Abstract: A negative pressure flow regulation and automatic purge method which provides an improved ozone delivery system for use with ozone generators using venturi devices or other negative-pressure ozone injection schemes, such as in ozone water purification systems. The system comprises four components in a particular arrangement: a first check valve and a needle valve or orifice in the ozone line immediately following the ozone generator, a second check valve at or near the venturi end of the ozone line, and a vacuum reservoir volume consisting of the combined volume of a vacuum bottle and the length of ozone line between the needle valve and the second check valve. The system maintains a near-ambient pressure in the ozone generator during operation, and after shutdown it provides an automatic purge of the ozone generator, prevents back-diffusion of ozone into the gas supply line and firmly seats the safety check valve in the ozone delivery line.

Abstract: A light beam having a first wavelength (.lambda..sub.1) is applied to the blood from a first light radiation section, while a light beam having a second wavelength (.lambda..sub.2) is applied from second and third light radiation sections different in positions from the first radiation section and from each other to the blood and the respective reflected-light intensity (I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3) is detected. A first correction value (X) for correcting the reflected-light intensity ratio (I.sub.2 /I.sub.3) is calculated by a first correction value operation section (40) and a second correction value (C.sub.1) is calculated by a second correction value operation section (42) by use of this first correction value and the reflected-light intensity (I.sub.3). The reflected-light intensity ratio (I.sub.1 /I.sub.2) is corrected by use of this second correction value and an oxygen saturation in the blood is operated based on correlation function by use of the corrected reflected-light intensity ratio (R.sub.s).

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaner comprising (a) at least one filter made of a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material for trapping floating fine particles in an exhaust gas; and (b) at least a pair of electrodes stacked with the filter alternately, voltage being applied between the adjacent electrodes to burn electrically conductive and burnable fine particles trapped in the filter by heat generated by a current flowing between the adjacent electrodes, and the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas in the filter being essentially parallel to that of the laminate surface of the electrodes. The filter may carry a catalyst which functions to reduce harmful gas components in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing odor perceived by a nearby community from an odor-emitting system, e.g., sewage treatment, etc., by adsorbing on core particles, as described, condensible components present in the system. The malodorous components then cannot adsorb in a film of condensible components on the aerosol to be carried by the aerosol plume into the surrounding community, but remain with the humid gas plume to be dispersed upward into the atmosphere. The process is useful for any system which contains condensible components and malodorous components and whose emissions form aerosols.

Abstract: The test tube holder includes an elongated tubular member which supports a pivot member and receives a removable adapter member. The adapter member accommodates a test tube and can be interchanged with another adapter member that accommodates a different size test tube. Biasing springs are provided in the adapter member to hold the test tube therein. The biasing force of the biasing springs against the test tube is predetermined to permit easy insertion and removal of the test tube from the adapter member. The test tube holder which includes the adapter member can be joined to other similar test tube holders in a manner which permits relative pivoting and tilting of one test tube holder with respect to another test tube holder. The test tube holder further includes a detent arrangement for inseparably detenting the adapter member in the tubular member when a test tube is present in the tubular member.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for transporting a sample of body fluid such as blood from a first location to a remote test site location. The apparatus operates in conjunction with a fluid manifold module which has a first sample input port, a second washing fluid input port and a third input port for receiving air. There are tubing means coupled to said first, second and third input ports which are coupled together and coupled to a sample output line which extends from the first location to the remote location. The manifold means contains check valves with one valve for blood and one valve for washing fluid and a diaphragm pump for air. There are logic means which selectively operate the valves and pump to allow the sample line to receive a sample separated by air barriers from washing fluid solution. In this manner, a predetermined volume of sample is transported from the first location to the remote test site location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring formaldehyde vapor in a gas, comprising directing the gas into contact with an aqueous acidic solution that can dissolve the vapor and thus collect it therein, separating the gas from the solution, reacting the solution with a reagent to form from the collected formaldehyde a derivative that can be excited by radiation at a wavelength in the range of about 230 to 300 (typically 254) nanometers to fluoresce at a substantially different wavelength, irradiating the solution at a wavelength in said range for excitation, and measuring the intensity of the resulting fluorescence. Typically the fluorescence is measured at a wavelength in the range of about 450 to 550 nanometers and the irradiation and the measurement of fluorescence are carried out by means comprising conventional fluorometric means.

Abstract: Sensors responsive to small changes in the concentration of chemical species are disclosed, comprising a mechanicochemically responsive polymeric film capable of expansion or contraction in response to a change in its chemical environment, either operatively coupled to a transducer capable of directly converting the expansion or contraction to a measurable electrical or optical response, or adhered to a second inert polymeric strip, or doped with a conductive material.

Abstract: The gas detection apparatus for detecting chemical agents in an air stream includes a radioactive source to ionize the air stream and an electrostatic field to increase the efficiency of the apparatus by neutralizing undesired ions, which allows a radioactive source with a lower radiation level to be used than would be required without such neutralization. A diffusion chamber including a baffle device is then used for an ion selection processes. Additional undesired ions are diffused into the walls of the diffusion chamber while the remaining ions, which are the ones sought to be detected, pass from the diffusion chamber into a collection chamber. Detection of the chemical agent ions is achieved when the remaining ions collide with the walls of a collection chamber, transferring their charge to thereby generate a current.

