Abstract: A disposable shield designed to sheath a patient control device prevents contaminants from contacting or entering the device. The shield has a bi-directional opening through which the hand-operated device is inserted and removed from the shield. A removable sealing device is used to preserve the integrity of the shield when the sealing device is removed. The shield can therefore be changed each time the device is handled by a different person, minimizing the chances of cross-contamination. The shield also extends the life of the device by preventing biological contaminants from contacting the device.

Abstract: Small dielectric particles such as biological cells or DNA molecules are suspended in a quantity of liquid within a container. A pair of spaced apart electrodes are immersed in the liquid and a coil surrounds the region between the electrodes. First and second electric signals are applied to the electrodes and the coil, respectively, to thereby generate substantially orthogonal oscillating electric and magnetic fields which are at the same frequency but approximately ninety degrees out of phase. By selecting the frequency, particles having different polarization relaxation frequencies and sizes will migrate at different velocities and thereby sort into various fractions.

Abstract: A single wire electrode is supported at one end by a cylinder cap which has pins for guiding the electrode into an upwardly opening fusion chamber defined by a heavy metal cylinder. In a second embodiment, multiple secondary wire electrodes are spaced circumferentially about a central primary wire electrode. In a third embodiment, a laminate wire mesh electrode assembly is mounted within a rectangular cartridge fusion chamber.

Abstract: A glass slide has parallel tubular electrodes for performing electro cell fusion. Fluid may be pumped through the electrodes to dissipate heat to enhance the yield of viable hybrids. An alternate embodiment sandwiches a gasket and parallel tubular electrodes between glass slides to permit cell fusion in a closed sterile environment.