Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and a medium for simultaneous determination of the number and presence of living fecal coliform and Escherichia coli in a sample comprising 6-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucose or isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside as a galactosidase inducer and methyl-beta-D-glucuronide as a glucuronidase inducer. The sterile semi-solid medium also comprises non-target bacterial inhibitors, target bacterial enhancers, and multiple fluorogen and/or chromogan substrates that produce color and fluorescence upon cleavage by a specific enzyme expressed by the target bacteria in which expression is enhanced. The simultaneous detection of total coliforms via its expression of beta-galactosidase, and Escherichia coli as the target bacteria via its expression of beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase is achieved rapidly and efficiently using this medium.

Abstract: Cationic charge modified microporous hydrophilic membranes are provided, as well as preparation of the same by post-treatment. Typically, as an illustration, a microporous hydrophilic membrane substrate which contains non-leachable polymeric additive having functional groups is treated in an alkaline solution for simultaneous or sequential reaction with 1) a primary charge modifying agent which is an epichlorohydrin modified polyamine, and 2) a secondary polymeric charge modifying agent containing a fixed formal positive charge (or for reaction with the primary charge modifying agent alone); then cured at elevated temperature; and finally washed and dried. The cationically charged microporous membranes are used in various applications such as the filtration of fluids and the macromolecular transfer from electrophoresis gels.

Abstract: A vacuum filter assembly for filtering a feed liquid includes a filter membrane held in a cover attachable to the filtrate container. The cover is formed with a feed liquid nipple on one side of the filter membrane, a filtrate outlet tube on the other side of the filter body, and a vacuum port. A portion of the surface of the membrane is non-wettable by the feed liquid to facilitate restarting the filtration if the filtration is interrupted. Also, the vacuum port includes a vacuum tube covered at its end by another membrane having pores permeable by air but not by the feed liquid, for fixing the maximum level of the filtrate within the filtrate container.

Abstract: The invention is a membrane comprising polymerized monomer and oligomer components. A primary membrane oligomer component is selected from acrylic polyester urethanes, and a secondary membrane monomer component is selected from 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylacrylamide and perfluoromonomers and perfluoroacrylic monomers. The membrane is further characterized as being microporous, permeable and having a thickness of less than 0.1 inches.

Abstract: A process for preparing charge modified filtration media including the steps of forming a filtration microporous or macroporous membranous or nonmembranous medium structure having internal and external surfaces and including a quaternizable nitrogen containing polymer exposed at the internal and external surfaces, permanently charging the exposed quaternizable nitrogen, and rendering the polymer insoluble in solution and permanently adhered within the filtration medium structure.Charge modified filtration media including a filtration medium structure as described having internal and external surfaces, characterized by a quaternizable nitrogen containing polymer exposed at the internal and external surfaces and having permanently charged quaternizable nitrogen. The quaternized nitrogen containing polymer is insoluble in solution and permanently adhered within the filtration medium structure.

Abstract: Microporous membranes can be prepared which comprise a polymer which is a hydrophobic polymer in bulk form and which has an equilibrium water absorption from about 2% to about 4%, but is hydrophilic when precipitated as a membrane. The membranes are further characterized by high water flow rates at any given bubble point.

Abstract: A flexible inflatable filter assembly or device is provided in pouch or sleeve form for filtration of fluid comprising at least one fluid porous dead-end filter panel located internally within the pouch or sleeve with the opposite end edges of the filter panel sealed respectively to first and second polymer film fluid-barrier panels that form the pouch or sleeve so that the respective pouch or sleeve is divided into separate internal chambers, one of which may serve for collection of permeate fluid. The device has a flat two-dimensional form when empty but can assume an inflated three-dimensional form when containing fluid under pressure. The device being constructed of sterilizable thin plastic film, can be cut into transverse segments (for purposes of analysis, further processing, etc.) which can be a segment comprising each filter panel or a segment containing a liquid or non-liquid fluid permeate.