Abstract: A personal dosimeter for measuring the average concentration of undesirable contaminants gases such as nitrogen oxide includes a gas permeable web-like wafer formed of a material inert to polyamine. The wafer has a surface area having a numerical value at least one thousand times the value of the axial width of the wafer. The wafer is soaked in an absorptive medium not containing the ambient contaminant gas to be measured. The wafer, so soaked, is inserted within a gaseous impermeable housing from which the wafer may be selectively release and re-inserted. During an interval of release of the wafer, it is exposed for a predetermined interval of time to the ambient atmosphere. After re-insertion, the dosimeter is taken to an analysis site at which the wafer is removed and the molar concentration of products reaction with the atmospheric contaminant is measured.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of cartridges (1) each containing serum, and reagents in a sachet. The cartridges are inserted into the automatic processing device (40) enabling the serum to be put into contact with the various reagents and then enabling the results to be read.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described herein which allows filters, to which bacterial or mammalian cell samples have been absorbed, to be reacted sequentially by various scientific means and to be washed between analyses. The filters are placed between interconnected parallel separation plates on the filter agitator. The filter holder is lowered into a reaction container that contains reaction or wash solutions. The filter holder is raised or lowered in the reaction container by physical or mechanical means. The reaction container is covered by a lid which prevents splashing and contamination of the solution or filters. Solutions are added by means of a fill tube located in the lid and emptied by means of a drain in the reaction container. Once the sequential analysis is complete, gene product on the sample filters is detected by an appropriate method.

Abstract: A disposable CO.sub.2 gas generator cartridge of cylindrical construction and including inner and outer coaxial reagent chambers which are interconnected when installed in a cylindrical pressure vessel and having a top cover assembly including a pusher type activating mechanism which is operated by a cam surface located on a handwheel. The cover assembly connects to a carbonated drink dispenser by means of a quick disconnect coupling activated by the operation of a manually operated pull down lever assembly including the handwheel. Operation of the handwheel acts to start gas generation and also vent the cartridge to atmosphere when spent.

Abstract: An automatic infinitesimal liquid reactor equipped with a pipetter for dispensing reagents employs two stages which are capable of sliding horizontally. A microplate which has a plurality of recesses in rows is placed in one stage and reagent bottles are placed on the other stage. The pipetter is supported on a horizontal guide rail operating slidably horizontally and along an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. The horizontal guide rail is supported on a vertical guide rail so as to operate slidably in a vertical direction. Thus the pipetter can be moved in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the two stages slide. When reagents are sucked from reagent bottles, the second stage is slid so that a reagent bottle is superposed below the pipetter and the pipetter is moved downwardly into the reagent bottle to draw in a reagent.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus and method transfers a sample to be examined to a sampling position, fractionally injects the sample into a reaction vessel by using sampling means, adds a reagent to the reaction vessel holding therein the sample fractionally injected to cause reaction, and measures absorbance of the reaction solution at predetermined time intervals using a photometer. A first check for checking whether an abnormality is present in the measurement result of each measurement item is made, followed by a second check for checking whether an abnormality is present on the basis of a change in the rate of absorbance measured after the reagent is added to the sample in the reaction vessel. Then, a third check computes correlation of measured absorbance data and checks whether an abnormality is present on the basis of the result of computation.

Abstract: A method and specimen slide for obtaining fecal occult blood specimens. The slide includes first and second portions each including front and back panels. The first portion includes one or more apertures formed through its front panel which exposes a reagent-carrying sheet and the back panel of the first portion includes a flap that may be opened for the application of additional reagents to the back of the sheet. The second portion includes an aperture in its front panel and a flap formed in its back panel. A sheet is carried between the front and back panels of the second portion onto which a fecal specimen may be smeared. The sheet includes pre-perforated removable portions that may be easily accessed through the flap. As an alternative embodiment, the back panel of the second portion may include a removable tab to which is fixed the specimen sheet. The tab and specimen sheet may be removed for easy access to the removable portions of the specimen sheet.

Abstract: A diagnostic test slide for performing diagnostic tests for detecting the presence of microogranisms, enzymes or metabolites comprising a plastic film having a coating therein comprising a carrier and a reagent. The coated film is placed in a mount that is constructed and arranged to form a border around a portion of the film. A method is provided for making the test slide utilizing conventional, automated devices for making coated photographic films, and conventional, automated devices for mounting slide film in mounts.

Abstract: A reagent reaction apparatus for automatically performing a reaction by introducing various kinds of reagents to a sample solution. The reagent reaction apparatus includes a number of sample vials within a containing section and a plunger valve with fluid introducing port and a fluid discharge port located on top of the containing section. A mechanism sequentially injects into the sample vial a predetermined amount of reagents into a sample vial containing a measured amount of sample solutions. The sample vial is held in a rotary cone in order to apply centrifugal force. Then, the sample solution and reagents are subjected top a temperature adjusting bath which is preselected for the required reaction temperature. A mechanism transports the final product in the sample vial to a discharge station.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stackable cassette and apparatus for preparation of multiple tissue specimens for histological examination. The cassettes include a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall which define a cavity. The bottom wall has a plurality of apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through the cassette in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the bottom wall. At least two walls selected from the back wall, two side walls and front wall have a plurality of apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through the cassette in the direction parallel to the plane of the bottom wall. In one embodiment of the invention, the cassette further includes a web of porous material disposed over the apertures in the bottom wall and side walls. When the cassettes are placed in stacked relationship the bottom wall of an overlying cassette provides a cover for the underlying cassette.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing odor perceived by a nearby community from an odor-emitting system, e.g., sewage treatment, etc., by adsorbing on core particles, as described, condensible components present in the system. The malodorous components then cannot adsorb in a film of condensible components on the aerosol to be carried by the aerosol plume into the surrounding community, but remain with the humid gas plume to be dispersed upward into the atmosphere. The process is useful for any system which contains condensible components and malodorous components and whose emissions form aerosols.