Abstract: An apparatus for storing blood plasma separated after fractionation from whole blood within a wrapped hematocrit (capillary) tube. The apparatus is large enough to receive and display a standard laboratory identification label. The apparatus stores plasma from a hematocrit tube that does not include thixotropic gel. The apparatus housing has an intended upright orientation, a central axis, a top end, a bottom end, and side walls defining an internal cavity. A wall with an upper surface and a lower surface divides the internal cavity into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. A reservoir is formed in the upper cavity. A removable cap seals the reservoir. The cap is movable between open and closed positions. A channel within the lower cavity extends axially from the bottom of the housing to the wall. The channel receives and supports the wrapped hematocrit tube while plasma is expelled therefrom and into the reservoir.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses rapidly and cyclically heating and cooling a fluid sample during PCT testing to reduce the duration for full amplification of target DNA using most PCR procedures. Instead of heating and cooling static target solution in a reaction tube, the target solution reciprocates (alternately flows) back and forth within an elongate, thick-walled, small-bore tube. Sections of the tube are maintained at different temperatures so that an ascending/descending temperature gradient is maintained along the length of the tube. As the target solution flows within and along the tube from section to section, it rapidly achieves thermal equilibrium with the tube at each section, thereby rapidly thermally cycling the target solution.

Abstract: An inexpensive, disposable apparatus that visually indicates whether an object has been exposed to either one or both of two predetermined critical temperatures such as a critical high T1 or a critical low T2 temperature. The apparatus includes a housing having a reservoir portion, and a capillary tube portion with a first, proximal end in fluid connection with the reservoir portion and an open, second, distal end. A first fluid is contained within the reservoir portion and a portion of the proximal capillary tube portion. A second fluid is contained within the capillary portion intermediate the first fluid and the distal end. A barrier is located intermediate the first fluid and the second fluid. The barrier prevents the first and second fluids from intermixing until the apparatus is exposed to T1 and then allows at least a portion of the second fluid to mix with the first fluid when the apparatus is exposed to T1 and irreversibly changes an observable characteristic of the second fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating individual human reproductive material from a fertilization dish and storing the material in a cryotank for future fertilization and implantation. The apparatus includes an elongate cryostraw having a first open end and second heat-sealable open end, a channel extending between said ends, and an internal, calibrated volume VC. A displacement bulb is connected to the first end of the cryostraw for admitting and emitting the material into said cryostraw. The bulb has a total volume VB1, an internal cavity with a compressible end volume VB2, a first seal with the first end of said cryostraw; and, means for limiting the intake volume displacement produced in said cryostraw to an amount less than VC no matter how far the bulb is squeezed. The bulb produces less than a unit volume of displacement in the cryostraw when the bulb is squeezed and its volume VB1 is reduced by a unit volume.

Abstract: An apparatus that indicates whether an object has been exposed to a predetermined critical temperature T. The apparatus housing has a reservoir portion and a capillary tube portion in fluid connection with the reservoir portion. A first fluid is contained within the reservoir portion. A second fluid is contained within the capillary portion. A barrier is located intermediate the first fluid and second fluid. The barrier prevents the first and second fluids from intermixing until the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature, and then allows at least a portion of the second fluid to mix with the first fluid when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. An observable characteristic of one of the fluids irreversibly changes when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. The housing completely encapsulates the fluids and barrier within the housing and prevents evaporation of the fluids and barrier from the housing.

Abstract: A rugged, all-electronic fluid dispensing system for use with pipettes or in other contexts indirectly measures fluid flow by using a non-linear system model to correlate vacuum existing at the top of a column of suspended fluid. Non-contact operation is provided to eliminate the need for contact-type closed-loop fluid flow sensing and associated potential cross-contamination risks. In one particular exemplary non-limiting illustrative implementation, an electronic controller within a gun-shaped, cordless self-contained pipetter housing dynamically calculates valve opening time based on a non-linear equation. Calibration is used to derive equation constants, and column vacuum pressure before the valve is opened is used as the independent variable to derive a valve opening time that will result in accurate dispensing of a desired programmed fluid quantity.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump with a bi-component diaphragm pump housing. The housing has a top component and a bottom component that connect along first and second complimenting connection interfaces and form an interior pump chamber, an exterior pressure port, an exterior vacuum port, and fluid communication channels connecting the exterior ports with the interior chamber. The first and second connection interfaces are oriented transverse to one another. The components of the pump are self-locking and can be assembled without the use of tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling bi-directional fluid flow. The apparatus has a pump that operates in a continuous pump cycle having a pressure phase and a vacuum phase. A conduit connects a common pump port to a utility port. An electrically-controlled valve regulates air flow through the conduit. The valve operates between a first position isolating the pump and the utility port, and a second position connecting the pump and the utility port in fluid communication. A detector continuously detects and communicates a signal identifying whether the pump is operating in the pressure or vacuum phase of the pump cycle. A controller uses the detector signal to synchronize actuation of the valve with the pump cycle to generate either continuous positive or continuous negative pressure at the utility port.

