Abstract: A package assembly for an article comprises first and second housing portions each having a flange around a periphery thereof. The flanges are positioned adjacent to and in engagement with each other. The housing portions together define a compartment. An article is included within the compartment. A removable securing tube is positioned on the flanges for causing positive engagement therebetween to thereby maintain the housing portions together. Retaining dimples or like detents are included on either flange for maintaining the securing tube in position over the flanges.

Abstract: An automated analytical apparatus comprises an introduction station for receiving a plurality of reagent packages. Each package has a plurality of receptacles, at least one of which includes a sample liquid to be analyzed, and at least one of which includes a liquid reagent for forming a reaction mixture with the sample liquid. A liquid transfer station is included for transferring liquid contained in one or more receptacles of a reagent package into, out of or among different receptacles thereof, including the formation of the reaction mixture. A detector is provided for detecting a characteristic of the sample by analyzing the reaction mixture contained in one of the receptacles of a package. A storage area is included within the apparatus for storing a plurality of reagent packages. A shuttle system transports individual reagent packages in any order and in any direction between the introduction area, the liquid transfer station, the detector and the storage area.

Abstract: A self-contained reagent package device for an assay comprises a support member and a plurality of wells in the support member. All of the wells are capable of retaining liquids therein. At least one of the wells has an aperture at its bottom end for the passage of liquids therethrough. The one well includes a carrier to which a reagent is bound and further includes a porous filter positioned between the carrier and the aperture which is capable of retaining liquids used in the assay under normal atmospheric pressure conditions. The filter permits the passage of those liquids, including unbound and soluble substances, at increased pressure within the one well. Further, the filter is capable of retaining the carrier and substances bound thereto. At least one of the wells includes a predetermined amount of reagent therein. Another of the wells is empty so that the specimen to be assayed may be deposited therein.

Abstract: A bandage for the simultaneous application of cold therapy and compression comprises an elastic material for wrapping around a portion of a user's body. A refrigeratable pack includes a tab extending therefrom. The refrigeratable pack is removably held on said elastic material during use so that the tab is accessible for grasping by the user.

Abstract: An intravascular prosthesis comprises a lining rolled upon itself around an axis so that it is introducible into a vascular lumen. An inflatable channel is included for unrolling the lining when the prosthesis is positioned within the lumen so that the lining may engage the vascular wall to provide support therefor. A filter is provided for filtering the blood which passes through the prosthesis when the lining is unrolled.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining one or more characteristics of particles or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow stream for moving particles therethrough substantially one at a time. A light source provides a beam of light to illuminate the particles moving in the stream. An optical path for light scattered and fluorescence emitted by each moving particle has an axis which preferably makes a 90.degree. angle with respect to the axis of the illuminating beam. A beam splitter is positioned in this optical path with an angle of incidence greater that 45.degree. so as to transmit fluorescence and to reflect light scatter. Detectors are provided for detecting the transmitted fluorescence and the reflected light scatter and for associating the scattered light and fluorescence with one or more characteristics of each particle.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus includes a transparent liquid flow chamber and a nozzle for providing a stream of particles, to be analyzed, through the flow chamber. A light source is provided along with a lens for focusing the light from the source at a region within the flow chamber through which the particles pass and for collecting light associated with those particles. Photoreceptors and the like are provided for detecting one or more characteristics of the particles related to light which strikes the particles. A spring or like biasing member provides and maintains stability between the lens and the flow chamber to particularly stabilize the relative axial position of the flow chamber and the lens.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flow apparatus and method for the detection of particles in a sample. Particles are moved, substantially one at a time, in a fluid flow stream. An incident beam of illumination is provided so as to be directed at the particles in the flow stream. Data associated with each moving particle as it passes through the beam of illumination is detected. A class of particles is established, these particles having common characteristics based on the data detected from such class of particles. The data is then stored. Such stored data is compared to data detected from sample particles of an unknown class. A determination is then made that particles from the unknown class belong to the established class as a result of matching respective data.

Abstract: A multiwell tissue culture assembly comprises a plate and a lid. The plate includes a plurality of wells for receiving liquids therein. Upstanding side walls form the outside border of the plate. A ledge is spaced inwardly of the side walls and extends around the plate between the side walls and the wells. The lid is removably positioned on the plate and includes a substantially planar cover extending over the wells. A labyrinth passage is associated with the cover, the side walls, the ledge and the wells to permit air exchange between the wells and the external environment to maintain equalibration therebetween, but to partially prevent air entrance to the wells to minimize evaporation of liquids in the wells.

