Abstract: To sequence DNA, DNA samples marked with flourscent infrared dye are applied at a plurality of locations for electrophoresing in a plurality of channels through a gel electrophoresis slab. The channels are scanned with a laser and a sensor, that include a microscope focused on the gel slab. The focal point and slab are adjusted with respect to each other so that the focal point of the microscope remains on the gel slab during a scan. The data from the scan is directly used to amplitude modulate density readings on a display, and the scan is displayed in a horizontal sweep of a cathode ray tube, whereby said cathode ray tube provides intensity displays of bands representing DNA. Different sizes of glass gel sandwiches may be mounted to the same console for different sequencing tasks.

Abstract: A variable-orifice fluid restrictor for use with a supercritical extractor or chromatograph includes an inlet line for fluid at a pressure above its critical pressure, an extended tubular probe having an inner and an outer surface and a proximal and a distal end. The proximal end of the probe is disposed toward the inlet line. The distal end of the probe includes an adjustable orifice means adapted for metering the fluid and having first and second orifice members and an adjusting stem having first and second ends. The adjustable orifice means is adjacent to the outer surface of the probe and the orifice means is adjustable with the adjusting stem. The end of the adjusting stem is located at the distal end of the probe and is adapted for moving the first orifice member with respect to the second orifice member to control the adjustable orifice for varying the restriction of fluid passing through the adjustable orifice.

Abstract: In a piston pump for pumping liquid carbon dioxide at a temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures at least as high as 7500 psi at an outlet flow rate in excess of 10 milliliters per minute, the inlet to the pump and the pumphead are each cooled by thermoelectric heat exchangers that are air cooled. The pump is a cam-driven, single-plunger pump with a cam profile that enables the pumping system to avoid distructive reverse torque on the cam, gear train and drive motor after the cam passes top dead center. The volume leaving the pump is determined by measuring only pressure or other parameter related to flow and movement of the plunger. The piston of the pump is supported on both sides of the seal and the support for the piston within the pumphead are machined consentrically and colinearly to the seal gland.

Abstract: To reduce damage to surrounding tissue while fragmenting some tissue such as for example not damaging the capsular wall while removing the lens during cataract removal surgery or not damaging artery or vein walls during bypass surgery while freeing the artery or vein to be transplanted, an incision is made for the insertion of surface-discriminating, rotating, fragmenting handpiece. The surface-discriminating fragmenting handpiece fragments and permits aspiration of the tissue without damaging the surrounding wall by fragmenting surfaces of higher inertia material but moving at a rate of speed and having openings between them of such a size that the more integrated lower mass, more flexible and smoother tissue is moved away from the fragmenting zone and the higher mass, lower flexibility or rougher tissue is fragmented.

Abstract: To draw samples of fluid at remote locations, one of a plurality of sampler configurations is selected from configuations that have a universal base, a selected one of a composite container holder or locator, 12-container rain water runoff container holder and sequential sample multiple container holder; clampdown, control section and cover. The selected configuration is brought to the remote site. Samples are drawn at the site in a predetermined time sequence. After a sequence is completed, a new selected container carrier is put into an insulated shipping carton with ice and containers and brought to the site. At the site, the old container holder is removed and the ice is poured into the shipping carton. The new container carrier is inserted into the sampler and ice put in with it. The old container carrier with sample in the containers is put into the shipping carton with the remaining ice and brought to the laboratory.

Abstract: To reduce damage to surrounding tissue while fragmenting some tissue such as for example not damaging the capsular wall while removing the lens during cataract removal surgery or not damaging artery or vein walls during bypass surgery while freeing the artery or vein to be transplanted, an incision is made for the insertion of surface--a handpiece tip. The tiop is rotated and reciprocated ultrasonically at the same time so that tissue is fragmented by the combined motion of a fragmenting surface perpendicular to the surface and at an angle to the surface many times during a single revolution or part of a revolution.

Abstract: A brush applicator includes inner and outer shells with a cylindrical brush mounted to the inner shell in a cylindrical groove rimmed by clamping means that are compressed against the brush when the outer shell is forced over the inner shell.

Abstract: A method of making a sensor wherein flexible conduit means is assembled with a fixture having a strain-sensitive film and electrical connections are made to the film whereby variations in fluid pressure in the conduit means can be detected.

Abstract: To supply supercritical fluid to an automatic supercritical fluid extractor and collect extract from the extractor, sample holding cartridges are lifted one by one in series by an elevator plug into a pressure chamber. An inlet at the top of the cartridge engages a pressure vessel inlet for the extractant so that extractant flows into the cartridge and into the space between the cartridge and inner walls of the pressure chamber. The outlets from the cartridge and pressure vessel communicate with the collector and exhaust through passageways in the plug. The plug has cleaning ports for cleaning seals and the outlet from the cartridge flows past the seals. The collector lifts vials into place and can precool the collection solvent, and later as part of the collection procedure, heat and pressurize the collector.

Abstract: To detect bands in an electrophoresis capillary tube having a liquid separating medium, a light source and a light detector of a monitor are positioned on opposite sides of the capillary tube with the light source transmitting light through a first slit and light passing to the detector through a second slit after it has passed through the capillary tube. The first and second slits are aligned with the direction of motion of bands, have a maximum length of less than 500 micrometers and a maximum width of less than 200 micrometers. There are no vertical lengths in the capillary tube having a dimension greater than one third of its length between a sample injecting end and a detecting end of the capillary tube.

