Abstract: A vessel for reducing contamination of liquids is formed of a vessel body with an inlet opening and an outlet opening therein. A closing device is attached to the vessel body adjacent the outlet opening. The closing device closes the outlet opening, and includes a normally closed one-way valve which is openable by a predetermined pressure from within the vessel body.

Abstract: Test tube particularly suitable for carrying out immunological and immunohaematological analysis having at one end thereof an opening for charging reagents and biological liquids to be analyzed and, at the other end thereof, at least one venting opening and a respective controlled-stop filter.

Abstract: A method of automatic washing of vehicles, wherein recirculation and reuse of a substantial proportion of the washing liquid takes place during the washing procedure proper and wherein a principle of counter-flow is used, whereby the vehicle will be washed in a dirtier washing liquid during early treatment states than in later ones. The vehicle is positioned in at least one treatment station, where a plurality of the treatment steps are then carried out, and in the first treatment step treatment liquid is supplied from a first treatment tank and is sprayed onto the vehicle together with additives, if any, and together with impurities originating from the vehicle the liquid thus supplied flows through openings in the floor and is returned to the first treatment tank.

Abstract: An automatic device prepares blood films or smears on microscope slides. The device has essentially one moving part, namely a carriage which holds the slide, and which is movable back and forth along a frame. The slide is dispensed from a magazine, onto the carriage, and the carriage moves to a position where a drop of blood is conveniently placed onto the slide. The carriage then moves to a position permitting contact between the blood and a spreading blade mounted on a flexible member. The carriage is moved in a forward direction, causing the blade to move relative to the slide, creating the blood smear. The slide is then lifted from the carriage and moved onto a storage platform. Meanwhile, the blade is cleaned as it passes over a cleaning pad on the carriage. Movement of the carriage in both directions insures that both sides and the end of the blade are cleaned.

Abstract: Method for the analysis of one or more analytes present in a sample carried in a first fluid. The first fluid is combined with a first detector fluid and a second detector fluid to provide a fluid mixture which flows across the surface of an igniter. The analytes are ionized by means of an ionization process. The ion current is collected and measured at a collector electrode adjacent to the igniter. The flow of at least one of the first detector fluid and second detector fluid is modulated during an ignition sequence according to predetermined criteria so as to facilitate flame ignition.

Abstract: A first reactant is immobilized i.e. in a porous matrix (50), adjacent a sample electrode (46) within a reaction chamber. Energizing of the electrode (46) electrophoretically attracts a mobile second reactant and/or electrolytically induces appropriate reaction conditions to enhance reaction of the first and second reactants. Polarity reversals between the sample electrode (46) and remote electrodes (38), (42), (44) cause unreacted second reactant and/or by-products to migrate away from the immobilized first reactant. The techniques are useful for sequential chemical reactions such as sequencing or construction of proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids where cyclical additions and removals of reactants are required. The techniques are amenable to automated micro and nano scale construction and operation and allow direct electrophoretic (38) interfacing with chromatographic, HPCE and mass spectrophotometric equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of using bioactive porous partition members for testing the blood coagulation process or platelet function, wherein the porous partition members have an aperture and have incorporated therein at least one agent capable of initiating blood coagulation or platelet aggregation.

Abstract: A filter for a pipette tip is provided, comprising a plurality of vertically-oriented cylindrical micro fibers cohesively bundled in adjoining columns which are composed of a core of an autoclavable material and an outer coating of a hydrophobic material. The micro fibers are packed together such that each micro fiber is compressed against the other fibers and the inner surface of the pipette tip. The compression of the fibers creates vertically-oriented pores interstitially between the micro fibers, each pore having a pore size at various points within the filter. Each filter has an equal predetermined density of micro fibers per square millimeter in its uncompressed state, such that when the filter is compressed, its pore sizes will be consistent with another filter used in a pipette tips of the same size and shape.

Abstract: A volume adjustable pipette for aspirating and dispensing precise volumes of liquid comprising an elongated hollow hand-holdable housing supporting a plunger for turning and for axial movement within the housing the pipette including (i) an upper stop which is axially adjustable within the housing in response to a turning of the plunger to adjust the volume of liquid which may be drawn into a tip secured to a lower end of the housing upon upward axial movement of the plunger to the upper stop and (ii) a manually actuated lock mechanism for locking the plunger against rotation to set the volume adjustment for the pipette and comprising a hand-turnable knob for actuating and releasing the lock mechanism by virtue of two thumb and/or finger engageable wings extending outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of the hand-turnable knob a gripping member for fixedly securing the plunger against turning and being actuated by a turning of the hand-turnable knob to force a cam surface of the knob against a cam surfa

Abstract: A cleaning method for removing oils, grease, machining debris and like substances from machine parts and other objects includes a wash tank containing a wash solution, rinse tanks for rinsing the washed objects, and an oil separator containing a concentrated detergent solution for separating oil and detergent in the used wash solution from each other. The separated detergent is returned to the wash tank for further parts cleaning, and the separated oil may be reused for machining purposes. The apparatus automatically maintains the liquid in the wash tank and rinse tanks in an effective condition to satisfactorily clean oily objects.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously and uniformly transferring micro quantities of liquid from a first plurality of separate cells to a second plurality of separate cells. Each of the first plurality of separate cells contain a liquid sample. Intake ends of a plurality of conduits are inserted into the first cells so that the intake ends of the conduits are immersed in the liquid samples. The conduits further including discharge ends. The discharge ends of the conduits are aligned with the second plurality of cells. A pressure differential is created between the first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells to cause micro quantities of the liquid samples to simultaneously and uniformly flow through their respective conduits and to the second plurality of cells.