Abstract: A replica plating device for use with an open-ended container which holds a plurality of cells on a culture medium therein comprises a substantially planar pressing member. A side wall extends upwardly from the pressing member and surrounds same. A skirt is connected to the side wall and extends downwardly from its connection point in the direction toward said pressing member along the exterior surface of said side wall in spaced relation thereto. As a result, the side wall and skirt form a hook for maintaining the device in position on the container to allow limited, controlled movement of the device for replica plating of cells within the container. A method of using a device substantially as described above for obtaining print-replicas of cells or the like is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: A disposable razor comprises a body having a blade end and a handle end. The blade end includes a razor blade edge protruding from one side thereof. The handle end is adapted to be grasped during use of the razor and is separable from the body. Within the handle end is a groove for protectively covering the razor blade edge after the razor has been used and the handle end separated from the body of the razor.

Abstract: An umbrella comprises a cover having open and closed positions. A hollow pole supports the cover. An operative wind-up assembly for selectively opening and closing the cover includes a mechanism mounted on the pole. A cable extends from the wind-up mechanism through the inside of the pole for activating the cover. Part of the wind-up mechanism includes a rotatable handle with an interiorly positioned spool. One end of the cable is attached around the spool for winding the cable when the handle is rotated to cause opening of the cover.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for electrochemical analysis of a substance comprises a housing and electrodes for sensing selective gases and ions within the housing. A sampler is associated with the housing for introducing the substance to be analyzed into the housing and for allowing the selective gas and ion content thereof to be sensed without physical contact with the gas and ion sensing electrodes. A method of detecting gases and ions in a substance comprises withdrawing a quantity of a substance from a source and directly contacting the substance with a gas and ion permeable medium as it is withdrawn from the source. Gases and ions are caused to permeate through the medium whereupon the gases and ions are detected by a sensing mechanism.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining one or more characteristics of particles or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow stream for moving particles therethrough substantially one at a time. A light source provides a spectrally rich beam of light directed toward the particles moving in the stream. A dispersion prism separates the spectrally rich light into a plurality of spatially separated components thereof so as to selectively illuminate the particles with one or more of the separated light components. A detector is included for detecting light with respect to each moving particle and for associating the detected light with one or more characteristics of that particle.

Abstract: A self-contained reagent package device for an assay comprises a support member and a plurality of wells in the support member. All of the wells are capable of retaining liquids therein. One of the wells has on its interior surfaces an immunoreactive substance for carrying out the assay. At least one of the wells includes a predetermined amount of reagent therein. Another of the wells is empty so that the specimen to be assayed may be deposited therein. A protective cover is sealed over the open ends of the wells to maintain the incorporated reagents in stable form prior to use. The cover preferably does not seal the open end of one of the wells which serves as a specimen collecting well.

Abstract: A combination humidifier/water distiller apparatus comprises a container for holding tap water. A heater is provided for heating tap water in the container to a vaporized state. A condenser, positioned over the container, condenses the vaporized tap water into distilled water. A receptacle is positioned under the condenser for the collection of the distilled water. The receptacle includes a water track and valve for removing distilled water from the apparatus for other purposes. A nebulizer is included which converts the distilled water into a fine spray. A passage, associated with the nebulizer and the receptacle, supplies distilled water from the receptacle to the nebulizer so that distilled water is nebulized to a fine spray. The nebulizer includes a nozzle or the like for delivering the fine spray to the atmosphere to thereby humidify the surrounding air.

Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of fluid flow through a conduit comprises at least one thermally sensitive element capable of producing a measurement value related to temperature located within the conduit. This element is exposed to the flow of fluid through the conduit. A second thermally sensitive element is capable of producing a reference value related to temperature of fluid ambient to the conduit. The reference value is substantially unaffected by heat generated by the second thermally sensitive element. An electrical circuit is provided for determining the measurement and reference values and for using the same to produce an indication which substantially eliminates errors due to changes in the ambient temperature and caused by velocity cooling of the first thermally sensitive element. This indication is representative of fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining one or more characteristics of particles or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow stream for moving particles therethrough substantially one at a time. An arc lamp provides a beam of incoherent light to illuminate the particles moving in the flow stream. A prism in the light beam modifies non-uniform incoherent light, as provided by said arc lamp, to a more uniform beam of illumination which is directed to the flowing particles. A detector is included for detecting light with respect to each moving particle and for associating the detected light with one or more characteristics of the particles.

Abstract: A pouring spout for a container, particularly for decantation by pouring, of a liquid phase from the container and formed with a fluid passageway having a screen disposed therein for the removal of solids from the liquid being poured from the container. A vent is provided in the pouring spout to facilitate pressure equalization to minimize or eliminate ebullition.

Abstract: A pouring spout for a container, particularly for decantation by pouring, of a liquid phase from the container and formed with a fluid passageway having a screen disposed therein for the removal of solids from the liquid being poured from the container. This screen includes diverging grate members defining increasing open areas at increasing pouring angles of the spout. A vent is provided in the pouring spout to facilitate pressure equalization to minimize or eliminate ebullition.