Abstract: Porous blended polymer (polyethersulfone, phenoxy resin) filtration membranes are provided which are useful for filtering macromolecules or particles from fluids. The invention also concerns a process for filtering matter from a fluid, employing the membranes.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for protecting patients and equipment from the damaging effects of stray laser light emissions. Porous barrier materials are selected to have a pore geometry functionally related to the wavelength of emitted laser so as to cause destructive interference of the light beam when the beam encounters the porous material.

Abstract: Microporous filtration membranes are provided which are useful for absorbing or adsorbing cationic atoms, molecules or particles from liquids or gases. The invention also concerns novel strongly acidic copolymer solutions capable of crosslinking, and a process for preparing such solutions and making strongly acidic or anionic charge modified microporous filtration membranes therefrom. The copolymer of the solutions is synthesized from 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and either N-(isobutoxymethyl)acrylamide (IBMA) or 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA).

Abstract: This invention relates to macromolecular transfers, gel electrophoresis, and blotting methods involving polyaldehyde activated microporous membranes.

Abstract: Microporous membranes can be prepared which comprise a polymer which is a hydrophobic polymer in bulk form and which has an equilibrium water absorption from about 2% to about 4%, but is hydrophilic when precipitated as a membrane. The membranes are further characterized by high water flow rates at any given bubble point.

Abstract: An activated microporous membrane is provided, having aldehyde functional groups on its inner and outer surfaces. The aldehyde functionality on all surfaces provides for effective covalent bonding to the membrane by amine containing materials. The activated membrane can be made of a polysulfone/polyacrolein mixture or a polysulfone microporous membrane treated with a polyacrolein solution.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a membrane-type filter device. Vents located opposite the hydrophilic membrane remove entrapped gases in the inlet chamber of the housing. There are preferably two such vents on either end of the inlet chamber, of which the corners are preferably non-rectangular, and which remove entrapped gases from the fluid without regard to filter device orientation.

Abstract: An activated microporous membrane is provided, having aldehyde functional groups on its inner and outer surfaces. The aldehyde functionally on all surfaces provides for effective covalent bonding to the membrane by amine containing materials. The activated membrane can be made of a polysulfone/polyacrolein mixture or a polysulfone microporous membrane treated with a polyacrolein solution.

Abstract: An arterial blood filter assembly (10) for removing undissolved gases and foreign bodies, particles, clots, etc., from blood flowing through the assembly (10) includes a housing (34) having an inlet (38) and outlet (44) and a vent (48) for venting undissolved gases from the housing (34). A filter media (60) is supported within the housing (34). The assembly (10) includes a blood flow dividing mechanism disposed between the inlet (38) and filter media (58) to divide blood flow from the inlet (38) into a plurality of spaced inlet streams flowing over and down the outer boundary of the filter media (52) into the tapering space between the media and housing wall, which causes the streams to spread sideways and meet, forming upward-flowing streams which carry the entrained bubbles upward, to the channels in the housing top (80) which direct the air bubbles to the vent (48).

Abstract: In accordance with the invention the glycosylated hemoglobin in a blood sample is electrophoretically separated from the other constituents by including dextran sulphate in the electrophoresis buffer, or by mixing a solution of the dextran sulphate with the blood sample prior to the electrophoresis, such that the blood is in contact with dextran sulphate during the electrophoresis. The presence of the dextran sulphate results in a clear and well defined electrophoretic separation of the glycosylated hemoglobin from the non-glycosylated hemoglobin, thereby enabling accurate glycosylated hemoglobin determination.

Abstract: A non-barbiturate buffer composition for use in the electrophoretic separation of proteins into fractions, the buffer composition consisting essentially of a water soluble salicylate, a water soluble inorganic salt such as sodium chloride, and buffer to maintain the pH at from about 8.2 to 9.0.

Abstract: The filter device of this invention comprises a housing with an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated by a deformable microporous membrane, the outlet chamber containing a perforated membrane support surface of concave compound curvature which is spaced from the wall of the outlet chamber, the deformable membrane being in contact with and conforming to the compound curvature of the support surface when fluid flows through the membrane from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber.