Abstract: A sample collection arrangement for obtaining organism-populated water samples from locations in the environment that are highly restricted in terms of physical access, which comprises a telescopic pole and one or more containers each of which, together with the pole, is designed to accommodate the physical restrictions encountered in sampling, such as severely grated storm drains, and a coupling arrangement demountably coupling the container and the pole that enables the container to be flexibly oriented in relation to the water source through virtually any acute angle relative to the pole's longitudinal dimension. Multiple embodiments of the container and coupling arrangement, as a well as a security component with extension capability, are disclosed.

Abstract: A simple, purely mechanical, hand-held yet handleless, do-it-yourself hair trimming device employing conventional razor blades and operable by a typical combing motion. The blades are sandwiched between a base element and a mating backing element, both of which have one or more arrays of comb-like teeth and the backing element may be a comb per se. The base and back elements are disengagably adjustably secured together by a spring-loaded thumb screw/cup nut configuration which allows ease of blade replacement and versatility through user selection from multiple tooth array/blade edge combinations, intended to maximize the efficiency of the cut with regard to the various different areas of the head.

Abstract: A single-rod pH measuring arrangement comprised of a pH-sensitive glass electrode and a reference electrode electrically communicating with the solution to be measured via a salt bridge. A plastic containing member partially surrounds the glass electrode in a manner providing an aperture through which the pH-sensitive part of the glass electrode projects. The edge of the plastic member lies adjacent to the surface of the glass electrode whereby the space between the two constitutes the salt bridge, with the latter being particularly insensitive to reference electrode problems such as solid protein layer deposition due to the blood coagulation system which leads to reference electrode potential instability.

Abstract: A disposable electrode for direct transcutaneous derivation of patient biopotentials, such as the ECG of an unborn fetus, the active electrode element of which has a tuberous pin configuration with at least one tuberosity arranged along its length for enabling atraumatic attachment to and removal from the patient. The active electrode element may be of curved and multi-tuberous configuration for particularly facilitating application and firm attachment thereof substantially parallel to the skin surface. Several embodiments of disposable applicator are disclosed by which the sense of feel of the effort of and during application is retained.

Abstract: A method for producing cross-sectional images using an ultrasonic imaging unit operating on the pulse-echo principle, which unit includes a transducer system having a stationary elongated array of adjacent transducer elements with transverse electrode segments adjacent one another on one side of the array. Successively and cyclically selected groups of adjacent elements are energized to produce an ultrasonic beam as a result of pulsed signals being applied to the corresponding electrode segments.

Abstract: Spectrophotometer intended in particular for the optical analysis of samples in a rotatory analyser. In order to attain the characteristics required of a modern spectrophotometer for clinical chemistry and to attain in particular a high reproducibility of the measurements, the spectrophotometer comprises a flash tube, an stabilizing optical device for device for deriving a light beam having a constant spatial distribution from each flash from the flash tube, a grating monochromator for dispersing the light delivered by the stabilizing device and for delivering a beam of filtered light, an optical element for dividing the filtered beam to produce two beams, the first of which travels through a sample for analysis and the second of which reaches a detector which delivers a reference signal corresponding to the intensity of the second beam, and a second detector placed to receive the beam emerging from the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the size of particles in Brownian motion by measurement based on analysis of fluctuations in the intensity of light diffused by the particles when they are illuminated by a ray of coherent light waves. The parameter(s) of interest is (are) determined in dependence on at least two double integrals R.sub.1, R.sub.2 having the general form ##EQU1## where the values .tau.a, .tau.b, .tau.c, .tau.d define the integration ranges in the delay-time .tau. region and where .DELTA.t represents an integration range with respect to time from an initial instant .tau..sub.o. Means are provided for forming signals representing the double integrals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2. A computer unit receives the signals and generates an output signal corresponding to the aforementioned parameter(s) of the autocorrelation function.

