Abstract: A method and apparatus for sample screening and sample preparation within a vessel sealed with a cap, the vessel having at least a portion of the inside surface coated with a stationary phase having an affinity for analytes of interest. A sample possibly containing such analytes is introduced into the vessel whereby the analytes of interest migrate out of the sample and into the stationary phase for detection by a screening device and for desorption.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a sorbent bed without permitting voids to be created and that can be readily handled by automated systems is disclosed. A solid phase extraction apparatus is disclosed that is most preferably comprised of a body that contains a sorbent bed and a cap that forms an axial sliding seal with the body. A sleeve is provided to retain the body and create an outside geometry similar to that of a standard glass vial. The sliding seal permits voids in the sorbent bed to be eliminated by axial compressive sealing forces. In a most preferred embodiment, conical sealing surfaces are provided at each end of the disclosed cartridge to facilitate removal of the cartridge after the axial sealing forces are released. The cap and the body are also provided with surfaces compatible with luer fittings, that provide flexibility and permit the use of the invention with existing fluid flow systems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting gasses from the sample headspace of a sealed sample container are disclosed. The gasses in the sample headspace are withdrawn by inserting a probe into the sample headspace and permitting the gasses to flow into an external headspace. The probe is then disconnected from the sample to seal the external headspace and the external headspace is then connected to an analytical instrument such as a gas chromatograph to permit the sample gasses to be transferred out of the external headspace and into the instrument. The step of transferring the gasses is preferably accomplished by connecting a source of carrier gas to an inlet port of the external headspace and sweeping the sample gasses from the external headspace.

Abstract: Texture mapping apparatus includes a memory for storing input texture values, interpolators for generating illumination values for sets of display pixels, elements for addressing the memory to generate output texture values, and logic elements for combining the output texture values and the illumination values to generate display color values for each pixel.

Abstract: A medical sensor for measuring oxygen saturation contains encoding means for encoding the type of sensor. An oximeter comprises corresponding decoding means. The type of sensor represents the place of application at the human body. The oximeter uses this information to calculate oxygen saturation in dependence the place of application and for further purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the mass flow of a fluid and for generating an output signal representative of the sensed mass flow are shown to include a conduit formed from resistive material, a voltage source connected to a first point on the conduit, for providing a voltage to the first point in response to a control signal, a differential amplifier wherein the output of the amplifier is representative of the difference in voltage between a second point on the conduit and a third point on the conduit, and a controller for generating the control signal so that the voltage provided to the first point is regulated in relation to the flow of fluid through the conduit. In an especially preferred embodiment the resistive material is Nickel-52. In a further embodiment, the controller generates the control signal so that the voltage applied to the first point is regulated to maintain the average resistance of the conduit at a desired value. In one embodiment, the desired value is a constant value.

Abstract: A method is proposed for determining the perfusion by evaluation of the light emitted by at least one light source and influenced by the arterial blood, by use of optical measuring means which measure the intensity variation as a consequence of the variation in arterial blood volume. According to this method, the perfusion is either displayed as variation in thickness from the sum of the parallel tissue enlargements d or as normalized volume. The perfusion is derived by one or more measurements of light intensity. According to the invention, for the first time a method for determining perfusion as a quantitative value is provided.

Abstract: The bar code on the cylindrical surface of an object is accurately read by rotating the object past a bar code reader so that the bar code passes the reader a plurality of times. Each of the readings from the reader is compared with the other readings and a final reading is provided when several of the same readings is obtained in succession. The object may be rotated pass the reader first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to assure a proper reading in the event that the bar code is backwards. Also, the object may be rotated at a varying speed to obtain the optimum scan speed for the particular density of the bar code.