Abstract: In the reaction vessel in the form of a cell for optical investigations of small quantities of liquid, the floor (4) of the reaction vessel exhibits a circular depression (6), in which a cylindrical body (9) is disposed so as to be moveable. The depression (6) exhibits arcuately extending channels (7), which extend from the depression (6) towards the walls (3) and/or the corners (8) of the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An isolation fluid control device and water cup for use in an automated, random-access, isolation fluid-based, analytical instrument. The cup, in operation, contains two immiscible liquids. The cup is provided with inlets and outlets, and additionally comprises a liquid level control structure and structure operable to permit passage of one liquid therethrough to the substantial exclusion of the other liquid.

Abstract: A catalytic converter of the automotive type comprising a reduced central oval section that compresses a support mat around a catalyst substrate, the reduced central section comprising radially inwardly biased ribs that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the converter.The converter can be made by inserting a catalyst substrate and surrounding support mat through the open end and into the central portion of an oval sheet metal tube, after which the reduced section and longitudinal ribs are formed in the central portion of the tube to compress the mat and securely engage the substrate, and the ends of the tube are pinched together to form sealed end closures with gas flow passages therein.

Abstract: A defoaming device for separating foam and bubbles from a liquid, such as blood, is disclosed. The device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a membrane oxygenator, for separating air from blood while minimizing blood contact with the antifoam agent used in the device. The device includes a reservoir and a filtering material that does not contain any antifoaming agent. This filtering material is positioned in a lower portion of the reservoir to separate foam and bubbles from the liquid. An element containing an antifoaming agent is positioned in the reservoir above the maximum surface fluid level therein and receives the foam and bubbles that rise from the filtering material. Contact of the liquid with the antifoaming agent is substantially avoided.

Abstract: In a smog control system comprising a plurality of fans or blowers which are located to introduce air into a smog particle destruction chamber operated with lazer energy. The smog particles are broken down and the air is passed into a filtering chamber which may preferrably adopt the form of a liquid charcoal chamber. The air may be preferably bubbled through the liquid charcoal and the effluent may then be passed into a freshening agent chamber where a freshening agent may be added to the air. The air may then pass as an effluent from the freshening agent chamber. A liquid charcoal supply may be connected to the liquid charcoal chamber and the recovered liquid charcoal which has been spent may be reused for other purposes.

Abstract: A method for titration flow injection analysis by introducing a multicomponent sample into a carrier stream which flows into a mixing/sensing cell and titrating with a reactant more than one component of the sample by sensing a plurality of endpoints. The apparatus of the invention includes a stirring means within the mixing/sensing cell which generates helical flow within the cell so that bubbles are not retained in the cell.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the production of oxygenated blood. The apparatus incorporates a vessel for containing the blood that is to be processed, an ultraviolet lamp and an infrared lamp being associated with the vessel. A feed pipe extends into the vessel to a position near the bottom of the vessel, such feed pipe being connected to a source of ozone. The vessel is essentially in the form of an inverted bottle, the neck opening of which is closed and the base of which incorporates a central opening for the feed pipe, the vessel and the feed pipe being designed as disposable items. The vessel is installed in the area of a working surface of the apparatus so as to be releasable therefrom, while the feed pipe is connectable to a coupling on a line that leads to the ozone source.

Abstract: There is disclosed an evaporation cover that is useful to cover two types of test elements having different sample wetting locations, namely potentiometric types and colorimetric types. Both are accommodated by constructing enough of the flat sealing portion of the undersurface so as to sealingly cover the wetted area of the colorimetric type, and by providing on the cover, means for camming the cover away from a test element that is being loaded under the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing objects to saturated steam at subatmospheric pressure is computer controlled during a conditioning phase prior to the commencement of an exposure phase to apply vacuum to a sealed chamber while steam is simultaneously being injected to that chamber. The fluid stream flowing through the chamber sweeps air and condensate from the chamber and creates a partial vacuum within the chamber. The steam flow rate is controlled to establish the desired exposure temperature within the chamber. Vacuum is controlled to establish an exposure pressure at which steam is saturated at the exposure temperature. The exposure phase commences after the exposure temperature and pressure are established within the chamber.

Abstract: An air knife is positioned to direct a stream or blast of air across the tip of a sample probe as it is withdrawn from a cuvette containing a reagent, diluent, and patient sample solution. After the probe is flushed with diluent, the air knife drives any droplets of diluent fluid off the probe tip into the cuvette and thereby prevents contamination or dilution of the sample material in the sample containers.

Abstract: A pipette canister formed from a thermoplastic material. The canister withstands dry heat above 160.degree. C. reduces breakage of glass pipettes stored within, and the material is free from metal oxide residues.

