Application of Continuous Automatic Colorimetry in Medical Research

A recent development of interest in analytical instrumentation provides a system for the continuous automatic determination of a wide variety of biochemically important compounds by colorimetry. The system is controlled by a multichannel, peristaltic proportioning pump which accurately delivers fixed volume ratios of samples and reagents to other components. Purification or separation of the constituent to be analyzed is effected by continuous dialysis and, after appropriate chemical treatment, optical density is measured in a ratio-recording dual beam colorimeter fitted with a flow curette. The system can analyze different samples on a continuous basis or monitor changes in a continuous sample stream. Operations require a minimum of technical attendance. The system has application in many areas of medical research: routine determination of classical clinical constituents for diagnosis and treatment; study of chemical pharmacology in vivo and in vitro; biochemical aspects of proteins, amino acids, and enzymes; organ and tissue perusal studies in physiology; microbial metabolism and assay; screening of experimental pharmacodynamic agents. The design and operation of the instrument system will be treated in general terms and the application and results in the aforementioned fields of research will be discussed. Economies in time and financial expenditure will be summarily noted.