Abstract: A process and an apparatus for biological conversion (composting) of organic waste material, e.g. from kitchens or restaurants, involving use of a heat-insulated housing (1) having at least two separate chambers (7, 8). In the first chamber (7), organic material is introduced and treated in the presence of microorganisms until an intermediate stage of conversion into biomass only. A portion of the partially converted material, responsive to a certain temperature measured in the first chamber (7), is transferred for a final composting into the second chamber (8). Waste organic material is newly introduced into the first chamber (7) and treated therein together with a remaining portion of the partially converted material; thereby, because of the presence of a sufficient amount of active microorganisms in the first chamber (7), the process of conversion of the newly introduced waste material is started immediately.

Abstract: An automatic immunoassay apparatus utilizes cartridges each having at least two wells, a first well containing solid phase material carrying antigen or antibody, and a second well containing antibody or antigen labelled with labelling compound. The wells may be sealed with a suitable sealing film before use and the sealing film is broken when the cartridge is to be used. The cartridges are transported to a predetermined position on a steppingly movable reaction line and conveyed thereby at a predetermined interval. While the reaction line steps, a sample, labelled antigen or antibody contained in the second well and substrate, if necessary, are added to the first well and stirred at predetermined timings, and reactions between the sample and a reactive solution are measured under control of a control device having a memory storing operator selectable programs for various measuring methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for the microbiological testing of pressurized liquids is disclosed which includes a completely closed container, at the base of which a membrane filter is sealed. Fitted upstream from the membrane is a built-in reading window and included downstream from the membrane, is a flange comprising a lip seal and a female threaded part. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a microbiological testing process by screwing to the container a filtration support, taking and filtering the sample to be analyzed, and then substituting for the support an incubation cartridge for the subsequent development, in an incubator, of the colonies collected on the membrane.

Abstract: A reactor for sequentially modifying a molecule attached to a solid phase support, including: a plurality of substrate carriers, each substrate carrier capable of carrying a solid phase support to which a molecule to be modified can be attached; a plurality of reagent chambers, each capable of comprising a reagent for effecting a modification of the molecule; and means for individually bringing each of a plurality of chosen substrate carriers into a reagent-contact mode and a reagent-non-contact mode with each of a plurality of reagent chambers. Each of a plurality of the substrate carriers is capable of sequential contact with the contents of a plurality of the reagent chambers. The sequential contact is capable of resulting in the sequential modification of molecules attached to solid phase supports on the plurality of substrate carriers.

Abstract: A reactor for the solution polymerization of volatile monomers equipped with an agitator to cause splashing and droplet formation to reduce volatile monomer accumulation in the vapor space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automated sample preparation, DNA amplification and detection, which apparatus has heat-sinking, flat carriers for holding specimens and reagents, devices for heating and cooling and maintaining the specimen to or at any given temperature for any given time periods, and a computer to generate signals that control said temperatures and times.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inoculation device including an easily manipulated handle together with microorganisms associated with a device for transferring and storing for extending periods stabilized, known microorganisms. This device is particularly useful in testing standard laboratory culture media. This device is easily produced by associating known microorganisms, either alone or together with a binding agent and other biologically acceptable additives and preservatives, with the sample transfer portion of the inoculation device. When substantially all of the water is removed from an inoculation device, including known microorganisms, the microbial containing device is storable for extended periods under sterile, dry conditions substantially free of water.

Abstract: A process and processing system are disclosed that provide for the processing of many forms of waste, such as medical and food waste, that both reduces the volume of waste solids and neutralizes the biological activity of such waste, thereby facilitating the disposal of potentially unhealthy or hazardous materials. Biological neutralization is accomplished by chopping the waste material and mixing it with a circulating stream of fluid such as water that is superheated to a temperature which effects disinfection or sterilization in accordance with the needs of the user. The superheated fluid is maintained substantially in a liquid form to facilitate intermixing with the waste material and absorption thereby in instances of the processing of fluid-absorbable materials. The processed waste can be filtered to remove solid particles having a size in excess of a predetermined amount, and the filtrate can be passed into municipal sewer systems.

Abstract: The optical fiber pH microsensor includes an optical fiber having a portion of the surface of a light conducting core covered with a layer of a pH sensitive dye material. The dye material is covalently bonded to a polymeric matrix which is in turn covalently bonded to the optical fiber core to prevent leaching of the indicator dye material during extended use. The dye material is crosslinked in situ over the tip of the optical fiber to yield a hydrophilic, ion permeable pH sensor which can be used intravascularly to monitor blood pH.

Abstract: Contact lenses are disinfected in a method including treating the contact lenses with an aqueous system of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst, and heating the system in order to accelerate decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the system is approximately 3-4% and the heating promotes decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide to a concentration of 50 parts per million or less within six hours following initial contact of catalyst with the system. The catalytic decomposition can be performed in a conventional lens sterilization vessel which is inserted within a heated receptacle to heat the reaction vessel and the contained sterilization system. The heated receptacle controls the temperature of the inserted vessel and sterilization system within a range of approximately 60.degree.-80.degree. C.