Abstract: A disposable, contamination-indicating pipette for metering liquids containing a specified agent. The pipette has a main body portion having a volume V and a diameter D, an open-ended upper connection portion, and an open-ended lower tip portion. An indicator in the connection portion provides an observable indication that liquid has entered the connection portion.

Abstract: A glass safety tube with an encapsulating protective safety barrier that contains the glass tube and its contents if the glass tube is fractured. The glass tube has a length L1, an elongate tubular central portion with a diameter D and a length L2, which is less than L1, an open end, and, a closed end portion integrally formed with the central portion and axially extending a distance L3 from the central portion. A first safety barrier envelops the central portion of the glass tube. A second safety barrier envelops the closed end portion of the glass tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of dispensing precise aliquots of cell culture media from a bulk, sterile, flexible container. The apparatus has load cell, a control valve, and a programmable controller. The container suspends from the load cell within the housing. The load cell continuously transmits to the controller an output signal, which represents the force, i.e., weight, of the bag on the load cell. The controller regulates the flow of media from the container by selectively activating the control valve. The controller precisely measures the volume of fluid media dispensed from the container by continuously calculating the change in weight of the container using the load cell output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus that indicates whether an object has been exposed to a predetermined critical temperature T. The apparatus housing has a reservoir portion and a capillary tube portion in fluid connection with the reservoir portion. A first fluid is contained within the reservoir portion. A second fluid is contained within the capillary portion. A barrier is located intermediate the first fluid and second fluid. The barrier prevents the first and second fluids from intermixing until the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature, and then allows at least a portion of the second fluid to mix with the first fluid when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. An observable characteristic of one of the fluids irreversibly changes when the apparatus is exposed to the critical temperature. The housing completely encapsulates the fluids and barrier within the housing and prevents evaporation of the fluids and barrier from the housing.

Abstract: A pipette dispenser unit having a hand-held pipette dispenser having a pipette connector and a handle, a source of positive and negative air pressure in fluid connection with said pipette connector, and a foot-operated controller for regulating the flow of air between said air pressure source and said pipette connector. A method of metering fluid through a pipette by connecting the pipette to the pipette dispenser, holding the dispenser with one hand, and controlling fluid flow through the pipette by operating the controller with at least one foot.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump with a bi-component diaphragm pump housing. The housing has a top component and a bottom component that connect along first and second complimenting connection interfaces and form an interior pump chamber, an exterior pressure port, an exterior vacuum port, and fluid communication channels connecting the exterior ports with the interior chamber. The first and second connection interfaces are oriented transverse to one another. The components of the pump are self-locking and can be assembled without the use of tools.

Abstract: A rugged, all-electronic fluid dispensing system for use with pipettes or in other contexts indirectly measures fluid flow by using a non-linear system model to correlate vacuum existing at the top of a column of suspended fluid. Non-contact operation is provided to eliminate the need for contact-type closed-loop fluid flow sensing and associated potential cross-contamination risks. In one particular exemplary non-limiting illustrative implementation, an electronic controller within a gun-shaped, cordless self-contained pipetter housing dynamically calculates valve opening time based on a non-linear equation. Calibration is used to derive equation constants, and column vacuum pressure before the valve is opened is used as the independent variable to derive a valve opening time that will result in accurate dispensing of a desired programmed fluid quantity.

Abstract: A pipette gun and holster apparatus having a remote source of positive and negative air pressure. The holster supports the pipette gun above a work table with the pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly. The holster has a base which may be fastened to a vertical wall. A mounting bracket is fixed to and extends transverse to the base. The bracket has a bottomless socket constructed and arranged to receive and removably hold the pipette gun by inserting the pipette connector into the socket. A switch deactivates the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and energizes the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is removed from the holster. A method of metering fluid using a pipette gun and holster apparatus. The holster is removable fastened to a vertical surface next to or proximate a horizontal work table top.

Abstract: A pipette dispenser unit having a hand-held pipette dispenser having a pipette connector and a handle, a source of positive and negative air pressure in fluid connection with said pipette connector, and a foot-operated controller for regulating the flow of air between said air pressure source and said pipette connector. A method of metering fluid through a pipette by connecting the pipette to the pipette dispenser, holding the dispenser with one hand, and controlling fluid flow through the pipette by operating the controller with at least one foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable, preselected-volume, capillary pipette device for picking up and transferring a selected volume of a liquid sample such as blood.

Abstract: A single-hand apparatus for opening and closing the cap of a microcentrifuge tube. The apparatus comprises an elongate base having means on one end for mounting the base on a laboratory ring stand and means on the other end of the base for allowing a technician to hold the microcentrifuge tube in one hand and to open and close the cap without requiring a second hand.

Abstract: A presealed integral hematocrit test assembly includes a holder, a bore molded into the holder, and a blood sample tube mounted on the holder adapted to receive a sample of blood by capillary action, whereby the blood sample tube is filled with blood from its inlet end by capillary action, and the test assembly is centrifuged into a column having a red corpuscles portion, white corpuscles portion, and a plasma portion. The method of using the presealed integral hematocrit test assembly includes the steps of measuring the length of the red cells column portion and measuring the total length of the blood column, and dividing the length of the red cells column portion by the total length of the blood column to make the hematocrit determination.