Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Kurt M Klosterman

James L Dempski

Paul A Matuszewski

Omar S Khalil

Jose Pioquinto

Ganesh Rajagopal

Randall E Youngs

Noman A Abunimeh

Jeffrey W Stewart

Jeffrey R Swanson

David M Tipotsch

Larry R Jibson

Dinesh O Shah

Tarun Chandra

Example apparatus and methods for use in normalization of testing machines used to test samples in vessels are disclosed. An example apparatus includes verification source and a photon emitter positioned in the verification source. The example photon emitter includes a Csource, a scintillator adjacent to the Csource, and a filter adjacent to the scintillator. The example photon emitter is to emit photons through the filter for detection by a photon counter.

Device for use in normalizing readings on a testing machine

An apparatus for improving the procedure for quantifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instrument. The apparatus of this invention comprises (a) at least one weigh cup; (b) at least one standard mass; (c) at least one transducer assembly to convert a value of weight to an electrical response; and (d) at least one electronic circuit for converting the electrical response to a measurement of volume. This invention provides a method for calibrating readings of the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism of an analytical instruments so that absolute measurements of the volume of liquid dispensed can be obtained.

Apparatus and method for verifying the volume of liquid dispensed by a liquid-dispensing mechanism

An example optic module verification device for use in periodic normalization of a testing machine used to test samples in wells is disclosed. The example testing machine includes a plurality of photon counters that each count photons emitted from different wells. The example verification device includes a plurality of verification wells located so as to each be associated with one of the photon counters when used in the testing machine. The example device also includes a photon emitter in each verification well, each photon emitter including a Csource, a scintillator adjacent the Csource, and a filter over the scintillator. The example photon emitters each have a determined initial base value for emitted photons, and each photon emitter is positioned in its verification well to emit photons through the filter to the associated photon counter when used in the testing machine.

An optic module verification device for normalizing between X photon counters, including a verification tray with X verification wells and a modular photon emitter in each verification well. Each photon emitter includes a spring, a Beta source disk, a scintillator disk adjacent the Beta source disk, and a neutral density filter over the scintillator disk, all of which are encapsulated in a cylindrical chamber with the filter adjacent an opening on one end of the chamber and the spring biasing the Beta source disk and the scintillator disk toward the opening. The device is periodically used for normalization, and may be updated when emitted photons fall below a desired level by replacing the scintillator disk and then determining a new normalized reference values for each photon emitter.

Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatuses for thermally controlling an instrument. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a heater and a source of electrical energy electrically connected with the heater for energizing the heater to produce thermal energy. A driver is electrically connected with the heater and the source of electrical energy for controlling application of electrical energy to the heater. A sensor is electrically connected with the heater for detecting thermal energy produced by the heater responsive to the electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. A controller is electrically connected with the driver and the sensor for controlling production of thermal energy by the heater responsive to electrical energy from the source of electrical energy. Another embodiment provides a method in which a heater is electrically connected with a relatively reduced thermal energy reference resistor. An amplifier operatively associated with the heater slews to a relatively reduced thermal energy value which is recorded in memory. An algorithm controlling the heater is updated. The heater is electrically connected with a detector for sensing thermal energy produced by the heater. The amplifier slews to a value associated with the detector.

Thermal control apparatus and method

Embodiments of the invention provide methods of preparing an activated acridinium microparticle. Generally, the methods involve direct covalent coupling or an affinity format. The direct covalent coupling method involves coating a microparticle with a proteinaceous compound. Then, a 10-methyl-N-tosyl-N-(2-carboxyethyl)-9-acridinium carboximide trifluoromethane sulfonate is coupled to the proteinaceous compound. In the affinity format, a microparticle is coated with a biotinylated proteinaceous compound. The microparticle is reacted with an anti-biotin labelled 10-methyl-N-tosyl-N-(2-carboxyethyl)-9-acridinium carboximide trifluoromethane sulfonate. Methods are also provided for using such a microparticle. Those methods of use can estimate transfer efficiency, calibrate optics, and measure membrane pore size of a chemiluminescence based instrument. Test elements for analytical instruments are also provided.

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Gurnee, IL, United States of America

Kurt M Klosterman