Abstract: A power circuit for a discharge lamp, in particular a flash lamp serving as light source in an optical analysis apparatus which comprises an electric power source outputting a d.c. voltage and capable of reabsorbing electrical energy, which also comprises an energy transferring circuit inserted between the electric power source and a first capacitor connected to the lamp, the capacitor being charged via the energy transferring circuit and adapted to store the energy required for each discharge across the lamp, the energy transferring circuit comprising a first current path comprising the primary winding of an autotransformer and adapted to transfer current from the electric power source to the first capacitor until the voltage across it reaches a predetermined value, and a second current path comprising a second capacitor for storing part of the surplus or non-used energy stored in the autotransformer during the charging of the first capacitor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing signals in order to determine certain parameters of their autocorrelation function, the autocorrelation function being defined by the general formula ##EQU1## The method and apparatus are applicable to determining the size of particles in Brownian motion by measurement based on analysis of fluctuations in the intensity of light diffused by the particles when they are illuminated by a ray of coherent light waves. The parameter(s) of interest is (are) determined in dependence on at least two double integrals R.sub.1, R.sub.2 having the general form ##EQU2## WHERE THE VALUES .tau.A, .tau.B, .tau.C, .tau.D DEFINE THE INTEGRATION RANGES IN THE DELAY-TIME .tau. REGION AND WHERE .DELTA.T REPRESENTS AN INTEGRATION RANGE WITH RESPECT TO TIME FROM AN INITIAL INSTANT .tau..sub.O. Means are provided for forming signals representing the double integrals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2.

Abstract: Direct-acting respirator arrangement capable of convenient sterilization in minimal time following each use, through structuring which permits integral removal of those component parts of the respirator that come into contact with the respiratory gas flow. There is provided a fixed structure incorporating a pump unit which is comprised of a variable volume chamber having a fixed wall part supported in the structure and a movable wall part operatively connected to a driven reciprocating movement element. The fixed wall part of the chamber is rigidly attached to a member through which at least the chamber feed and delivery lines extend. The member is provided with means enabling releasable connection to the structure. The movable wall part is provided with means for releasable connection to the reciprocating element.

Abstract: Apparatus for diagnostic analysis of patient-installed pacemaker devices. Patient connection is made via standard ECG leads and an electrically floating front end subassembly having means providing precise gain to the paced ECG input signal and conversion thereof to a digital form via very high rate, monobit delta-sigma modulation digitization. The front end also contains special overload indication circuitry, a reciprocal attenuation network to ensure high fidelity of the information being processed by the system and crystal clock controlled calibration means for providing a validity check of virtually the entire system. A pacer pulse sensing network provides as separate outputs in analog form the on-line, real-time, paced ECG and the individual pulses generated by the pacemaker device.

Abstract: Analysis of and apparatus for studying simple or complex agglutination reactions, such as for blood analysis and in particular blood groupings in which the specimen is mixed with at least one reagent in a vessel of predetermined shape and this mixture is incubated and thereafter centrifuged in this vessel. The nature of the reaction, the operations performed on the mixture and the shape of the vessel are such as to provide at cessation of the centrifuging the accumulation of the agglutinated particles at a particular location in the vessel. Following a waiting period in which the mixture is given the opportunity to partly or substantially entirely move under the influence of gravity away from said location, the path of said movement is observed by an optical arrangement which enables determination of the nature of the reaction, i.e. the presence or absence of agglutinated or non-agglutinated elements is observed after a time interval sufficient to permit their separation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-speed automatic inspection and processing of large numbers of solid discrete particular objects such as multicolored capsule dose forms in regard to color and/or defect detection, in which virtually all unacceptable material is isolated and an accurate running and total count of acceptable material is provided. The objects are transported in a number of channels past respective optical heads comprising an electro-optics system, the transport mechanism being arranged to provide signals representative of relative object location. The electro-optics system is comprised operatively of separate color recognition and shape inspection subsystems. For the former, a plurality of optical channels are arranged in each optical head operatively in P groups of R optical channels each. The R optical channels of each group view different object segments to provide a spatially integrated output for minimizing noise and particularly the effects of printing on the objects.