Abstract: A specimen cartridge for biological materials is formed from unbreakable materials, such as cardboard or synthetic polymers. The specimen cartridge includes a handle, a receptor attached to the handle, and an outer housing. The receptor and handle are slidable relative to the outer housing which may include a bar-coding label and a security tape. The outer housing and receptor fit snugly together to provide a liquid-tight, leak-proof seal to prevent the escape of any biological materials from the receptor. Thus, the specimen cartridge minimizes the risk of contamination caused by the storage and transport of potentially hazardous biological materials. Further, the outer housing and receptor are formed of shatter-proof materials, also to prevent contamination. A carrying case is adapted for safely and securely transporting and testing a plurality of specimen cartridges.

Abstract: A method of producing a probe for aspirating and dispensing liquid. A fluid conduit and rod are positioned in the central bore of a tube so that an inlet end of the conduit and a contact end of the rod protrude from an upper end of the tube and a discharge end of the conduit and a sensing end of the rod protrude from a lower end of the tube. The tube has a heat-shrinkable outer layer and a meltable inner layer. The tube is heated so that its outer layer shrinks and its inner layer melts to encapsulate middle portions of the conduit and rod. A circuit board having first and second traces and first and second holes is placed on the upper end of the tube so that the inlet end of the conduit is inserted through the first hole and the contact end of the rod is inserted through the second hole. The conduit and rod are attached to the board so that the conduit is electrically connected to the first trace and the rod is electrically connected to the second trace.

Abstract: A sampling means of a chemical analysis apparatus includes a membrane, which is attached to a membrane carrier, which has an inlet passage to the side of the carrier facing the membrane and a discharge passage going therefrom. The passages conduct the medium to be measured and which medium absorbs ions, molecules or particles which pierce the membrane. In order to provide a sampling means, which has a short reaction time and makes use of small amounts of the medium to be measured and is easy to manufacture, the mouths of the inlet passage and of the discharge passage, which opens to the membrane, are interconnected by means of at least one groove, which is open towards the membrane. The groove is formed in a surface layer, which is attached between the membrane and the membrane carrier or is manufactured on the surface of the membrane carrier. The open side of the groove is closed by the membrane such that the membrane adheres to the surface layer or to the surface of the carrier facing the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a plate having a plurality uniformly sized reaction cells formed in its upper surface, wherein the density of the reaction cells is at least about 10 cells per cm.sup.2. Preferably, the area of each of the openings of the reaction cells is no more than about 55% of the area defined by the multiplication product of (1) the pitch between reaction cells in separate rows and (2) the pitch between reaction cells in separate columns.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a flow cytometer or fluorescence microscope and for quantitating binding proteins, such as antibodies. Populations of microbeads are provided which are in equilibrium with a saturating amount of fluorescently-labeled protein. The microbeads may have an incorporated fluorescent dye which has a strong signal in a selected channel of a flow cytometer, but no signal in other channels.

Abstract: A specimen transporting and processing system having a tubular container with a collar threadedly secured at one end and with a cap applied to the collar. The collar is temporarily locked in place on the container by means of an extending tab which is bound in place by a tape strip adhering to the tab and to the container. When the tape strip is removed or broken, the collar can then be unscrewed and removed from the container.

Abstract: Continuous removal of particulate surface contaminants, for example, from flat-rolled steel work product, is achieved free of unscheduled interruption by continuing control of surface cleaning liquid characteristics which enables continuing recycling. A major portion of the cleaning liquid of a large capacity tank is continuously circulated between surface treatment of the work product and a continuous in-line type cyclone filtering apparatus, with continuous return of filtrate to surface cleansing. A minor portion (about ten percent) of the cleaning liquid capacity is used to concentrate contaminants by continuously purging the filtering apparatus. Concentrated contaminants are directed to a non-magnetic tank structure with sources of magnetic flux mounted along its external surface such that penetrating magnetic flux acts internally to separate and retain contaminants. Decontaminated liquid is returned for continuing surface cleansing.

Abstract: A polishing treatment called CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) is utilized for filling a contact hole formed in a silicon oxide film with a metallic layer in a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device. After a CMP treatment, a target surface, on which the silicon oxide film and the metallic layer are exposed, is washed with a washing liquid so as to remove residues due to the CMP treatment. The washing liquid comprises a fluorine compound for providing an etchant for the silicon oxide film and the metallic layer, and a protective agent which can be adhered onto a surface of the metallic layer so as to form a protective film. The ratio between the fluorine compound and the protective agent is set such that etching rates of the silicon oxide film and the metallic layer to be effected by the washing liquid fall within ranges of from 0.5 nm/min to 5 nm/min and from 0.5 nm/min to 6 nm/min, respectively, and a ratio between these etching rates falls within a range of from "2:1" to "1:3".

Abstract: A device for processing slides-mounted samples where a slide is urged against a cell block so that a chamber is formed between cell block and slide. Via a fluid channel having a funnel at its one end, the chamber can be filled with liquid by means of a pipetting device having a connecting tip which matches the supply funnel. A device for processing samples where a contact pressure plate serves to press a slide against the cell block of the device. A device for processing samples comprising a down-pressure element which, when in non-operating mode, blocks the device from supplying liquid and where liquid can be supplied when said element is pressed down.