Abstract: A device and a process to count a number of colonies present in a set of samples. The colony counting device has a storage device with plural storage locations. A handling system is operative to convey samples to analyze from storage locations to an analysis area and from the analysis area to storage locations. An imaging device is operative to acquire a plurality of images of a sample to analyze, the plurality of images including all or a part of the analysis area. A processing unit is operative to implement, for each sample to analyze, a detection step to detect the presence of colonies by analyzing an image of the plurality of images of the sample and a determination step to determine the number of colonies present in the sample by counting the colonies whose presence have been detected during the detection step.

Abstract: A filter bag comprising with a wall structure defining an inner volume with an opening. The wall structure extends from a bottom to the opening. A filter extends from the bottom toward the opening to separate the inner volume into a sample receiving compartment and a filtrate collection compartment. An orifice in the wall structure is in communication with the filtrate collection compartment, and a closure system has a closed state wherein access through the orifice is prevented and an open state wherein access through the orifice is permitted. The closure system can have a moveable part operative to selectively seal the orifice and a stationary part fixed to the wall structure with a separative limit therebetween. A fastening system can selectively retain a foldable portion of the wall structure against the wall structure to adjust the opening from an open state to a closed state.

Abstract: A device and a process to count a number of colonies present in a set of samples. The colony counting device has a storage device with plural storage locations. A handling system is operative to convey samples to analyze from storage locations to an analysis area and from the analysis area to storage locations. An imaging device is operative to acquire a plurality of images of a sample to analyze, the plurality of images including all or a part of the analysis area. A processing unit is operative to implement, for each sample to analyze, a detection step to detect the presence of colonies by analyzing an image of the plurality of images of the sample and a determination step to determine the number of colonies present in the sample by counting the colonies whose presence have been detected during the detection step.

Abstract: A gripping device with linear actuation for a robotic arm for seizing and gripping Petri dishes and other light items. The gripping device has a support and first and second gripping arms slidably retained relative to the support by guide rods. A motorized drive mechanism actuates the gripping arms through an operating member that acts only on the first gripping arm. Through an interconnection mechanism, movement of the first gripping arm actuates a simultaneous and dependent opposite movement of the second gripping arm so that the gripping arms are movable between a slack position and a clamping position. The operating member acts on the first gripping arm through a resiliently compressible member, the distortion of which is measured to provide a clamping limitation mechanism.

Abstract: An analysis bag for receiving a biological sample for microbial culture with a culture broth powder disposed within an inner volume of the container and retained by a porous wall. The culture broth powder can be disposed in at least one pouch comprising an envelope of porous material with an open inner volume. The container can have two compartments sharing a common porous wall with one compartment adapted to receive the culture broth powder and the other compartment adapted to receive the biological sample. The pouch can be manufactured with a panel of porous material folded over and sealed with the culture broth powder retained therein. A microbial culture process can be implemented with such analysis bags retaining at least one pouch or having compartments separated by a common porous wall.

Abstract: A laboratory mixer for mixing a sample and a diluent in a bag. An enclosure defines a mixing chamber, and at least one movable mixing element is retained for mixing the sample and the diluent within the bag. At least one liquid detector is retained relative to the enclosure for detecting liquid leaked from the bag. The sensor can be a capacitive, inductive, or optical sensor. The sensor can be a conductivity sensor with two electrodes shaped like combs and a gap less than or equal to a diameter of a drip of diluent solution. A ledge with a low point can be retained by an access door. The sensor or sensors can be disposed adjacent to the access door, on a mixing element, in direct contact with the bag, or on a tank. An alarm and cessation of operation can be triggered upon a detection of leaked liquid.

Abstract: A gravimetric dispensing system for dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid into a container. The system has a base structure with a weighing apparatus and a support stand for retaining a container disposed to receive a quantity of liquid. The weighing apparatus supports the support stand to provide a determination of a weight of the support stand, the container, and any liquid deposited into the container, and a receptacle collects any leaked liquid, including liquid from the container or where the container is missing. The receptacle can be removable and can include at least one tank. The receptacle can have a bottom, an opening in the bottom to permit spacing from the weighing apparatus, and ledges surrounding the bottom and the opening. The receptacle can be fixed or removable, such as upon removal of the support stand. A locating formation can engage a corresponding formation on the base structure.

Abstract: A device, system and method integrating forward and panoramic fields is disclosed, comprising: a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field, reflective on at least part of the convex surface; a secondary reflector, forward of the primary reflector relative to the forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof facing rearward toward the primary reflector; a primary reflector hole in the primary reflector, substantially centered about an optical axis of the apparatus; and a secondary reflector hole in the secondary reflector, substantially centered about the optical axis.