Abstract: A preparatory supercritical extraction cartridge includes a chamber for sample having a volume in the range of 20 cubic centimeters to 2,000 cubic centimeters. An inlet and an outlet are fastened to the cartridge walls by threads and sealed to said cartridge walls With spring loaded seals so that they can be removed with a torque requirement of less than 35 pound inches. Inlet and outlet tubing are fastened to the inlet and outlet by quick release connectors.

Abstract: To boost RPM and to minimize the back and forth transfer of kinetic energy between a crank and a connector/reciprocating member in mechanisms having a stroke that is four times the crankpin offset, a connector which attaches the reciprocating member to the crank is weighted with counterweights to produce an effective connector center of mass at a location on the connector that, while rotating around the crankpin defines a motion perpendicular to the oscillation of the reciprocating member such that the resulting translational inertia of the connector is equal to but perpendicular and ninety degrees out of phase with the translational inertia of the reciprocating member so that their combined kinetic energy is constant, thus resulting in a zero transfer in energy between the crank and the connector/reciprocating member through each revolution unless external force is applied to the crank or to the reciprocating member.

Abstract: In an ellipsometer, a phase-modulated, polarized light beam is applied to a sample, electrical signals are obtained representing the orthogonal planes of polarization of the light after it has interacted with the sample and the constants of the sample are calculated from the two resulting electrical signals. The phase modulation is sufficiently small so that the calibration errors are negligible. For this purpose, the phase modulator, phase modulates the light within a range of no more than ten degrees peak to peak. The two electrical signals are expanded by Fourier analysis and the coefficients thereof utilized to calculate psi and delta.

Abstract: To avoid deposits on the restrictor that channels extractant into a collector, a heated capillary tube pressure release restrictor, has a thermally insulated outlet end in a collecting trap substantially colder than the capillary tube. The restrictor is heated between the insulation and the capillary tube by Joulean heating. The solvent in the trap is at a pressure of 5 to 200 psi above atmospheric pressure. The thermal resistance of the insulation is selected to reduce the heat added to the extractant to a minimum and yet cause the temperature of the extractant to be in a range within which it is sufficiently hot so it does not freeze when added to the collection solvent but not so hot as to reduce partitioning of the extract and extractant before the extractant leaves the collection solvent. It has a thermal conductivity no greater than 60 BTU's per hour, per square foot, per inch for a one degree Fahrenheit difference.

Abstract: A composite wastewater sampler includes a flow-through-chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port with a path between them that gradually increases in depth and width and then decreases in width. It is shaped to cause fluid to: (1) flow from the inlet port; (2) drop to a lower level of flow within the flow-through-chamber; (3) gradually adjust in cross-sectional shape to the outlet port; and (4) flow back into a wastewater pipe. A sampling nozzle extends into the flow-through-chamber adjacent to the inlet port and within the path of the downwardly flowing wastewater so that wastewater exiting the port contacts the nozzle and flows downwardly across it.

Abstract: A weighted jig fish lure includes a combination hook and orientation device and plastic bait. The combination hook and orientation device includes a lead head with an eyelet to which a fishing line may be attached, a bait attachment mechanism and a fish hook molded in the lead. The weighted orientation device is attached to and positioned with respect to the hook to cause the hook to point forward, below the shank of the hook to hook the fish in the lower jaw. The eyelet and bait attachment mechanism are formed of loops of wire molded in the lead head. The wire is continuous and passes through the eyelet of the fish hook.

Abstract: To sequence DNA automatically, DNA marked with near infrared fluorescent dyes are electrophoresed in a plurality of channels through a gel electrophoresis slab wherein the DNA samples are resolved in accordance with the size of DNA fragments in the gel electrophoresis slab into fluorescently marked DNA bands. The separated samples are scanned photoelectrically with a laser diode and a sensor, wherein the laser scans with scanning light at a scanning light frequency within the absorbance spectrum of said fluorescently marked DNA samples and light is sensed at the emission frequency of the marked DNA. The light is modulated from said laser at a predetermined modulation frequency and fluorescent light emitted by said DNA bands at said modulation frequency is detected, whereby background noise from the medium through which the light is transmitted is discriminated against.

Abstract: To pump supercritical carbon dioxide into a supercritical extractor without overpressure in the reservoir and to record the volume being delivered, the pumping speed is controlled and the volume pumped is determined from a pressure-related signal used in a feedback circuit. The feedback controls the velocity of pumping in conjunction with programmed values to avoid destructive reverse torque. A cam in the pump controls piston stroke, has a depressurization portion with an initial slope equal to but in the opposite direction of the final slope, rounded transition slopes, increasing linear velocity to the refill portion and constant velocity in the refill portion.

Abstract: In the process of the invention, the seed to be treated, a predetermined amount of solid matrix material and a predetermined amount of water are admixed and the mixture allowed to stand, preferably in a container which allows entry of air but which reduces evaporative losses, for example, a closed container with a small top opening, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to allow the seeds to imbibe water from the matrix and come to a water content equilibrium sufficient to enhance resultant plant vigor, i.e., enhance emergence, growth or yield characteristics, but short of that which would cause the seed to sprout. The seeds and matrix may be inoculated with beneficial microorganisms during priming. Moreover, inoculate seeds and matrix may be used to inoculate soil.