Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device and method for the detection of mastitis or other disease from a body fluid of a mammal for example from cow's milk. The device and method relates to a wedge microfluidic chamber for using a minimal amount of fluid and being able to use the device to observe leukocytes in a mono-layer for the purpose of disease detection, cell counts or the like.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for predicting outcome and evaluation of clusters. Particularly the invention relates to a method of determining deviation and predict future out comes of clusters with certain attributes. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to epidemic outbreaks of disease and, more particularly, to a method for predicting the spread thereof.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an leucocyte antigen mediated microfluidic assay and a microfluidic device for analyzing a subjects' body fluids containing leucocytes to determine if the subject has been previously exposed to a predetermined antigen.
Abstract:
A fluid transfer mechanism for rapidly and accurately picking up or aspirating a fluid quantity or aliquot in one position, moving it to a second position and dispensing the aspirated aliquot. The mechanism includes an arm mounted on a high helix shaft on one end and driven up and down the shaft by a first motor and rotated around the shaft by a second motor. The arm includes at a second end a fluid transfer probe which is moved into and out of the fluids to aspirate and dispense the fluids in precise angular locations. The arm may be accelerated and deaccelerated as it is rotated to avoid vibrations and spilling of the fluid from the probe. The probe may include a level sensing structure for sensing when the probe has contacted a fluid surface. The probe also may be coupled to an oscillator to oscillate the probe in a vessel into which the fluid has been dispensed to mix the fluids therein.
Abstract:
An improved nephelometer for immunochemical complex assay measures forward light scatter in samples. The angle of forward scatter, about 30.degree., is small enough to result in a large amount of forward scatter from the immunochemical complex particles which are to be assayed, whose size is of the order of the wave length of the light used in the optical system. Forward scattering from smaller particles, such as from molecules of buffer, antibody and serum, is constant during the course of a test, and is compensated for by the use of subtraction circuits which are readily and semiautomatically adjusted to subtract proper values, in accordance with the readings taken on standard or "blank" samples of buffer, antibody and serum. Forward scattering from large particles, such as dust, is variable, and results in fluctuating signals, which are electrically processed to ignore the spurious peaks. The results of a test are displayed on a digital read out meter.Also described is a method of and protocol for immunochemical assay, whereby the amount of antigen originally present in a sample is determined by adding a known amount of antibody, and by assaying the "blank" component ingredients and the resulting mixture.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an leucocyte antigen mediated microfluidic assay and a microfluidic device for analyzing a subjects' body fluids containing leucocytes to determine if the subject has been previously exposed to a predetermined antigen.
Abstract:
An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.