Abstract: A multiple dose reagent pack and corresponding carousel for an automated analyzer are disclosed. The reagent pack contains a plurality of vial-receiving wells which receive and hold a plurality of reagent-containing vials to form a unitary reagent pack. The carousel contains a plurality of radially spaced compartments which are adapted to receive and hold either a reagent pack or a sample container. A corresponding plurality of reaction container openings are provided on the carousel. Reagent packs for specific assays can be selectively interspersed with sample containers in the compartments to provide a wide variety of test combinations.

Abstract: In a chlorine hydrate tank wherein a chlorine gas supply pipe is inserted into a tank holding chilled water therein and chlorine gas in blown into the water through the pipe to form a chlorine hydrate, a hollow cylinder having an opening in an upper-side portion thereof is arranged around the chlorine gas supply pipe so as to form a predetermined gap therebetween so that the upper opening of the cylinder is partially or entirely submerged in the water.

Abstract: A differential conductivity sulfate monitor for determining the sulfate concentration of a fluid sample by monitoring the cation conductivity of the fluid sample before and after sulfate has been removed therefrom. The cation conductivities of the fluid sample before and after sulfate has been removed are compared to establish a differential conductivity, and the differential conductivity is used to calculate the sulfate concentration in accordance with a known relationship between a conductivity differential and the sulfate concentration of a fluid sample.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator includes an elongated hollow housing having an elongated chamber therein, an elongated fiber assembly disposed within the chamber along an axis thereof and including a bundle of hollow fibers of a microporous membrane. The opposite ends of the fiber bundle are sealingly secured to the inner peripheral surface of the housing by a potting material. Gas inlet and outlet members are connected respectively to the opposite ends of the housing and communicate respectively with the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. Blood inlet and outlet are formed on the housing and communicate with the chamber intermediate the opposite ends of the hollow fibers. The fiber assembly includes a plurality of layers of spirally-wound fiber bundles arranged one upon another. Each turn of one of each adjacent spirally-wound bundles is disposed in a plane intersecting the plane in which each turn of the other fiber bundle is disposed.

Abstract: A substantially rigid, multi-well, self-pipetting device for use in chemical, immunochemical and microorganism analysis is provided. It includes a frame and a plurality of test wells disposed within the frame. A filing manifold communicates with each of the test wells through a filling passageway. A docking port on the periphery of the device receives a reservoir holding a fluid specimen. The docking port communicates with the filling manifold through a filling port and a filling channel. A vent control system also communicates with the test wells and is comprised of one or more vent manifolds, and/or valves to a vent manifold, and/or one or more vent holes to the ambient atmosphere. Any vent holes present are temporarily closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing containers comprises a closed sterilized chamber having a container inlet and a container outlet, an antiseptic vessel and a rinse vessel arranged within the sterilized chamber, and a group of container transport devices for transporting each container within the sterilized chamber from the inlet to the outlet by way of the vessels.

Abstract: A unique laboratory glassware system is provided which includes glass functional members and an elastomeric coupling member for joining two of the functional members in axial alignment. Each of the functional members has a conduit portion terminating in a male sealing portion. The male sealing portion comprises an annular flange with a front conical surface and a rear locking shoulder. The coupling member includes a central opening having a gasket portion separating two axially aligned bores that include a female sealing portion corresponding in profile to the male sealing portion. The conduit portion of the functional members form a positive engagement with the female sealing portion of the coupling member such that the joined functional members snap into position and are locked against internal pressure that could pull them apart.

Abstract: A test kit is provided for measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation rate automatically in the original blood collection tube which is of a size and is so modified to be used for the resulting testing that no further blood transfer is required. The blood collection tube is evacuated to the desired level to obtain the desired quantity of blood to be collected and contains the proper quantity of anticoagulant. The test kit of the invention includes one or more tube-like slots for maintaining the blood collection tubes stable and in a vertical orientation for the testing procedure. Each slot includes a tube sleeve vertically adjustable in each slot. Each sleeve includes an appropriate Westergren scale which is moved with the sleeve to accommodate the positioning of the initial top level of the red blood cells in the sample.

Abstract: A catalytic converter has a monolith with a plurality of catalyst coated passages to which internal combustion engine exhaust gases are directed with a nonuniform velocity profile that is highest at the center. A flow distributor is mounted in the converter downstream of the monolith that restricts flow centrally through the monolith while allowing relatively free flow radially outward toward the periphery to thereby alter the velocity profile at the entrance to the monolith so as to effect substantially equal distribution of the gases between all the monolith passages without extracting heat from the gases prior to entering same and without adding substantial back pressure.