Abstract: A tube is inserted into a first liquid layer, and an air bubble is generated at a tip opening of the tube. The tube is then moved toward a second liquid layer while retaining the air bubble, and a change in the internal pressure of the tube caused by the air bubble reaching the boundary between the first and second liquid layers is detected. After the tip opening of the tube is raised to the top surface of the first liquid layer, the first liquid is sucked up by the tube while the tube is moved to the position where the pressure change was detected.

Abstract: A detachable column cartridge for a gas chromatograph is disclosed. The cartridge column contains analytical and reference columns, a heater and a thermocouple, and connects via detachable connectors to a base unit containing an injector, a detector and other components normally found in gas chromatographs. The cartridge arrangement permits a substitute column to be connected to the base unit easily, in the field, when different gases are to be separated and analyzed. Also included are specific connectors for detachably connecting the columns with capillary tubes in the base unit of the gas chromatograph.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing an oxide superconducting film employing laser ablation method. This apparatus has a thin film forming chamber having a laser-transparent laser entrance window, a target being provided in the thin film forming chamber and containing components of an oxide superconductor, a laser beam source for irradiating the target with a laser beam from the exterior of the thin film forming chamber through the laser entrance window, and apparatus for controlling power of the laser beam which is applied to the target for preventing the power of the laser beam, being applied to the target, from reduction by contamination of the entrance window caused by scattered particles. According to the present invention, it is possible to form an oxide superconducting film having high and uniform characteristics even if a long time is required for film formation, thereby attaining a remarkable effect in improvement of superconductivity of a large area oxide superconducting film.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting denaturation of a nucleic acid, including: denaturation condition controlling element for controlling condition of denaturation under which a double-strand nucleic acid is separated into a first single-strand nucleic acid and a second single-strand nucleic acid; excitation light irradiation source for irradiating the double-strand nucleic acid before denaturation, and the first single-strand nucleic acid and second single-strand nucleic acid after the denaturation; fluorescence detection monitor for detecting fluorescence emission based on the excitation light irradiation; and processing element for receiving, storing and processing a signal supplied from the fluorescence detection monitor.

Abstract: An ion chromatography method for analysis of a plurality of analyte ions in a sequence of samples in which ion chromatography is performed on a sample, which is passed to a non-precipitating suppressor ion exchange resin and analyzed, the suppressor being regenerated in one step prior to processing of a subsequent sample.

Abstract: A processing chamber for the treatment and decontamination of biological or medical waste includes a rotating waste treatment system carried within an open-top processing chamber, a cap for closing the chamber opening, a gas-pervious liner carried within the chamber for preventing waste from adhering to the underside of the cap as a result of waste-treatment operations, a sealing member disposed at and for sealing the interface of the cap and the processing chamber, and a chemical indicator carried within the interior of the processing chamber for confirming the presence of decontaminant during a waste treatment cycle.

Abstract: A method for on-line assay in column chromatography of a property that requires appreciable time for sensitive measurement has the steps of separating the effluent into discrete fractions at equal time intervals, sequentially passing each fraction through each of a series of detectors, while preventing each fraction from mixing with another; and, for each fraction, calculating the assay from the information provided by each detector during the time interval the fraction passed through it.

Abstract: An electrostatic spray device contains a tube-like spray element (3); at least one charging electrode (12) to transfer electrostatic charges to the powder; at least one counterelectrode (44) arranged in the vicinity of the charging electrode (12), which is connected to an electrical potential (20) different from the charging electrode (12), so that it takes up at least part of the free ions generated during electrical charging of the powder; at least one ring-shaped element (44; 68; 74) which forms or carries the counterelectrode (44; 64; 74, 76) and extends around the downstream segment (72) of the spray element (3), on which it is radially supported; at least one connection ridge (78) outside the spray element (3), which carries the ring-shaped element (74) at its downstream end (79) and can be attached to the spray element (3) by its upstream end; and an electrical connection between the electrical potential connection (20) and the counterelectrode (44) by way of the connection ridge (78).

Abstract: A reagent kit having at least one container holding a reagent, and an analytical apparatus in which the reagent kit can be used. For the purpose of fully automatic processing of the reagent kit in an analytical apparatus, the reagent kit is characterized in that it is substantially a cuboid casing having a bottom, side walls and a removable lid and containers disposed in the casing, the lid having openings through which the contents of the reagent containers are accessible for automatic pipetting operations, each reagent container being closed by a closure, said closure being apt to be perforated by the needle of the pipetting device of an analytical apparatus, said closure being also apt to reclose the perforation after removal of the pipetting needle.

Abstract: A device for selective detection of gas, enabling a first gas to be detected relative to a second gas, the device having a solid state sensor provided with an insulating substrate having a first face and a second face, a heater element deposited on the first face of said substrate, metal electrodes deposited on the second face of said substrate, and a semiconductor layer formed on said electrode and over the second face of said substrate. Detection is performed by simultaneously determining a voltage U representative of the resistance of the semiconductor element of the solid state sensor and the voltage difference S between a voltage representative of the temperature of the heater element of said solid state sensor and a voltage representative of the temperature of a heater element of a reference sensor, the voltage U and the voltage difference S each being compared with a different and predetermined threshold voltage in order to enable selective detection of gas.

