Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Steven G Schultz

Charles Michael Galitz

James T Holen

Benton A Durley, Iii

Ted J Hanagan

John M Brackett

Thomas G Spring

Edmund T Marciniec

Kenneth S Johnson

Jay R Ford

Lance K Safford

Sheila A Vogdes

John D Norlie, Jr

The present invention provides an immobilization medium which can immobilize bioreagents to support materials and which dries to a water resistant layer or film. The immobilization medium comprises (i) a liquid or fluid binding reagent and (ii) complexes of a bioreagent immobilized to a solid phase which are evenly dispersed within the binding reagent. The suspension can further include supplemental ingredients evenly dispersed throughout the medium which can provide the medium with electrochemical properties, enhance the stability of the immobilized bioreagent and/or improve the medium's capability of drying to a substantially water resistant or insoluble layer. The immobilization medium provided by the instant invention is in the form of a homogeneous liquid suspension.

Bioreagent immobilization medium

The present invention provides a diagnostic flow cell for determining the presence or amount of an analyte which may be contained in a test sample. The flow cell comprises a spacing layer having a longitudinal void disposed between a pair of opposed substrates. The spacing layer and the opposed substrates define a flow channel wherein reagent means can be immobilized. When the immobilized reagent means is contacted with an analyte, the reagent means can produce an electrically, optically, or electrically and optically detectable response to the analyte. Hence, the reagent means that is immobilized within the flow channel can comprise (i) a counter electrode, a reference electrode and a working electrode, (ii) an optically sensitive dye or (iii) a counter electrode, a reference electrode and a working electrode and an optically sensitive dye. The flow cell can be interfaced with means for introducing a test sample into and out of the flow cell's flow channel and detection means for detecting a signal generated by the immobilized reagent means. The present invention also provides methods for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte which may be contained in a test sample.

Diagnostic flow cell device

An improved ISE is provided for measuring the concentration of an electrolyte in a sample in a centrifuge-type analyzer utilizing a multichamber test pack. The reference cell and sensor cell of the ISE are each comprised of an electrode, fill solution, housing and membrane in a fully self-contained configuration. Each cell is of sufficiently small size to fit in the test pack. The electrode of each cell is provided with screw threads to allow each cell to be screwed directly into the test pack thereby securing the cell to the test pack and at the same time providing a convenient electrical contact to the readout electronics of the test pack. With the present design manipulation of the ISE sensor output voltage can be achieved by varying the known ion concentration of the fill solution. Also provided is a novel method of introducing a fill solution into the cell after all of the cell components are in place.

Flow-through electrochemical sensor

A miniaturized reference electrode includes a dielectric thermoplastic cup having a cavity to hold a reference liquid solution and having a sample contacting orifice at one end. A membrane comprising cellulose acetate and a solvent capable of exerting a solvent action on the sidewalls of the cup orifice is drop deposited in the orifice and cured in situ. The resulting membrane extends across the orifice and is interdigitatedly anchored to the orifice sidewalls. The reference electrode further includes an Ag/AgCl screw-in electrode machined from silver rod extending into and hermetically sealing the cup cavity. A reference liquid fill solution having a chloride ion and potassium ion concentration similar to that found in the samples to be tested and the storage soak solution is provided to minimize drift of reference potential. The miniature reference electrode is intended for use with a miniaturized ISE half cell in a test cartridge on a centrifugal clinical analyzer to determine electrolyte concentrations in fluid samples.

Reference electrode and method of making it

A heating system for heating a rapidly rotating article, including a strobe capable of emitting radiant energy and positioned to radiate energy onto the article, a light source positioned to illuminate a temperature-sensing means on the article, a light detector to measure changes in the light reflected by the temperature-sensor and a control device to energize the strobe in response to reflected light from the detector.

Heating system for rotating members

An improved spectrophotometer, especially suitable for use in centrifugal analysis instrumentation, is disclosed. The spectrophotometer is improved by including therein a detector comprising a photodiode array assembly having a photodiode array, a spectral filter assembly situated substantially parallel thereto and in the path of incident light and means for attenuating stray light which would otherwise impinge on each of the photodiodes of the array.

Spectrophotometer

Apparatus for generating centrifugal forces, preferably used in carrying out chemical testing, which includes counterweight means on a rotating plate of the apparatus to automatically balance the rotating plate wherein the counterweight means is displaced in response to centrifugal force and can automatically adjust for the weight, mass or absence of a sample processor card placed in a holding means which is free to rotate independently of plate member.

Automatic centrifugal balancing mechanism

A heating system for heating a rapidly rotating article, including strobe means capable of emitting radiant energy and positioned to radiate energy onto the article, a light source positioned to illuminate a temperature-sensing means on the article, light detector means to measure changes in the light reflected by the temperature-sensing means and control means to energize the strobe means in response to reflected light from the detector means.

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Winthrop Harbor, IL, United States of America

Steven G Schultz