding electrophoretogram absorbance values to provide both a quantitative value (electrophoretogram absorbance values) and qualitative (graphic stripe) display.

Method and apparatus for displaying capillary electrophoresis data

An automated patient sample analysis instrument uses assay cartridges which are pre-loaded with all reactants needed to perform an assay. Photometric measurements are performed on the cartridges while spinning at variable speeds in a centrifuge. Both axial and transverse measurements can be made on the cartridges. Multiple optical channels can be read by single detector. The instrument is well suited for low volume and for use by unskilled individuals. The photometric measurements are made by dividing the width of a measurement window into n intervals, measuring an optical result in one of the n intervals in each of n rotations of the cartridge, repeating the measurement process x times, summing or averaging the x results for each of the n intervals and selecting y of the largest resultant averaged or summed measurements as representative of the maximum measurement for the window.

Method for measuring specific binding assays

An automated multi-channel capillary electrophoresis analyzer includes a plurality of capillaries having first and second ends. The first ends of the capillaries are adapted to be collectively transported to and from selected reagent reservoirs. The second ends of the capillaries are removably and sealable retained within a common manifold that is in turn in selectable fluid communication with selected reagents and a vacuum source.

Multi-channel automated capillary electrophoresis analyzer

Detecting light in a capillary electrophoresis optical system includes input and output windows in the outside surface of a capillary tube. The width of the windows is not substantially greater than the bore of the tube. A fiber optic input is spaced from the capillary tube so that the light is directed to the tube and is matched to the window width. The light output from the tube is matched to be received by a fiber optic output spaced from the capillary tube. The optical light envelop from the fiber input through the tube and to the fiber output is governed by the LaGrange Invariant. The matching is effected in accordance with the Numerical Aperture of the fiber optics.

Capillary electrophoresis detection

A capillary electrophoresis detector assembly including a separation column in which the components of a mixed sample are separated; an exit column which completes the connection to the terminal buffer reservoir; and a support sleeve which includes precisely positioned radial bores therethrough to allow insertion of optical fibers in the form of an input fiber which transmits the incoming radiation from an illumination source and an exit fiber which receives the radiation and relays same to a detector. In fabricating the assembly, a precision wire is partially inserted into the output end of the separation column. The column/wire combination is inserted into one end of the sleeve. The exit column is threaded onto the precision wire and also inserted into the opposite end of the sleeve. The input and exit fibers are inserted into the radial bores in the sleeve until they touch the precision wire in opposition. Thus, the precision wire serves to establish the spacing between the optical fibers (as determined by the diameter of the wire). This technique affords a known, reproducible, optical path distance between the ends of the fibers. The capillary columns are further slide into the sleeve until they touch the optical fibers. The assembly of the sleeve and fibers is then bonded together whereupon the precision wire is removed.

Fiber optic flow cell for detection of electrophoresis separation with a

Disclosed herein is a methodology for analyzing isoenzymes using capillary zone electrophoresis ('CZE') techniques. Briefly, an isoenzyme-containing sample and a substrate capable of being catalyzed by said isoenzyme into a reaction product are introduced into a capillary column comprising a buffer. Most preferably, the buffer contains the substrate prior to introduction of the sample into such substrate-buffer. CZE separation techniques are applied to the column such that the isoenzymes are separated from each other into discrete zones. The separation techniques are terminated such that product is rapidly generated by the catalytic conversion of substrate by the isoenzymes, and accumulated, within each discrete zone, followed by detection of product. Information regarding the relative distribution of the isoenzymes can be derived from the relative distribution of the product.

Capillary zone electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes

Disclosed herein are methodologies for the Capillary Electrophoretic Immunosubtraction ('CEI') of samples. In a preferred embodiment, CEI of a sample comprising constituent parts to be separated comprises the steps of: (1) separating a first aliquot of the sample into constituent parts by capillary electrophoretic techniques, and detecting said parts; (2) admixing a second aliquot of said sample with at least one specific binding partner to a constituent of said sample, said specific binding partner capable of being substantially removed from said aliquot; (3) separating said second aliquot into constituent parts by capillary electrophoretic techniques and detecting said parts; and (4) comparing the separated constituent parts of step (3) with the separated constituent parts of step (1).

Analysis of samples by capillary electrophoretic immunosubtraction

A modular reaction cassette has a fluid metering mechanism and valves for releasing fluid which are actuated by various centripetal acellerations generated in an automated patient analysis instrument having a variable speed rotor. Various geometries and sealant materials are used to select the rotational speed at which the sealant material yields to operate the metering device and release valves.

Biological assay cassette and method for making same

An automated pipette employing a device to ensure exact volume pickup and delivery. An optical device senses the presence of a liquid in the tip of the pipette. By intaking the volume past the optical device stream continuity is determined.

Method and apparatus ensuring full volume pickup in an automated pipette

A nephelometer including an optical excitation system for directing light through a first window area into a cylindrical glass container and an optical detection system for quantitatively monitoring light scattered by a substance within the container and passing therefrom through a second window area. The optical detection system includes a lens system in optical alignment with the second window area and focused on an optical dark region on an inner wall of the container opposite the second window area. The optical dark region is free of internal light reflections. Therefore, the light monitored by the detection system is scattered light from the substance substantially free of internal light reflections representing background error.

Nephelometer with detection system focused on optical dark region

A standard for calibrating a densitometer or the like is disclosed consisting of an optically transparent substrate supporting a plurality of spaced bands of different predetermined optical densities. Each band comprises alternate dark and clear strips and is sized to eclipse a beam of light generated in the densitometer and defining an illuminated zone. The width of the clear strips is large compared to the wavelength of the light beam and small compared to the width of the illuminated zone so that the quantities of light passing through the bands as the standard moves through the densitometer, and hence the optical densities of the bands, are directly proportional to the ratio of the areas of the clear strips to the areas of the dark strips in the bands. The bands are placed at an angle to the scan axis of the illuminated zone to present a gradient change in optical density to a scanning densitometer which is within the response time thereof. Additionally, the strips in each band are at an angle to the scan axis to pass across the illuminated zone with an apparent sweeping motion to average out any optical or illumination irregularities across the zone.

Densitometer calibrated reference standard

A fluorometer for analyzing a sample by detecting light induced radiation emitted from the sample including apparatus for generating a narrow slit of light in the plane of the sample and transfer apparatus including a light shield having an acutely angled port immediately adjacent the sample for collecting radiation emitted by the sample and transmitting same via a light pipe to a remote detector.

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Orange, CA, United States of America

Gerald L Klein