Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for specific inhalation challenges, especially bronchical provocation tests, including a compressed air supply, a particle generator an exposure room, an orofacial mask, a gas-aerosol photometer, a manometer, a valve and a suction pump. The invention also relates to a method of using the device and to an improved particle generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved sampling device for selectively collecting gaseous and aerosol pollutants contained in polluted air, said device being of the type comprising a cartridge provided with an inlet, an outlet and filtering means, a vacuum pump and means for connecting said pump to the outlet of the cartridge to cause some pulluted air to be drawn through said filtering means, the improvement wherein said filtering means consists of three successive filters and wherein: the first filter is made with a material of such a porosity that it collects aersol pollutants but is permeable to gas; the second filter is positioned downstream of the first filter and consists of a porous substrate impregnated with an effective amount of a chemical compound that reacts with one or more specific harmful or toxic gaseous pollutants to produce therefrom derivatives, said second filter being of such a porosity as to be permeable to air but not to said derivatives; and the third filter is positioned downstream of

Abstract: A cycling device for conditioning battery cells of different types. A selor allows an operator to select the type of the cells to be conditioned. The amplitudes of trickle, discharge and charging currents are automatically selected in response to an output signal from the cell type selector. A control circuit determines the sequence of occurence of the trickle, discharge and charging currents and produces discharge and charge logic conditions, which control circuit includes a timer which delivers a clock signal and which interrupts the charging current after the same has been supplied to the battery cells during a predetermined period of time. Proper discharge operation of the cycling device is indicated only when both the discharge logic conditions are present and the discharge current is detected, while proper charge operation is indicated only when, simultaneously, the charge logic conditions are present, the charging current is detected, and the clock signal is produced by the timer.

Abstract: An improved sampling device for collecting at least part of air-borne particles in a workman's breathing zone. The device comprises a cassette provided with an inlet, an outlet and an air filter, a vacuum pump and a flexible tubing of determined length connecting the vacuum pump to the outlet of the cassette. In use, a portion of the air contained in the breathing zone of the workman is drawn through the filter and the particles collected thereon. This device is improved in that a deformable metallic tubing is positioned inside a portion of the flexible tubing or is positioned between a short length of a tubing connected to the outlet of the cassette and this flexible tubing. In addition, at least one fastener is provided for fixing the deformable metallic tubing and eventually the flexible tubing, to at least one strap intended to be tightened around a workman's head. This device is useful to position the air-intake of the cassette in the workman's breathing zone.