Abstract: A sulphur dioxide generator is disclosed which comprises two sheets of synthetic or other material which are laminated together by a laminating substance. Dispersed in the laminating substance is a material which, in the presence of moisture, generates sulphur dioxide. The sheets are pervious to water vapor and sulphur dioxide and can be of natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic sheet material. Suitable sheet materials are polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, cellulose, paper, cellulose acetate or regenerated cellulose foil.

Abstract: A glucose sensor in which a gel is in contact with a pH sensing element. The gel contains immobilized glucose oxidase and gluconolactonase (EC 3.1.1.17). Gluconolactonase is present in an amount effective to accelerate the hydrolysis of D-glucono-.delta.-lactone.

Abstract: An enzyme electrode possessing an immobilized enzyme membrane or an immobilized enzyme layer composed by applying a solution containing alcohol oxidase and a crosslinking agent, in which the solution further contains reduced glutathione.According to the invention it is possible to immobilize alcohol oxidase stably, and an excellent immobilized enzyme electrode for alcohol measurement is obtained. Furthermore, by this invention, a highly sensitive and stable measuring method is conducted quite easily.

Abstract: A device for testing an elastic membrane for permeability ot submicroscopic particles. The device has a first chamber to contain the particles in a fluid medium; a second chamber to contain a reagent for detecting the presence of any of the particles; suitable structure for mounting the membrane between the chambers in a fluid-tight manner so that the membrane separates the chambers; and a mechanism for applying stress to the membrane.

Abstract: A chromatic test device for the performance of immuno- or chemical assays wherein a unitary planar fibrous filter body incorporates a sample application zone, a separation zone and a reaction zone and the application zone is in fluid communication with a first absorbent and the reaction zone is in fluid communication with a second absorbent to establish bilateral flow of the fluid component of the sample and of the analyte applied to the zones during the performance of an assay.

Abstract: A disposable device suitable for performing automated solid-state diagnostic assays which employs microparticles to complex an analyte and where the microparticle complex becomes retained and immobilized on a fibrous matrix such that the presence of analyte on the microparticles can be detected by an optical device.

Abstract: Process for carrying out a sparged reaction, including providing one or a plurality of vertically-disposed reaction tubes, introducing a sparging gas under pressure into the bottom of the tube, separating and withdrawing the sparging gas from the top of the tube and passing the separated sparging gas in indirect heat exchange with at least part of the outside surface of the tube. The process is particularly suitable for carrying out an exothermic reaction, such as a fermentation reaction for the production of single cell protein, in which the bottom of a plurality of reaction tubes are disposed in a water bath, the withdrawn sparging gas is sprayed across the tops of the tubes, preferably after reducing the pressure to cool the same, and water is withdrawn from the bath and passed downwardly along the outside of the tubes.

Abstract: A centrifuge for separating constituents of fluids, diluting the constituents and inoculating a reagent includes a spinning assembly for spinning a processor member. The processor member includes fluid and diluent compartments, separation chambers for a fluid and for a diluent, a mixing chamber, and a reagent chamber. The fluid compartment is in communication with the fluid separation chamber by a first passage. The diluent compartment and diluent separation chamber are communicated by a second passage. The first and second passages are oriented such that centrifugal force moves the fluid and diluent through the first and second passages into the respective chambers. The chambers are aligned to prevent outflow under the influence of centrifugal force but to allow outflow into measuring passages upon braking the spinning of the processor member. Spinning the processor member after braking generates a centrifugal force moving the fluid and diluent through the measuring passages into a mixing chamber.

Abstract: A composition is provided for use, particularly in evacuated blood collection tubes, as a blood partitioning composition. The composition is useful in provididng cleaner serum or plasma samples for biochemical tests, including a wide range of drugs. The composition includes a balanced dual resin component which provides the desired hydrophobic property while simultaneously controlling viscosity and the specific gravity, which component is comprised of poly-alpha-pinene resin which provides good drug recovery but low density with a chlorinated hydrocarbon resin which provides the proper density level while maintaining the desired hydrophobic property of the resin blend. Thixotropic property is achieved by adding silica and network stabilizer in the composition.

Abstract: An obstruction across the flow chamber creates a one dimensional convergence of a sheath fluid. A passageway in the construction directs flat cells near to the area of one dimensional convergence in the sheath fluid to provide proper orientation of flat cells at fast rates.

Abstract: A biological specimen-containing and/or reagent mixing well used in centrifuge tubes, microtitre plates or trays and the like, and related methods, which comprises shelves or ledges within the specimen well each of which comprises a substantial nonvertical surface component, and functions to receive and temporarily store a desired quantity of reagent against premature delivery ot the bottom region of the well thereby accommodating dispensing of the reagent into the bottom region at precisely the desired and proper point in time.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical regeneration of a co-enzyme, which process comprises the steps of(i) electrochemically oxidizing a medium containing oxidized co-enzyme and biochemically inactive isomers of the co-enzyme to oxidize the biochemically inactive isomers,(ii) generating a mercury amalgam in an electrochemical cell;(iii) contacting in a reaction vessel the mercury amalgam and the medium containing the oxidize co-enzyme from step (i), with one of the reactants selected from the mercury amalgam and the oxidized co-enzyme being in the form of a plurality of droplets.

Abstract: Enzyme electrodes are disclosed which are capable of responding amperometrically to the catalytic activity of the enzyme in the presence of its respective substrate and comprising the enzyme immobilized or adsorbed onto the surface of an electrically conductive support member which consists of or comprises a porous layer of resin-bonded carbon or graphite particles, said particles having intimately mixed therewith, or deposited or adsorbed onto the surface of the individual particles prior to bonding to form said layer, a finely divided platinum group metal, thereby to form a porous, substrate layer onto which said enzyme is adsorbed or immobilized and comprising a substantially heterogeneous layer of resin-bonded carbon or graphite particles, with said platinum group metal dispersed substantially uniformly throughout said layer.

Abstract: According to the invention, a piston fit filter/dispenser vial and method of using same is provided. The vial comprises a conventional filter, for example a piston fit serum filter closing the lower end of the vial and a closure having a pressure source fitting closing off the upper end of the vial. The vial also includes a transfer tube having a first end inside the vial adjacent to the filter and a second end outside vial. Filtrate, for example filtered blood serum, within the vial may be transferred in predetermined aliquots to one or more awaiting sample containers from the vial by applying a predetermined volume of air from a pressure source via the pressure source fitting whereby displaced serum is forced up the transfer tube and out of the vial.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid-collecting compartment that is vented to allow air to escape. The compartment is improved in that a closure member is provided constructed so as to be slidable onto and off of the vent aperture with a force that is between about 0.15 newtons and about 20 newtons. To achieve this, an elastomeric member is provided in the closure member or the wall at the aperture, with selected properties of durometer, cold flow and static coefficient of friction against polystyrene.

Abstract: In order to keep the reversing times from circulation of the reaction components to mixing and vice versa as short as possible for the purpose of good mixing in the initial and end phases in the preparation of flowable reaction mixtures by high-pressure mixing, the holding pressure applied to the flow reversing element is maintained by a releasable non-return valve until the full hydraulic reversing pressure has built up on the opposite side, and only then is the non-return valve released.