Apparatus for performing determinations of immune reactants in

Abstract

Apparatus for performing determinations of immune reactants (e.g., antigens, antibodies) in bodily fluids includes multiple test units having respective elongated rods with transversely-expanded tips at their distal ends. The tips are each coated with respective immune reactants (e.g., allergens of the type which react in a known manner with respective allergen-specific or allergen-binding antibodies in human serum. The test units are color-coded. By correlating the color code to a chart, the specific immune reactant (e.g., allergen) coating can be easily identified. The supporting strip for the test unit has through-holes which frictionally engage the proximal ends of the test unit rods with a spacing that permits all of the supported test units to be simultaneously inserted into an assembly of reaction containers arranged in a linear array. The through-hole spacing in the strip permits alternate test units to be simultaneously placed in an array of test tubes that are transversely larger than the reaction containers and supported in a linear array in a test tube rack. The tip of each test unit may take the form of two frusto-conical joined by a short cylindrical section extending longitudinally beween their larger ends. The frusto-conical sections may be multi-faceted to minimize scraping of the allergen coating from the tip during insertion and removal of the test units into the reaction containers/test tubes.