Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Tung-Ming Huang

Robert G Hiltibran

Sie Ting Wong

Thomas G Schapira

Mark R Pope

Robert C Hollar

Michael G Lowery

David Dean Cunningham

Jeffrey Y Pan

John J Kotlarik

Neil W Loomis

John P Grace

Brian Joseph Tarkowski

Alan J Alcock

Pete M Bojan

Daniel P Schmidt

Karen A Egan

Kristin M Noonan

Eric B Shain

Douglas F Young

James T Holen

Enrique Hicaro, Jr

Carl W Merkh

Donald Ver Lee

Brenda B Calfin

Caryn G Putterman

Conan K Li

James D Gates

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

Apparatus and method for the collection of interstitial fluids

Diagnostic assay for a sample of biological fluid

An article and a method for monitoring the concentration of glucose in blood. In one aspect, the invention involves an article comprising a multiple-layer element utilizing reagents capable of reacting with an analyte of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the element comprises:

Diagnostic assay requiring a small sample of biological fluid

Embodiments disclosed involve methods and constructions for metering, and in some instances combining, fluids. One such method includes fluidly connecting a source of first fluid to be metered with a pressure source capable of moving the first fluid with a first valve and a conduit. The first valve is operated such that first fluid moves in the conduit. The conduit is fluidly connected with a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with a second valve. The second valve is operated such that the second fluid moves into the conduit. One construction for metering a fluid comprises a source of first fluid to be metered, a pressure source for moving the first fluid to be metered, and a first valve. A conduit fluidly connects the source of first fluid, the pressure source for moving the first fluid and the first valve such that operation of the first valve causes movement of the first fluid responsive to the pressure source. A second valve fluidly connects a source of second fluid that has a fluid flow rate greater than the first fluid with the conduit such that operation of the second valve causes movement of the second fluid into the conduit.

Method and apparatus for metering a fluid

Embodiments described herein provide a valve construction. One embodiment comprises a first valve and a second valve. A first fluid conveying conduit fluidly conveying a first fluid is fluidly connected with the first valve. A second fluid conveying conduit fluidly conveying a second fluid is fluidly connected with the second valve. A third fluid conveying conduit is fluidly connected with the first valve and the second valve. The first valve is movable between a first position where first fluid flows between the first fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit, and a second position where first fluid does not flow between the first fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit. The second valve is movable between a first position where the second fluid flows between the second fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit, and a second position where the second fluid does not flow between the second fluid conveying conduit and the third fluid conveying conduit.

Valve construction and method of use

A semi-automated biological sample analyzer and subsystems are provided to simultaneously perform a plurality of enzyme immuno assays for human IgE class antibodies specific to a panel of preselected allergens in each of a plurality of biological samples. A carousel is provided to position and hold a plurality of reaction cartridges. Each reaction cartridge includes a plurality of isolated test sites formed in a two dimensional array in a solid phase binding layer contained within a reaction well which is adapted to contain a biological sample to be assayed. The carousel and cartridges contain structures which cooperate to precisely position the cartridges in each of three separate dimensions so that each cartridge is positioned uniformly. An optical reader operating on a principle of diffuse reflectance is provided to read the results of the assays from each test site of each cartridge. Also provided is a subsystem which provides predetermined lot-specific assay calibration data which is useful for normalizing the results of various assays with respect to predetermined common standard values.

Reaction cartridge and carousel for biological sample analyzer

Improvements in apparatus for performing an assay to determine the presence or amount of a substance in a test sample, which apparatus comprises means for dispensing one or more reagents from containment means therefor into a reaction vessel and means for dispensing the sample from a sample container into said vessel for reaction with the reagents during performance of the assay, are disclosed. The improvements reside in the apparatus further comprising containment means for the reagents integral and in combination with the sample container and the reaction vessel.

Unitized reagent containment system for clinical analyzer

Fluid container or the like

Reagent cassette

Sample cup

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo Grove, IL, United States of America

Tung-Ming Huang