Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Ronald E Kukla

Scott G Safar

Charles Michael Galitz

Julius J Toth

Eric B Shain

Michael G Lowery

Stephen L Herchenbach

Chadwick M Dunn

Folim G Halaka

John M Clemens

Robert W Jaekel

Gary L Zuck

Robert C Gray

Steve Herchenbach

Russell L Sage

Curtis J Pepe

John David Tomisek

Mark C Bach

Mark Pierce

Michael K Carter

Daniel Bay

Daniel G Dahlke

Shahin Iqbal

Michael Lowrey

Stephen Herchenbach

A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.

Apparatus and method for handling fluids for analysis

A method and apparatus of the present invention determines whether zero, one, or a plurality of microscope slide coverslips are about to be applied to a microscope slide. Light, such as ultraviolet light, may be directed toward a coverslip testing region, in which a number of coverslips reside. The amount of light passing through the coverslip testing region is collected and measured. Based on the measured amount, the method and apparatus determine the number of coverslips present in the coverslip testing region.

Method and apparatus for detecting microscope slide coverslips

An apparatus and method for determining the level of liquid in a container in an analytical instrument, typically an automated analytical instrument in a laboratory. The apparatus comprises:

Liquid level sensor

A method of performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample using a single structure is disclosed. A sample is provided accessible to the single structure. A first container for processing the sample is placed in a first process path on the single structure. The sample is transferred to the first container in the first process path. A reagent is added to the first container in the first process path. Contents of the first container is mixed in the first process path. The item of interest in the sample is separated from the contents of the first container in the first process path. The separated item of interest in the sample is transferred from the first container in the first process path to a second container in a second process path on the single structure. Contents of the second container is brought to a first temperature different from a temperature of the first process path in the second process path. The item of interest in the second container is detected in the second process path.

Structure and method for performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample

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Wheeling, IL, United States of America

Ronald E Kukla