A test-tube assembly and method for carrying out immunoassays. The apparatus features two independent components, the first having a series of test-tubes fixed to a support and equidistantly dependent therefrom, and the second having a base including magnets permanently fixed therein, the two components being releasably couplable to hold the lower ends of the test-tubes adjacent the magnets in the base.

In an arrangement for carrying out a radioimmunological method of determining both antigens and antibodies by examining samples of human body liquids by forming an antigen/antibody-complex with a radioactively labelled antibody, a micro-titer-plate is provided with recesses for accommodating a solution of said radioactively labelled antibody and to the sample to be examined. Carriers, in the form of elongated elements secured to a holding band, are loaded with unlabelled antigen and are contacted with the sample by being inserted in the recesses of the micro-titer-plate. The carrier is washed, and the radioactivity of the carrier is measured.

The method described coats the interior of a tube-like support with the binding partner of the analyte. Analyte and anti-analyte-label conjugate are added. When the tube-like support is rotated end-over-end, the thin layer of analyte and conjugate readily react with the binding partners to form an immobilized label complex. When rotation stops, the reaction quenches to provide precise timing. The label complex is released and measured.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing samples for the purpose of analysis, in which at least one reaction agent and an initial sample are successively injected into a cartridge (90) provided with an orifice (92) in its lower portion, in such a manner as to cause the injected matter to pass through a column (91) of powdery agent contained within the cartridge, and in which the product of the last passage of injected matter through the column is retained for analysis. According to the invention, the reaction agents and the initial sample are successively injected into each cartridge after the top of the cartridge has been sealed in such a manner that the injection of the reaction agent or the sample causes the pressure at the top of the cartridge to rise, thereby accelerating the passage of the reaction agent or the sample through the column. The invention also provides apparatus for performing the method, which apparatus includes a moving carriage (120) enabling a waste receptacle (130) or individual tubes (150) to be placed beneath the lower orifices of the cartridges.

The invention concerns an apparatus for preparing samples for analysis having at least a liquid-injecting needle (6), at least a column (32) for receiving the injecting needle, at least a tube (48), device (6, 26) for the tube and the column relative horizontal displacement between a position of coincidence in which the column bottom aperture (36) extends above the tube top aperture (50), and a relative lateral offset position of the two apertures (36, 50), and adapted device (6, 60) for the tube (48) and the column (32) relative vertical displacement such that in position of coincidence, the apertures (36, 50) interpenetrate, including vertical guide device for either the tube (48) or the column (32). The vertical guide device is adapted to operate the guiding under horizontal loading effect.