Abstract: A particle-separating apparatus discharges a liquid drop by providing discharging energy within a receptacle for receiving a particle-suspending fluid. Thermal energy can be used to generate a bubble and discharge a liquid drop containing an individual particle to be examined from an opening in the receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing biochemical reactions and a combination of a capillary (3) and a reaction vessel (1) for use in said method. The reagent capillaries (3) contain frozen reagents (6-13) separated from each other by air or an inert fluid. At use, the reagent capillaries (3) are placed in a reaction vessel (1) to be thawed and then the contents are centrifugated to the bottom of the reaction vessel (1). The invention is intended for use in all types of biochemical standard reactions and diagnostic tests in which the reagents cannot be mixed in advance. It is particularly suitable for PCR diagnostics but is also especially beneficial when handling radioactive reagents, e.g. labeled nucleotides, for sequencing reactions, etc.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates generally to laboratory ware, and specifically to laboratory ware and method for cultivating biological cell cultures within the laboratory ware. Cell culture vessels are disclosed providing enhanced cell yields for epithelial-like cell lines, and a more in-vivo like cell growing environment for fibroblast-like cell lines. A representative flask and dish including a plurality of grooves, or valleys, residing between ridges substantially covering the interior of preferably the bottom wall of the flask and dish is disclosed. The preferred ridges have a radius between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters and range from 0.2 to 2.0 millimeters in height, and are spaced apart from each other within the range of 0.2 to 2.5 millimeters.

Abstract: The operative site of an assay device is dosed with a controlled volume of a liquid specimen by a holding device which holds the controlled volume of specimen in contact with the operative site, although the holding device remains out of contact with the operative site. A sink device is in contact with the margin of the holding device and moves excess specimen away from the holding device. In one embodiment the device makes possible a non-wipe teststrip architecture. The device can be used in the detection of analytes including glucose or cholesterol in blood or urine and can be interrogated visually, optically or electrically, depending on the reagent used at the operative site.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood oxygenation system comprising an integral blood processing unit having a blood reservoir/oxygenator/heat exchanger/pump and pump motor and a remote control console connectable to the integral blood processing unit by way of non-blood containing connections such as electrical cable or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for disinfecting a contact lens comprise a container having an inner surface and being sized to hold a contact lens to be disinfected and a liquid medium containing hydrogen peroxide; a substrate located in the container; and a metal component deposited from a vapor medium on the substrate. The metal component is present in an amount effective to promote the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sterilizing a medical unit having at least two connections for a fluid flow pathway where a sterilizing medium flows through the medical unit.Medical units of this type are e.g. medical filters, in particular dialyzers. A high degree of sterility is here required. This is accomplished through the steps of:(a) inserting the medical unit into a system under pressure-tight coupling of the at least two connections to a feed conduit and discharge conduit of the system under atmospheric conditions;(b) passing the sterilizing medium from the system through the medical unit for a given period of time;(c) closing the at least two connections in the coupled state and in a germproof manner, without the same being opened, on completion of the sterilization operation; and(d) removing said medical unit from said system as a sterile medical unit with closed connections.

Abstract: A honeycomb heater having integrally formed and/or integrally sintered electrodes constructed of a metallic honeycomb structure having a desired honeycomb configuration, and metallic electrodes which are integrally sintered with the honeycomb structure at predetermined positions thereon. The honeycomb heater having integrally sintered electrodes is manufactured by joining or contacting the electrode-like formed bodies to the formed honeycomb body, and then by sintering the formed honeycomb body with the electrode-like formed bodies attached or contacted thereto. The electrodes are made of the same material as that of the honeycomb body, or of a material having an electric resistance lower than that of the material comprising the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A device (10) for separating liquid samples has a sample container (12), bottom wall (20) of which has an outlet opening (22) provided therein. The outlet opening (22) is joined by an outlet spout (24) extending in the axial direction of the sample container (12). On bottom wall (20) there is a separation layer (28). Below sample container (12), a collecting container (32) is arranged abutting sample container (12) such that an exchange of air between the interior of the collecting chamber (32) and the environment is possible, yet an escape of liquid is largely inhibited. The contact surface between collecting chamber (32) and sample container (12) and end (26) of the outlet spout (24) through which the liquid is discharged, are axially spaced apart.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid or semi-solid detergents includes a hollow elongated opening or chute and an arcuate plate that extends from the side wall of the apparatus to beneath the chute. This plate provides a planar support for a detergent bar placed within the chute. Water is sprayed down the arcuate plate and projects against the detergent supported on the planar support causing it to dissolve and flow down a drain. The chute has a unique geometric design which is suitable to receive only one uniquely shaped elongated detergent bar. In a kitchen having several detergent dispensers, each detergent dispenser will have a uniquely defined chute so that only the appropriate detergent can be used in the appropriate dispenser.