Abstract: The invention relates to a solid medium or matrix for storage of nucleic acid molecules (e.g. RNA and/or DNA), particularly vectors and especially plasmids, comprising a solid matrix preferably having a compound or composition which protects against degradation of nucleic acids incorporated into or absorbed on the matrix. The invention also relates to methods for storage or isolation/purification of nucleic acids using this solid medium, and in situ use of the stored or isolated/purified nucleic acids.

Abstract: A solid medium for storage of DNA, including blood DNA, comprising a solid matrix having a compound or composition which protects against degradation of DNA incorporated into or absorbed on the matrix. Methods for storage of DNA using this solid medium, and for recovery of DNA or in situ use of DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provide methods for utilizing spent leukodepletion filter devices as a source of material for the isolation and analysis of genomic DNA (gDNA), including polymorphism, genotyping, and pharmacogenomic studies. Cellular retentate with the filter contains leukocytes, which are lysed to release the nuclei. The nuclei are lysed or ruptured to release genomic DNA, which is then isolated and used for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A medium for storage and subsequent analysis of a genetic material includes a support for immobilizing the genetic material thereon and allowing subsequent elution of the genetic material therefrom and a coating functionally associated with the support for enabling cellular lysis and releasing the genetic material from the lysed cells while stabilizing the immobilized released genetic material. A method of storing the genetic material and subsequently analyzing the genetic material includes the steps of immobilizing the genetic material on a support while enabling cellular lysis and release of genetic material from the lysed cells and stabilizing the immobilized released genetic material on the support. The genetic material is then eluted to generate a soluble genetic material fraction. The eluted genetic material can be analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for device for obtaining and storing genetic material. The device has a support and a head portion. The head portion is composed of a solid matrix for sorbing genetic material and a preserving mechanism for the protection of genetic material from degradation. Additionally, the present invention provides for a method of storing a sample of genetic material onto the swab device. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes polyester material as the solid matrix.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device, method and kit for detecting any genetic material containing moieties. The present invention enables identification of known or unknown virions or bacteria contained in a fluid therein, such as virions in a blood sample. It also provides for an amenable and highly automatable device for massed screenings and the discovery of sequence variants of known virions, previously undetected virions, and other genetic material containing moieties. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes at least one primer for analysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for rapid nucleic acid purification from sources heavily contaminated with high particulate material, such as cellular debris, and solids, including suspended solids. In particular, this invention provides methods for rapid, quantifiable recovery and purification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources heavily contaminated with solids, such as small organisms, tissue samples, samples of blood found on soil, or samples of washing from foods, which are frequently difficult sources for nucleic acid isolation due to their propensity to clog filters and columns. A device and kit are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for making microporous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes from vinylidene fluoride polymers and the products produced. The PVDF microporous membranes have a significantly faster flow rate at a given pore size as compared to equally-sized microporous membranes made by conventional procedures. The PVDF microporous membranes also have significantly smaller pore sizes than conventional microporous PVDF membranes. The present membranes have unique macrostructural features responsible, in part, for their unique functional properties. The process includes dissolving the polymer in a liquid that includes a solvent and a co-solvent for the polymer. The dissolution of the polymer can be at temperatures ranging from about 20.degree.C. to about 50.degree.C. while the formation of the microporous membrane can be at temperatures ranging from about -10.degree.C. to 50.degree.C.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an SPE extraction apparatus is provided with a new SPE disk which eliminates radial wicking and weeping and new disk holding apparatus which minimizes the indirect flow region and minimizes the number of sample transfers required. The new SPE disk encapsulates the sorbent/fiber matrix between two porous outer layers which can be filters, united into an essentially non-porous rim around the disk perimeter. The disk holder and ring seal against this disk rim so that the active central portion of the disk is held entirely within the direct flow path. Thus weeping and indirect flow loss are virtually eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus eliminates the need to manually disassemble the apparatus while in use. Advantageously a flow control mechanism is incorporated into the disk holder to further minimize the amount of solvent needed for extraction.

Abstract: A filter cartridge that includes a track etched membrane sealed therein in a leak-free manner, and a method for making the cartridge. The filter cartridge has a bubble point that is at least 50% of the bubble point of the track etched membrane. In one embodiment, the method includes disposing the track etched membrane below a heat source and orienting the membrane so that it melts back on itself, and then allowing the membrane to cool to form a leak-free seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas dehydration membrane comprising a membrane having pores communicating between a first and an opposing second surface of the membrane and further having an average pore diameter on the first surface of the membrane which is about 10 to 1000 times smaller than that on the opposing second surface of the membrane. The invention further relates to a process for dehydrating a gaseous feedstock comprising passing the gaseous feedstock over a membrane characterized by high surface porosity wherein pore openings on a first surface thereof are at least 10 to 1000 times smaller than pore openings on an opposing surface thereof and wherein from about 2% to about 30% of the pore volume is occupied by a humectant.

