Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispensing apparatus that accurately dispenses fluids to a predetermined position at a low cost and effectively. SOLUTION: A pin support assembly 30 includes a pin support frame 32 having a plurality of holes for supporting an array of pins 34 for dispensing the fluids. The pins 34 are supported for longitudinal or "floating" movement to prevent damage to the pins. An actuation assembly 36 engages an end of each of the pins to ensure that the pins are properly seated in the support frame 32 in a planar fashion. The actuation assembly 36 engages the pins as the pins relatively move toward a head block 26 and disengages the pins as the pins relatively move away from the head block. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for detecting a metabolic disorder in an individual. SOLUTION: The method for detecting the metabolic disorder, includes following steps: (a) contacting a sample containing (1) one or more metabolically indicative enzymes and (2) one or more metabolic analytes, with one or more substrates for the one or more enzymes to produce a reaction admixture, under conditions in which at least one of the enzymes can act on a corresponding substrate to generate at least one product; (b) contacting the reaction admixture with a reagent which inhibits the ability of the one or more enzymes to act on a corresponding substrate, in which the one or more metabolic analytes and the at least one product are soluble in the reagent, and to produce a test sample; and (c) determining the presence or amount of the one or more metabolic analytes and the at least one product contained in the test sample using mass spectrometry, in which a determined presence or amount of the one or more metabolic analytes and the at least one product correlates with presence or absence of the metabolic disorder. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus in which a multipole ion guide is configured to efficiently transport ions through multiple vacuum stages, while preventing background particles produced both in an ion source and along an ion transport pathway from reaching a detector to thereby improve signal-to-noise in mass spectra.SOLUTION: The RF multipole ion guide extends in a multiple vacuum pumping stage vacuum system continuously through one or more vacuum partitions between an upstream region (farther from the mass analyzer detector) of higher gas pressure and a downstream region of lower gas pressure. The ion guide is configured with an axis curved with respect to the direction of an ion beam and to prevent any line of sight between an upstream ion source region, as well as any or all higher pressure regions in which collisions between ions and background gas molecules occur, and the mass analyzer detector.