Abstract: A pinch-type shut-off, pressure- or flow-regulating valve having a flexible tube extending through a valve body wherein the flexible tube is pinched off by the action of an eccentric cam attached to a motor. As the eccentric cam is rotated the flexible tube can be pinched off as it presses against the opposing wall inside the valve body. A number of positions of pinching off can be achieved and a microswitch can be available to locate the position of the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A process for making particulate substantially water-insoluble magnesium phosphate product and method of use of the product for removing ammonia from aqueous solutions. The particulate magnesium phosphate product acts as a remarkably effective scavenger wherein under equilibrium conditions only about six (6) grams of the product are required to bind the ammonia (more exactly, ammonium ions) liberated from one (1) gram of the urea, a result far superior to traditional zirconium phosphate (ZP) prior art materials which under ideal conditions require about 17 to 20 grams of ZP per gram of urea. The particulate magnesium phosphate product can also be used for the removal of ammonium ions either produced by enzymatic or non-enzymatic hydrolysis of urea or proteins or amino acids or available as NH.sub.4.sup.+ from its native source. The magnesium phosphate product is made by forming a slurry of water and magnesium hydroxide in the presence of a phosphate ion-containing buffer having a pH of about 6.5 to about 8.

Abstract: A new and useful composition of matter, solid at room temperature, is disclosed, comprising: (1) an effective amount of a suitable nucleating agent substantially uniformly dispersed in (2) a suitable pressure-sensitive adhesive for encapsulating a temperature-sensitive solid mixture having a given nucleation efficiency and which melts at a predetermined temperature, whereby the suitable nucleating agent is (a) inert to both the pressure-sensitive adhesive and the temperature-sensitive solid mixture, and (b) capable of raising the nucleation efficiency of said solid mixture. The novel composition of matter overcomes the extreme super-cooling achieved by temperature-indicating compositions of matter in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552 (which change color with a change in phase) without the use of classical nucleating agents being employed in such temperature-indicating compositions of matter.

Abstract: A new and useful container is disclosed for storing "sharps", e.g., surgical needles or blades, comprising: (a) base means formed of a reusable and sterilizable material containing a source of magnetism; (b) collecting means for surgical needles or blades, said collecting means shaped to provide an interlocking fit with said base means; and (c) cover means with said collecting means to form an enclosure, said cover means capable of tight-fitting engagement with and placement over said collecting means to prevent said surgical needles or blades from escaping from said enclosure when said cover means is in tight-fitting engagement with said collecting means, said collecting means and said cover means attached to each other by hinge means, said collecting means being provided with locking means to lock said cover means with said collecting means when said cover means is in tight fitting engagement with said collecting means.

Abstract: Processes, reagents and test kits for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of an immunochemically reactive component, in which one or more labelled components are used, that are obtained by direct or indirect coupling of such a component or components to particles of an aqueous dispersion of a hydrophobic dye or pigment, or of polymer nuclei coated with such a dye or pigment.During the reaction or after an adequate reaction time the nature and/or the quantity of the dye is determined in the test medium, or optionally after a separation of the bound and free labelled components in one of the fractions.

Abstract: A new and useful hydrophilic polyester fiber and process of making same are disclosed; the fiber has a stable pore system exhibiting a moisture pickup (regain) of at least about 2 percent by weight at 40.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 92%. Our experiments indicate that the proportion of moisture regain is attributable to capillary condensation in an amount of at least 25%. The hydrophilic properties are the result of a certain pore system within the fiber which enables capilliary condensation to occur significantly. The invention describes one way to accomplish this, namely by the addition of a predetermined amount of a suitable oxalato-complex to a suitable polyester mass. Most preferably, about 10% by weight K.sub.3 Al(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.3 is added to the polyester mass.

Abstract: A new and useful process is disclosed for manufacturing a device for use in a bioprocess, comprising: (a) providing solid support means insoluble in water or organic solvent solutions; (b) coating said solid support means with water-based polymeric film means capable of applying one or more biomaterials; and (c) adsorbing or covalently bonding at least one functional biomaterial to said polymeric film means. The polymeric film means, for example, can be used to coat antigens, antibodies, haptens, enzymes, living bacteria, yeasts, etc. (i.e., biomaterials) to a glass (or other) support material, e.g., a glass tube, with surprising retention of the biomaterial's essential characteristic properties. The solid support means include but are not limited to those comprising glass, ceramics, metals, polymers and woods. The device of the invention is particularly useful in various immunoassays using a solid support for separation of phases.

Abstract: A method of blanking wherein an endless V-shaped groove of desired contour is formed on at least one of the top and bottom sides of a material sheet. The groove is shaped so that the external side thereof is at a right angle to the groove-cut surface of the sheet. A blank having the desired contour is then cut out of the sheet along the right-angled external side of the groove.

Abstract: Novel and stable compositions of matter are disclosed which change color sharply upon a transition from a liquid state to a solid state or from a solid state to a liquid state, which change of state is at substantially a predetermined temperature corresponding to a temperature to be measured.The constituents of the novel compositions of matter comprise:1. a solvent (I) consisting of a single substance or a mixture of substances and adapted to change from a solid state at substantially a predetermined temperature to a liquid state and2. an indicator system (II) consisting of one or more substances different from (I), characterized in that(a) (II) is soluble in (I) when the latter is in the liquid phase, and(b) (II) changes color visible to the naked eye when (I) passes from the solid to the liquid phase or from the liquid to the solid phase.Thermometers containing said stable compositions of matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and useful process is disclosed for manufacturing a device for use in a bioprocess, comprising: (a) providing solid support means insoluble in water or organic solvent solutions; (b) coating said solid support means with organic-solvent based polymeric film means capable of applying one or more biomaterials; and (c) adsorbing or covalently bonding at least one functional biomaterial to said polymeric film means. The polymeric film means, for example, can be used to coat antigens, antibodies, haptens, enzymes, living bacteria, yeasts, etc. (i.e., biomaterials) to a glass (or other) support material, e.g., a glass tube, with surprising retention of the biomaterial's essential characteristic properties. The solid support means include but are not limited to those comprising glass, ceramics, metals, polymers and woods. The device of the invention is particularly useful in various immunoassays using a solid support for separation of phases.

