Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Larry E Moore

William J Kanewske, Iii

David A Yost

Frederic L Clark

James E Mitchell

Richard R Martin

Apparao Tayi

Peter A Lagocki

B Jane Smith

James A Vaught

Kendall B Hendrick

Charles D Pennington

Edna S Walker

Gilbert Clift

Richard L Vickstrom

William J Raymoure

Gibert Clift

A method for modifiying a liquid assay reagent to provide prolonged homogeneity thereof, particularly where the liquid assay reagent comprises microparticles for performing a heterogeneous immunoassay, is provided wherein the addition of an inert material to a liquid assay reagent achieves neutral density to thereby prolong the homogeneity thereof for extended periods of time. A method for the automated agitation of assay reagents to maintain the homogeneity thereof with an automated, continuous and random access analytical instrument is also provided. The automated mixing is accomplished by a back and forth motion of a carousel onto which assay reagent containers or packs are mounted with asymmetric pauses which can be completed within a short period of time. The carousel acceleration, velocity, distance moved, and pause-asymmetry are optimized to provide rapid assay reagent resuspension without foaming or bubble formation. Accordingly, periodic removal of assay reagent packs by an operator in order to mix the reagents is not necessary.

Methods for providing homogeneous reagents

A plastic assay cuvette having the desired optical properties for the analysis of a test sample or reaction mixture thereof, and a method for making such plastic assay cuvette, are described. The optical properties of the plastic assay cuvette are substantially the same as the optical properties of glass wherein low birefringence throughout the optical read region thereof is provided. When used for the analysis of a test sample or reaction mixture thereof, such as in fluorescence polarization assays and absorbance assays, the plastic assay cuvette provides accurate and reproducible results while, at the same time, provides a low-cost disposable assay cuvette which can be used in place of conventional glass assay cuvettes.

Injection molding a plastic assay cuvette having low birefringence

Personal care products vending machine

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Larry E Moore