摘要:
A method and apparatus for analyzing a fluid sample. More particularly, this relates to a specimen analysis tube (2) for containing the specimen (12) sample and to a method of drawing the specimen sample (12) into the tube (2) by capillary action. When the sample (12) is drawn into the tube (2), air is expelled from the tube (2) in the direction which is counter to the flow of the sample (12) into the tube (2). The tube (2) can be U-shaped or it can be linear and can be disposed in a closed-ended holder (22) that is operative to vent air from the tube (2) in a direction which is counter to the direction of flow of the sample into the tube (2).
摘要:
A urine sample is analyzed for urine chemistry, formed bodies, and rare event evidence, all in a single sample container and under low power magnification. The sample container includes a urine sample receiving chamber which is connected to a urine chemistry chamber, to a formed body isolation chamber, and to a rare events detection chamber, so that the urine can flow from the receiving chamber to the other three chambers. The scanning instrument will scan the isolation chamber and can identify formed bodies by their characteristic light wave emission properties which result from the formed bodies exposure to the stains. The formed bodies can also be morphologically examined in the isolation chamber. The rare event detection chamber will include a component which will absorb essentially all of the water in the urine thus concentrating formed bodies on a surface in the chamber. This chamber can also be provided with one or more stains which will differentially highlight any rare events noted in the chamber by the scanning instrument. Rare events such as casts can be detected in this chamber.
摘要:
In most mammals studied, a histogram of the erythrocytes' density of a healthy individual normally has a Gaussian distribution. Gaussian or near-Gaussian distributions may be characterized by their mean, by their standard deviation, and their absence of skewness. A measurement of the erythrocyte density distribution (EDD) in mammalian whole blood which has been anticoagulated with heparin can yield information which is indicative of certain physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions that are characterized by various EDD abnormalities. These abnormalities may include abnormalities in the standard deviation of the EDD; the mean erythrocyte density; and any skewness of the EDD curve. The hematocrit or percent packed red cell volume, which is obtained at the same time as the EDD can also yield information. The EDD measurement is made by providing a sample of heparin anticoagulated whole mammalian blood to which is added a plurality of density markers having known individual specific gravities that are within the range of specific gravity values of mammalian erythrocytes. The blood sample-density marker mixture is centrifuged, and measurements are taken of the location of the density markers within the centrifuged erythrocyte cell pack. These measurements are analyzed to determine the standard deviation of the EDD in the sample; the mean erythrocyte density in the sample; the hematocrit value of the sample; and any skewness in the EDD curve in the sample. The resultant data is compared to empirical data obtained from patient populations with known normal and abnormal medical histories in order to determine whether there is any variation from norm of one or more of the parameters measured which are characteristic of abnormal medical conditions. Alternatively since an erythrocyte's hemoglobin concentration (HC) is the main determinant of an ethrocyte's density, HC measured on a cell counter that determines each erythrocyte's HC may be used as a surrogate for erythrocyte density. Suitable cell counters can also derive HCT from a blood sample.
摘要:
A patient's health may be diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more bodies or groups of bodies such as floats, inserts, liposomes, or plastic beads of different densities. Each density-defined body carries analyte-capture binding materials such as antigens or antibodies, which are specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on a target analyte which target analyte may be in the blood or other sample being tested; and the level of which analyte is indicative of the patient's health. At least one labeled binding material which is also specific to an epitope, or other specific high affinity binding site on the target analyte is added to the sample so as to form labeled binding material/analyte/body complexes in the sample. Upon centrifugation, the complexes will settle out in different areas in the tube according to the respective density of the body or bodies; and the degree of label emission of the complex layers can enable qualitative and/or quantitative analyses of the sample to be made. Unbound labeled binding materials will be separated from the complexed layers by the washing action of ascending or descending components of the sample during the centrifugation step. Unbound labeled binding material will thus not interfere with the analysis.
摘要:
A patient's health is diagnosed by centrifuging blood samples in a transparent tube, which tube contains one or more groups of particles such as lyposomes or plastic beads of different densities for each group. Each group of density-defined particles carries antigens or antibodies which are specific to a complement antigen or antibody which may be in the blood sample being tested, and which are indicative of the patient's health. A label-tagged antibody which is specific to all bound antibody/antigen couples is added to the blood sample so as to form labelled antibody+antigen-antibody complexes (AAAC) in the blood sample. Upon centrifugation, the complexed particles will settle out in different areas in the tube according to the respective density of the particles, and the degree of label emission of the particle layers can enable qualitative or quantitative analyses of the blood sample to be made. Unbound labelled antibodies will be washed away from the complexed layers by the washing action of the descending blood cells during the centrifugation step. Unbound labelled antibodies will thus not interfere with the analysis.
摘要:
The specification discloses a method for enhancing the reliability of screening tests used for detecting the presence or absence of chemical markers associated with gastrointestinal cancer. The method comprises the steps of providing a laxative purge for administration to a patient, collecting a watery fecal sample and then applying the watery fecal sample to a test medium having an indicator to indicate the presence of chemical markers associated with gastrointestinal cancer, if there. Two alternative methods are suggested for obtaining a watery fecal sample. In a first embodiment, the purge is administered to the patient following a recent bowel movement and the first watery post-purge bowel movement is collected. In a second embodiment, the purge is administered to the patient, the first post-purge bowel movement is discarded and the second watery post-purge bowel movement is collected.
摘要:
The specification discloses a fecal occult blood test device capable of determining whether the blood found during the test originated in the upper or lower gastrointestinal track. A fecal sample is applied to a test medium charged to be differentially attractive to blood components originating in the upper and lower gastrointestinal track respectively. A solvent is applied to the test specimen to cause differential migration of the blood components and an indicator is then applied to indicate the presence of the blood components, if any.
摘要:
The device is used in the same way as toilet tissue to obtain a stool sample for occult blood testing on a receptor sheet included in the device. The receptor sheet is preimpregnated with guaiac or other suitable reagent. A performance/control monitor is included in the device and is kept separated and spaced apart from the receptor sheet until after the stool sample is obtained. Once the stool sample is obtained, the performance/control monitor is brought into and retained in face-to-face contact with the receptor sheet. Upon return to the physician, the developer reagent is applied to the receptor sheet in the area of the stool and in the area of the monitor. Maintaining the monitor out of contact with the receptor sheet until the stool sample is taken prevents the occurrence of a false positive monitor reaction, which can happen when there is extended contact between the monitor and the reagent impregnated receptor sheet.
摘要:
A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O.D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume. A correction factor is thus obtained and applied to all of the other constituent layers which were measured. The band thus forms a varying reference which reflects the actual volume of the annulus.
摘要:
A device which is circumferentially affixed to a flaccid penis about the proximal portion of the shaft thereof prior to retiring at night. The device is in the form of a band of material which includes an expandable portion which will not retract once expanded. In the event of a nocturnal erection, the device will expand in response to circumferential enlargement of the penis which occurs during the erection. The expanded device is retrieved upon arising in the morning and is dispatched to one's physician for analysis.