Abstract: A process for rendering hydrophilic a separation membrane having a hydrophobic matrix polymer comprises doping the membrane solvent system with a cyclic ester additive which is compatible with the matrix polymer and adding a wetting agnet additive, such that the resulting membrane is instantaneously wetted. The invention further relates to the membrne formed in accord with this process.

Abstract: An oil-water separation method to separate oil-contaminated water into clean, filtered water for use. The method comprises filtering prefiltered, coalesced oil-water in an oleophobic depth-type filter.

Abstract: An oil-water separator system and method to separate contaminated oil and water into clean water and free coalesced oil for collection and removal. The system includes a process tank for the oil and water, a pump to pump the oil and water through first and second stage oil-coalescing filters and through a full depth, fibrous filter under back pressure to provide filtered clean water of selected purity; typically, less than 20 ppm. The coalesced and filtered oil-water is returned and recycled to the process tank wherein a free coalescing oil layer forms on the surface, which free coalesced oil is removed by a belt skimmer for collection and removal.

Abstract: A sealing member for a multi-well microfiltration plate comprises a flexible sealing material which, in response to the application of differential pressure, will flex or collapse in the direction of the filtration along the contour of each individual well. A process maintains a differential pressure substantially constant over a multi-well microfiltration plate comprising placing said flexible sealing member over that surface of the plate having well openings, stretching the flexible sealing member so as to seal the perimeter of each individual well, creating a differential pressure around said plate covered with said seal and filtering a media from each occupied well at a rate independent of the filtration rate of any other well while maintaining a substantially constant differential pressure around the plate until filtration in the last well containing media is complete.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow fiber bundle unit for insertion into an assisted breathing device comprising spinning a hollow fiber or hollow fibers, collecting multiple fibers into a bundle, filling the walls of the hollow fibers within the hollow fiber bundle with an humectant, coating the hollow fibers containing the humectant with a solution of an adhesive material, forming and drying the hollow fiber bundle coated with the solution, and preparing the hollow fiber bundle coated with the solution for insertion into the assisted breathing device.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an SPE extraction apparatus is provided with a new SPE disk which eliminates radial wicking and weeping and new disk holding apparatus which minimizes the indirect flow region and minimizes the number of sample transfers required. The new SPE disk encapsulates the sorbent/fiber matrix between two porous outer layers which can be filters, united into an essentially non-porous rim around the disk perimeter. The disk holder and ring seal against this disk rim so that the active central portion of the disk is held entirely within the direct flow path. Thus weeping and indirect flow loss are virtually eliminated. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus eliminates the need to manually disassemble the apparatus while in use. Advantageously a flow control mechanism is incorporated into the disk holder to further minimize the amount of solvent needed for extraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultra-high purity gas generator system, such as a hydrogen gas generator system and method, which employs a direct current source to supply proportional electrical current to a cathode in an electrolyte cell. The system comprises a metal cathode gas generator for hydrogen gas and a DC current for the metal cathode, wherein the output DC line current is continuously modified by a control circuit, which modifies the pulse width into the DC source, based on the variation in hydrogen gas pressure or flow from the cell. In the system and method, direct current is supplied to the palladium or palladium alloy cathode of an electrolytic cell, and the direct current is controlled or switched by monitoring the gas flow or pressure in the cell by a pressure or flow transducer, providing the output voltage to a control circuit.

Abstract: An integral coalescer filter-membrane device to provide clean sample gas to gas analyzers. The device includes a housing, an inlet port for feed gas, an outlet port to withdraw clean sample gas essentially free of entrained liquids, such as water, and particulate material which might contaminate or interfere with the gas analyzer, a bypass port and a drain port to remove by gravity coalesced liquid. The device includes a filter tube to coalesce and filter the feed gas stream and a chamber having a supported hydrophobic selected porosity membrane. The outlet port receives clean sample gas from the upper portions of the chamber, while the bypass port removes coalesced filtered gas from a lower chamber.

Abstract: A sealing member for a multi-well microfiltration plate comprises a flexible sealing material which, in response to the application of differential pressure, will flex or collapse in the direction of the filtration along the contour of each individual well. A process maintains a differential pressure substantially constant over a multi-well microfiltration plate comprising placing said flexible sealing member over that surface of the plate having well openings, stretching the flexible sealing member so as to seal the perimeter of each individual well, creating a differential pressure around said plate covered with said seal and filtering a media from each occupied well at a rate independent of the filtration rate of any other well while maintaining a substantially constant differential pressure around the plate until filtration in the last well containing media is complete.