Abstract: A directional doppler ultrasound system for biosignal detection and acquisition, particularly for use in fetal monitoring, for example, prior to and during labor and preferably employing a wide beam transducer arrangement, the system enabling operator selection of signals effected by physiologic events having associated therewith motion in given different directions (i.e., the towards and away directions relative to the transducer arrangement). Such a system employs a pair of mixers in which the receive echoes of the transmitted carrier signal are beat with a portion of the carrier signal then being transmitted, wherein the carrier signal input to one of the mixers is phase shifted by 90.degree. relative to the other. The mixer outputs are passed through a constant 90.degree. phase difference network where one input receives a 90.degree. phase shift relative to the other, and both are then coupled to sum and difference amplifiers to provide respective towards and away directional doppler information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for standardizing, in terms of a pre-established range of acceptable in vitro release and/or in vivo response, production of tabletted formulations which have a dependency on tablet hardness, through control of the maximum tabletting compression force developed by the tablet press employed, and for providing an individual momentary as well as permanent readout in digital form of the maximum compression force developed for each tabletting event. One or more tablets are compressed from a particular batch of formulation at selected different press compression force settings. These tablets are processed to derive data regarding in vitro release and/or in vivo response with a determination of an optimum value being made directly from or by interpolation of the resulting data. This optimum value is correlated to a press setting and the press is then set thereat for the tabletting of the bulk of the batch of formulation.

Abstract: Process and device for the automatic dilution of solutions using a peristaltic pump. Successive dilution processes can be carried out with a relative precision that remains high for a long time and without manual interference, with the advantage that the device is easily adjustable to any desired degrees of dilution. The peristaltic pump rotates continuously at a constant rate in one direction and the suction line immerses alternately, in each case during a certain number of pump strokes, in the solution to be diluted and in a diluent. A dilution operation is comprised of three stages, in which the suction tube is immersed in the diluent in the first and last stages and in the solutions to be diluted in the middle stage.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for developing and controlling pharmaceutical granulations from a tabletting characteristics standpoint, involving instrumenting a tablet press to derive both the peak compression force and peak ejection force information for each tabletting event in convenient digital form. The thusly derived compression and ejection force information is automatically scaled to desired units of force and utilized in compression and ejection profiles and in the calculation of the average and standard deviations for both compression and ejection in the pursuit of optimization of the tabletted granulation regarding such tabletting characteristics as compressibility, lubricity, relative flow, compression failure point, and tendency of the formed tablets to adhere to the tablet press punches.

Abstract: There is disclosed instrumentation for use in connection with one or more tablet presses of various types, and in particular rotary tablet presses, for virtually any reasonable combination and number of such tablet presses. Tablet formation information, in particular compression and ejection force information, tablet capping information and information related to punch withdrawal is provided and processed by such instrumentation. This information is selectively applied to converting means which renders the selected information in a convenient data form for processing. Selection of the information may be made for example based on the need or desire to monitor a particular tablet press, tablet press station and/or individual tablet die/punch set combination.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for high-speed automatic inspection and processing of large numbers of solid discrete particular objects such as multicolored capsule dose forms in regard to color and/or defect detection, in which virtually all unacceptable material is isolated and an accurate running and total count of acceptable material is provided. The objects are transported in a number of channels past respective optical heads comprising an electro-optics system, the transport mechanism being arranged to provide signals representative of relative object location. One or more rotary transport drums communicating with the front end of the transport mechanism are also provided to enable additional viewing of the capsules in either or both "end-on" orientations, in order to effect a more complete body of information for defect detection. The electro-optics system is comprised operatively of separate color recognition and shape inspection subsystems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic echo sounding technique for reducing unwanted echoes from reflectors outside the focal line of a focused ultrasonic field is disclosed. In this technique at least two pulse-defined ultrasonic waves are successively transmitted. The amplitudes of the said waves are functions of an angle .phi. which is generated about the axis of the source of ultrasound. Echoes from the reflected waves are received from reflectors both on and outside the focal line and multiplied by an amplitude factor which is a function of the above mentioned angle .phi.. Echo signals associated with echoes having the same transit time are then added together.