Abstract: A new and useful all plastic disposable thermometer is disclosed, which dispenses with the prior art employment of an aluminum or other metal-based substrate. The novel thermometer can either be employed with opaque indicator means or with heat-sensitive compositions of matter that change color with a change in phase, such as those enumerated in copending application Ser. No. 946,935, filed Sept. 28, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,552.

Abstract: A method for the demonstration and determination of an antigen or antibody in a test fluid, and to a test kit for the application of this method. The determination of the antigen or antibody is performed by utilizing two antibodies raised against the same antigen, but in different animal species. One of the antibodies is labeled. In order to separate the labeled-bound fraction from the labeled-free fraction, an insolubilized antibody directed against the unlabeled antibody is employed. For antigen determination, the unlabeled antibody is the antibody produced from the second animal species; for antibody determination, the unlabeled antibody can be either the antibody to be detected or determined or the antibody produced from the second animal species.

Abstract: A novel temperature indicating device is disclosed comprising: (a) a flat or gradually curved heat-conducting carrier having one or more cavities, each substantially filled with a novel composition of matter (NTICM), as described herein; or in the alternative, with (1) a `classical` composition of matter which changes from opaque to transparent upon a corresponding change from solid to liquid on top of an (2) indicator means located at the bottom of the cavity; said composition of matter, whether novel or not, being substantially without impurities and containing a substantially spherical void space between the bottom of the cavity; and (b) a transparent cover sheet means in sealing engagement with the heat conducting carrier means overlying and above the cavity, which spherical void space acts to magnify the color change if the novel compositions of matter are present or the presence of an indicator means upon melting of the `classical` compositions of matter in the cavity.

Abstract: New and pharmacologically useful tetracyclic compounds are disclosed of the formula (I): ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts therefor, wherein: (a) R is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbons, aralkyl of seven to ten carbons, or an acyl group of one to six carbons;(b) R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each represent hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkyl of one to six carbons, alkoxy of one to six carbons, alkythio of one to six carbons, or trifluromethyl; and(c) R.sub.5 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group of one to six carbons;as well as compositions containing these active compounds and methods of using same. The compounds of the instant invention have a remarkable pharmacological profile--one which clearly indicates the presence of anxiolytic properties with little or no sedative activity. The compounds according to the invention thus possess relatively specific anti-anxiety properties.

Abstract: A novel temperature indicator having a cover layer and including a backing strip with an embossed well stamped therein is provided (in the alternative, the cover layer may be embossed) to form a pocket. The well may contain a matrix carrier which is impregnated with a thermally responsive fusible chemical. The bottom of the well is painted a bright color. If employed, the impregnated matrix is placed over and substantially covers the colored bottom of the well. The top of the well is covered by a transparent film. At a temperature below a predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is substantially invisible due to the impregnated matrix being opaque, and at temperatures above such predetermined level, the colored bottom of the well is clearly visible due to the transparency of the impregnated matrix upon melting of the chemical. The matrix may be eliminated if the backing strip and/or cover layer is air permeable and if the chemical entirely fills the pocket.

Abstract: New and useful stable peroxidase compositions are disclosed which are particularly useful as reagents in enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests. The novel peroxidase compositions contain polyvalent ions of groups 3 and 4 of the Periodic Table. These novel compositions are stable even in low peroxidase concentrations, and are relatively invulnerable to freeze-drying. Preferably, the polyvalent ions selected are those of Al, Zn, Mg, Fe, and Cu.

Abstract: There are disclosed branched chain and cycloaliphatic esters of steroids having the formula: ##STR1## or the 5.alpha.H analog thereof, where R is H or CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.3 ;R.sub.3 is H, OH, CH.sub.3 or Cl;R.sub.4 is H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl;R.sub.5 is H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl or CF.sub.3 ;R.sub.6 is H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxy,halogen or .beta.--OH providing that when R.sub.6 is .beta.--OH, the steroid also contains 9.alpha.--F.The steroid esters have androgenic, anabolic, oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic properties depending upon the ring configurations and the substituent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroid esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, test kit and labeled component for the detection and/or determination of one or more components of the reaction between a specific binding protein and the corresponding bindable substance, in which one or more labelled components are used, that are obtained by coupling particles of a dispersion of a metal, metal compound or polymer nuclei, coated with a metal or metal compound, having a particle size of at least 5 nm, directly or indirectly to the desired component of said reaction.During the reaction or after an adequate reaction time, the physical properties and/or the amount of the metal and/or the formed metal containing agglomerate, is/are determined in the test sample, or optionally after a separation of the bound and free metal-labelled components in one of the derived fractions by methods known as known by those skilled in the immunoassay field.

Abstract: There are disclosed branched chain and cycloaliphatic esters of steroids having the formula: ##STR1## or the 5.alpha.H analog thereof. The steroid esters have androgenic, anabolic, oestrogenic or anti-oestrogenic properties depending upon the ring configurations and the substituent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroid esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the determination of a component of the reaction between a specific binding protein and the substance being specifically bound by such a protein comprising reacting the component to be determined with its binding partner in an insolubilized form, separating the solid phase of the reaction mixture from the liquid phase, reacting the solid phase with a determined amount of a coupling product of the substance to be determined with an enzyme, and finally determining the enzyme activity of the liquid or solid phase of the reaction mixture obtained. .Badd.