Abstract: A process for magnetic immunoseparation of cells, in particular bacteria, fetal cells, stock cells of bone marrow and circulating cancerous cells, of the type consisting in affixing the target cells on paramagnetic balls and in causing a magnetic field to act on a sample containing the affixed cells, the free cells and the surplus paramagnetic balls, in order to isolate the paramagnetic balls, in that the sample is caused to circulate in a tube the section of which is much less than the length over which the magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: A method for counting cells and microorganisms in a fluid medium, particularly in food and biological fluids, by labelling with a colored or fluorescent label which selectively labels the microorganisms and cells to be detected, and counting the labelled microorganisms and cells, wherein said colored or fluorescent label is a stoichiometric label, particularly a DNA or RNA label, the microorganisms and cells are concentrated at the same time as or prior to counting by means of a fluid medium concentration step, and counting is achieved by measuring the overall brightness of the concentrated medium and comparing it with a calibration curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure for counting faintly luminescent particles, and relates specifically to a procedure for counting cells and microorganisms marked with a colored or fluorescent stain or marker that selectively marks the microorganisms and cells to be counted, characterized by the fact that the said procedure is implemented with the aid of a photon-accumulator camera and includes the acquisition of at least one low-resolution image I, the threshold processing of the said low-resolution image in order to obtain at least one digital image Ib, at least one dimensional filtration stage, and the counting of the number N of objects belonging to a given class of sizes in the digital image Ib.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of automatic analysis of elements in weak concentration on a support of objects of low occurrence, having a high-contrast surface state, consisting of illuminating the observation zone with a first light source (5) emitting in a first wavelength range, and a second source (4) emitting in the excitation spectrum of the objects (23, 32) of low occurrence, proceeding to focus image acquisition means and after focusing triggering the accumulation of photons emitted by the objects (23, 32) of low occurrence illuminated with a source (4) emitting in the excitation spectrum of said objects (23, 32), characterized in that one proceeds to modify the focusing of the image aquisition means until maximization of the contrast of a zone (30) in said first wavelength range, said zone (30) being dissociatable from the observation zone illuminated from the second light source.

Abstract: A stage (1) for fixing at least one porous or non-porous medium (27) that carries one or more samples to be observed and to be analyzed by means of a microscope. The stage includes a hole (10) for receiving a plate (20; 28) for supporting the medium (27) and thus for observing the samples carried thereby. The stage is designed for pressing the medium (27) against the support plate (20; 28) by suction. The invention is applicable to the biological industry for rapid and indexed analysis under a microscope of filters and other media carrying multiple samples.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for filtering a plurality of liquid or gas fluid samples containing particles to be filtered, such as bacteria or cells. The apparatus includes a filter; a device for simultaneously and independently filtering fluid samples on the filter; and apparatus for force filtering the samples. The device for simultaneously and independently filtering fluid samples includes at least one gasket including a plurality of through perforations held clamped in a sealed manner against one face of the filter by appropriate clamps. The clamps have perforations located for being brought into alignment with the perforations through the gasket and for cooperating therewith to put an upstream face of the gasket into communication, via the filter, with a plurality of independent inlets for samples of fluid to be filtered, and to put a downstream face of the gasket into communication with a plurality of likewise independent outlets for the fluid samples.