Abstract: An appliance for rapidly vibrating test tubes containing samples to be ground up, the appliance comprising an electric motor (12) for driving rotation of a disk (16) that is provided with an eccentric pin (17), the appliance being characterized in that the test tubes (23) are perpendicular to the eccentric pin and are held by a clamp (21) mounted on a support (20) that is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin, being connected to a fixed baseplate via a Cardan type hinge (15) having two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation (X and Y), one of which axes (Y) is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin (17) and connects the support (20) to the other axis (X) of the hinge (15) that prevents the support (20) from moving in rotation about a perpendicular axis (Z). The support (20) is connected to the eccentric pin (17) by a link (19).

Abstract: An appliance for rapidly vibrating test tubes containing samples to be ground up, the appliance comprising an electric motor (12) for driving rotation of a disk (16) that is provided with an eccentric pin (17), the appliance being characterized in that the test tubes (23) are perpendicular to the eccentric pin and are held by a clamp (21) mounted on a support (20) that is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin, being connected to a fixed baseplate via a Cardan type hinge (15) having two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation (X and Y), one of which axes (Y) is substantially parallel to the eccentric pin (17) and connects the support (20) to the other axis (X) of the hinge (15) that prevents the support (20) from moving in rotation about a perpendicular axis (Z). The support (20) is connected to the eccentric pin (17) by a link (19).

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding biological samples contained in tubes (12) carried by a turntable (10) driven with oscillating motion, the zone in which the tubes (12) oscillate being surrounded by cooling means (30) enabling the samples in the tubes (12) to be maintained at a desired low temperature, e.g. 4° C., while they are being ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for grinding biological samples contained in tubes (12) carried by a turntable (10) driven with oscillating motion, the zone in which the tubes (12) oscillate being surrounded by cooling means (30) enabling the samples in the tubes (12) to be maintained at a desired low temperature, e.g. 4° C., while they are being ground.

Abstract: A device for guiding a shaft in an oscillating movement about a center of rotation situated on the axis of the shaft comprises a ball-and-socket bearing and a ball bearing mounted one inside the other between the shaft and a fixed support. The ball-and-socket bearing comprises a ball-and-socket joint with an outer convex surface in a portion of a sphere forming the inner race of the bearing, and two rings of balls that are arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and two superposed outer races of the bearing and that are guided in semicylindrical annular slots or grooves of the races.

Abstract: A device for guiding a shaft in an oscillating movement about a center of rotation situated on the axis of the shaft comprises a ball-and-socket bearing and a ball bearing mounted one inside the other between the shaft and a fixed support. The ball-and-socket bearing comprises a ball-and-socket joint with an outer convex surface in a portion of a sphere forming the inner race of the bearing, and two rings of balls that are arranged between the ball-and-socket joint and two superposed outer races of the bearing and that are guided in semicylindrical annular slots or grooves of the races.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly vibrating tubes containing samples, e.g. biological samples, comprises a tube-support disk and concentric bearings for mounting the disk in a ring that is resiliently-suspended from a frame, the bearings comprising two rolling bearings mounted one within the other. The invention enables the tubes containing samples to be subjected to curvilinear reciprocating motion at high frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapidly vibrating tubes containing samples, e.g. biological samples, comprises a tube-support disk and concentric bearings for mounting the disk in a ring that is resiliently-suspended from a frame, the bearings comprising two rolling bearings mounted one within the other. The invention enables the tubes containing samples to be subjected to curvilinear reciprocating motion at high frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge for preparing purified nucleic acids obtained from a sample of cells, the cartridge comprises a filter tube disposed inside a dialysis tube, the ends of the tubes are mounted in endpieces that are interconnected by rigid uprights, the endpieces are designed to be connected to a device for injection and delivery of substances such as a sample of cells, reaction substances, and rinsing substances.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a gel plate with a microporous membrane by means of a cassette comprising a rectangular frame and a removable bottom plate, means for tensioning a membrane disposed on the frame substantially uniformly, and means for pouring liquid gel into the frame between the tensioned membrane and the removable bottom plate which also carries a comb for forming wells in the gel plate for receiving samples of macromolecules.The invention makes it quick and easy to manufacture gel plates with a microporous membrane for separation and transfer of macromolecules by electrophoresis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating a microporous-membrane for gel plate separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, the apparatus comprising a peripheral frame (10) provided with a removable bottom plate and including means (54, 58, 60, 64) enabling the membrane to be tensioned after it has been placed on the liquid gel as cast onto the bottom plate.

Abstract: A cartridge for preparing nucleic acids such as DNA from cells comprises two end rings (14) enabling it to be mounted in sealed manner in a tube (10), two dialysis membranes (16) delimiting a dialysis enclosure (18) between them, a filter (20) for retaining cell nuclei dividing said enclosure (18) into two separate compartments, and means (24) for feeding substances into one of the compartments, means (26) for extracting substances from the other compartments, and means (28, 30) for feeding a dialysis liquid into the tube outside the cartridge, or for causing it to flow therethrough. The invention also provides apparatus, and a method using said cartridge.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plate of gel for separating and transferring macromolecules by electrophoresis, the method consisting in fixing the periphery of a microporous membrane (10) to a frame (12) and in casting the liquid gel into the frame while avoiding any solid contact with the free face (24) of the membrane opposite to its face that is to be covered in gel, e.g. by placing the frame (12) on a slab (14), with the membrane (10) being above the frame and the slab, and then casting the gel into the frame (12) beneath the membrane (10).

Abstract: A device for knotting a tie comprising a C-shaped rotary member (18) for driving the tie and forming a turn or loop therein, together with a rod movable relative to said C-shaped rotary member that includes a clamp or hook at the end thereof.