Abstract: A device, system and method integrating forward and panoramic fields is disclosed, comprising: a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field, reflective on at least part of the convex surface; a secondary reflector, forward of the primary reflector relative to the forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof facing rearward toward the primary reflector; a primary reflector hole in the primary reflector, substantially centered about an optical axis of the apparatus; and a secondary reflector hole in the secondary reflector, substantially centered about the optical axis.

Abstract: A device, system and method integrating forward and panoramic fields is disclosed, comprising: a primary reflector, comprising a convex surface in relation to the forward field, reflective on at least part of the convex surface; a secondary reflector, forward of the primary reflector relative to the forward field, reflective on at least part a surface thereof facing rearward toward the primary reflector; a primary reflector hole in the primary reflector, substantially centered about an optical axis of the apparatus; and a secondary reflector hole in the secondary reflector, substantially centered about the optical axis.

Abstract: An improvement in a wavelength division multiplexer and/or a dense wavelength division multiplexer (WDM/DWDM) is achieved by incorporating an electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating (108). The introduction of the electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating (108), which is typically fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology, improves the compact design, durability, and dynamic functionality of the WDM/DWDM system.

Abstract: A device, system and method for detecting and measuring concentrations of elements in fluids comprises: flowing a fluid through a central flow interelectrode gap of an ionic preconcentration cell separating an upper high specific surface area electrode from a lower high specific surface area electrode of the ionic preconcentration cell by a predetermined interelectrode gap width; and applying a voltage differential between the upper high surface area electrode and the lower high surface area electrode while the fluid is flowing through the central flow interelectrode gap. As such, this cell that utilizes its inherent capacitance for double layer formation to extract ultra-trace levels of ionic contaminants from fluids in order to enhance detection by x-ray fluorescence analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical pickup device based on the developing electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating MEMS technology. The improved optical pickup device has applications that include but are not limited to CD and DVD for audio, video and computer technology. The present invention can provide improvements to this current and future technology with higher data storage density and faster retrieval.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a single endoscope that provides a field of view substantially greater than a hemisphere comprising a forward field of view and a panoramic field of view that are integrated on a single image plane. The invention is described with respect to a rigid endoscope, but the technology can be implemented on a flexible endoscope as well. The advantage of such an endoscope is that it would provide substantially more information to the physician than any single existing endoscope, and it can be used in place of multiple endoscopes with varying directions of view that are swapped throughout a procedure to provide different views. The invention can also be used in non-medical applications for inspection in closed or generally inaccessible spaces such as for example the interior of jet engines.

Abstract: An improved conical panoramic mirror element design is disclosed such that the panoramic vertical field of view is not fixed and the image covers at least 90% of the toroidal image pixels of an imaging device. The data required to prescribe the panoramic conical element includes the position of the detector device, the most negative vertical scene angle, the most positive vertical scene angle, the panoramic cone's base diameter, the cone's apex to base ratio. These are utilized according to a mathematical prescription that optimizes the mirror element's design.

Abstract: An improved microsystems testing and characterization system which allows the system user to identify specific structures, and thereby to initiate an automated testing sequence to be applied to that structure or a series of structures. The integrated control system that governs the present invention automates the power supply to the device under test, the precision motion control of all components, the sensor operation, data processing and data presentation. Therefore operation is autonomous once the microstructure is in place and the testing sequence is specified. The integrated testing system can be used to perform tests on an entire wafer or on a single die.

Abstract: A tunable laser system where incoming light is separated into wavelength separated light; the separated light is focused into a plurality of single wavelength focal spots. The laser system includes a locally controllable reflectivity array having a plurality of individually controllable localized reflective elements corresponding to and reflecting one of the plurality of focal spots. A wavelength filter substantially allows wavelengths of the incoming light separated by a specified frequency to emerge as filtered light, while substantially barring other wavelengths. The separated light includes this filtered light. An elongation element for elongates the wavelength separated light into a plurality of elongated single wavelength focal spots. The locally controllable reflectivity array includes a plurality of sets of a plurality of individually controllable localized reflective elements, each set corresponding to and reflecting one of the elongated single wavelength focal spots.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical power relay uses mercury, or a similar liquid metal with high surface tension, as a flexible non-degrading contact mechanism. The basic systematic requirements for the micro-relay include large current carrying capacity, high speed, use of control voltages readily available in the given application, and an acceptable hold-off voltage. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the novel configuration of a liquid metal current carrying switching device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a wavelength division multiplexer and/or a dense wavelength division multiplexer (WDM/DWDM) by incorporating an electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating. The introduction of the electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating, which is typically fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology, improves the compact design, durability, and dynamic functionality of the WDM/DWDM system.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical power relay uses mercury, or a similar liquid metal with high surface tension, as a flexible non-degrading contact mechanism. The basic systematic requirements for the micro-relay include large current carrying capacity, high speed, use of control voltages readily available in the given application, and an acceptable hold-off voltage. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the novel configuration of a liquid metal current carrying switching device.