Abstract: A magnetic capture rack is disclosed for holding a plurality of tubes, the magnetic capture rack including a primary housing member having a stepped upper surface, a substantially planar base surface, and a longitudinal bore formed in the primary housing. The longitudinal bore is open at least at one end thereof, and a plurality of linearly arranged wells are formed in the stepped upper surface of the housing on opposing sides of the longitudinal bore and along substantially an entire length of the primary housing. A slidable magnetic member is provided which conforms in outer surface shape to an inner surface shape of the longitudinal bore, the magnetic member being selectively slidable into and out of the longitudinal bore.

Abstract: Selected polyvalent anions or cations are removed from a liquid sample stream as a pretreatment for the analysis of the liquid sample stream. A stream containing anions of interest, precipitable anions (e.g. sulfate ions) to be removed and an added displacing salt flow through a first cation exchange resin bed having precipitable exchangeable polyvalent ions (e.g. barium ions). Displacing polyvalent cation (e.g. calcium) displaces the exchangeable polyvalent ion from the cation exchange resin into the liquid sample at sufficient concentration to cause the precipitable anion and exchangeable cation to form a precipitate which remains in the resin bed and is thus is removed from the sample stream. Then the anions of interest in the soluble portion of the liquid sample stream are separated and detected. The invention is also applicable to the removal of precipitable cations (e.g. barium ions) by reversing the roles of the anions and cations.

Abstract: Method for quantifying the amounts of oxidized sulfhydryl amino acids, particularly cysteine sulfinic acid, cysteic acid, homocysteine sulfinic acid and homocysteic acid, for example, in biological samples are provided. The oxidized sulfhydryl amino acids are measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after derivatization, preferably using stable isotope internal standards. Deviation from normal individuals' levels of oxidized sulfhydryl amino acids in serum are indicative of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, the biochemical origin of which can be diagnosed using methods disclosed herein, particularly when relative levels of these and/or other sulfur amino acids are measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing immunoassays employs a microtiter tray having wells coated with a specific binding partner in conjunction with an array of magnets disposed below the tray. A device for providing relative circular motion of the tray and magnetic array so as to provide a magnet field to the well walls for attracting magnetic particles and subsequent movement of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus includes a pair of valves. A first valve selectively communicates a sample tube with a vent/aspiration valve, or alternatively communicates a diluent pump with a reaction tube. By moving the first valve, one may selectively relieve a vacuum within a sample tube, aspirate a sample from the tube, or alternatively may drive a diluent and a sample into the reaction tube. The second valve is a vent/aspiration valve which selectively communicates the first valve to two distinct systems. A first system vents a vacuum in the sample tube, and a second system aspirates a sample from the sample tube. The second valve is actuated to initially relieve any vacuum in the sample tube, and is then actuated to connect the aspiration system to the sample tube to begin to withdraw of a sample from the sample tube. At the same time, the diluent pump is filled. The shear valve is then moved to communicate the diluent pump to the reaction tube.

Abstract: Packing materials for liquid chromatographic or catalytic columns are prepared by contacting a porous protein-adsorptive particulate or membranous support, such as a porous silica particulate support, with an aqueous solution into which a protein has been dissolved to form a saturated coating of protein on the external surfaces of the porous protein-adsorptive support, removing excess protein that remains in solution by washing, and, then crosslinking the protein in the coating. The result is a packing material which resists further adsorption by many different proteins but which continues to provide the adsorptive or catalytic properties of the groups on the internal surfaces of the porous protein-adsorptive support for separations, analysis, or alteration of small molecules. The packing material of the present invention is particularly useful in HPLC or solid phase extraction columns for direct injection drug analysis in plasma, serum, and urine.

Abstract: A device for capturing a component present in a fluid 18 a pipette tip having a rearward end 15 adapted to be fitted on a micro-pipette, and a forward end 12 with a membrane 17, adapted to bind the component, extending across the pipette tip.

Abstract: Fluids kept under high pressure in one or several balancing cells (C1, C2) inside a thermostat-controlled enclosure (14) at about 200.degree. C. are extracted by introducing into the enclosure a sampling cell (1) capable of withstanding pressures of the order of 150 MPa, fastening cell (1) to a connection element (24) linked to balancing cells, taking samples and removing the cell from the thermostat-controlled enclosure, with all of these operations being easily conducted from outside. After possible weighing of the sampling cell, a transfer device thereafter allows the sampling cell to be communicated with measuring and analysis devices such as a gasometer associated with a separating bottle, a solvent injection means, etc. Operations are synchronized by a programmed microcomputer (MC). The preferred application is processing geological samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic cell separation using paramagnetic microbeads includes a base upon which is movably carried a rocker member. The rocker member carries both a primary processing container in which a mixture of liquid with cells and paramagnetic microbeads is received; and a primary magnet movable from a first position adjacent to the primary container to magnetically capture the microbeads, and a second position spaced from the primary container to magnetically release the microbeads. The mixture of liquid with cells and microbeads is agitated by tilting motions of the rocker assembly, thereby achieving the binding of target cells to microbeads. The paramagnetic microbeads, with bound target cells, are captured and released by movements of the primary magnet between its first and second positions. A secondary magnet is placed downstream from the primary magnet to capture any paramagnetic microbeads which might escape from the primary magnet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solid phase extraction chromatography is disclosed in which the flow rate of a fluid, such as the motive pressurized gas is monitored, adjusted and compared with a standardized pressure curve which is correlative of a sample being processed. By monitoring and adjusting changes in flow rate, which can correspond to process initialization, beginning, ending and key fractionating points, and correlating to a standard, the cycle time for assaying the sample in question can be maximized and multiple samples can pass through analysis automatically and quickly.