Abstract: A technique and an apparatus are disclosed for the detection of cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, NMR parameters for protons of lipid methyl and/or methylene groups are determined and compared against a corresponding value for healthy patients. In the preferred embodiments, an NMR spectrometer is employed to provide a spectrum for non-water components of blood, blood serum or blood plasma and the width of the methyl and/or methylene groups is measured at half-height as a determination of spin-spin relaxation time (T.sub.2) which is the parameter used for purposes of comparison with healthy controls. Suppression of the water proton signal is employed where necessary in order to obtain a suitable spectrum for the non-water component protons. In the event that a positive reading is obtained, the level of plasma triglycerides is determined and if it is high, the patient's bodily fluid sample is further subjected to C-13 nuclear magnetic spectroscopy.

Abstract: A system for detecting analytes in air or aqueous systems includes a permeation absorption preconcentrator sampler for the analytes and analyte detectors. The preconcentrator has an inner fluid-permeable container into which a charge of analyte-sorbing liquid is intermittently injected, and a fluid-impermeable outer container. The sample is passed through the outer container and around the inner container for trapping and preconcentrating the analyte in the sorbing liquid. The analyte can be detected photometrically by injecting with the sorbing material a reagent which reacts with the analyte to produce a characteristic color or fluorescence which is detected by illuminating the contents of the inner container with a light source and measuring the absorbed or emitted light, or by producing a characteristic chemiluminescence which can be detected by a suitable light sensor. The analyte can also be detected amperometrically.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-line monitoring of a characteristic of a process liquid stream includes a cell for isolating a precise volume of the liquid. There are provided means for over-filling a sample chamber and means for removing the excess from the chamber comprising a downwardly extending drain line which terminates at a precisely positioned, downwardly facing inlet and means for applying negative pressure to the drain line to draw the excess liquid upwardly from the captured volume until the liquid level reaches the inlet and entry of air disrupts the liquid draining effect. The embodiment shown employs a closed volume, a vent, a conduit for delivery of process liquid into the cell under pressure and a syphon/drain line for removing excess liquid from the cell volume until there remains only a sample of accurately repeatable volume.

Abstract: The invention is a catalytic air cleaner made from a double spiral formed by winding together two strips of metal. The strips are coated with a combustion catalyst. One spiral passage leads into the core of the spiral and the other passage leads out of the core. An electric resistance heater supplies heat at the core of the spiral. The outflowing air transfers this heat to the inflowing air, through the walls of the spiral. Because of this heat exchange, the difference between the temperature of the air at the core and the air entering the spiral can be many times the difference between the temperature of the air entering and leaving the spiral. Contaminants in the air are burned on the catalytic surface with a minimum input of heat. The invention also includes a method of designing a spiral having optimum characteristics.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for the detection of cancer using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically, NMR parameters for protons of lipid methyl and/or methylene groups are determined and compared against a corresponding value for healthy patients. In the preferred embodiments, an NMR spectrometer is employed in conjunction with a Fourier transformer to provide a spectrum for non-water components of blood, blood serum or blood plasma and the width of the methyl and/or methylene groups is measured at half-height as a determination of spin-spin relaxation time (T.sub.2) which is the parameter used for purposes of comparison with healthy controls. Suppression of the water proton signal is employed where necessary in order to obtain a suitable spectrum for the non-water component protons.

Abstract: A sensing device 50 comprising an O.sub.2 sensor 22, a pump 37, a compressor 19, and a heater 21 is provided to quickly sense the amount of O.sub.2 in a combustion product gas. A sample of the combustion product gas is compressed to a pressure slightly above one atmosphere by compressor 19. Next, heater 21 heats the sample between 800.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. Next, pump 37 causes the sample to be flushed against electrode 32 located in O.sub.2 sensor 22 6000 to 10,000 times per second. Reference air at approximately one atmosphere is provided to electrode 31 of O.sub.2 sensor 22. Accordingly, O.sub.2 sensor 22 produces a voltage which is proportional to the amount of oxygen in the combustion product gas. This voltage may be used to control the amount of O.sub.2 entering into the combustion chamber 10 which produces the combustion product gas.

Abstract: In a membrane type artificial lung using as gas-exchange membranes porous hydrophobic membranes having a wall thickness in the range of 5 to 80 .mu.m, a porosity in the range of 20 to 80%, and a pore diameter in the range of 0.01 to 5 .mu.m, the minute pores of the membranes are blocked with minute particles of silica having a diameter smaller than the pore diameter and having a hydrophobic surface at least on the sides thereof intended for exposure to blood. Optionally, the gas-exchange membranes have the surfaces for exposure to blood coated with a biocompatible hydrophobic resin.

Abstract: A variable pipette is disclosed which is so designed that its volumetric capacity for sucking and discharging a sample is variable. A first-stage stroke l.sub.1 for sucking and discharging a sample is defined between a first first-stage stop portion of a nut and a second first-stage stop portion of an actuating shaft, and this stroke l.sub.1 is set through the actuating shaft, a first stop portion of a threaded hollow shaft, the hollow shaft and the nut, not through any portion of the body of the pipette. Therefore, even if the temperature of the body is raised by the heat transmitted from the operator's hand as it grips the pipette and the body is thereby expanded axially, the above-described stroke l.sub.1 is independent of the expansion of the body and there is therefore hardly any error produced in the stroke l.sub.1.

Abstract: A catalytic element is encased in a shell in such a way as to be held tightly between shell halves but not fixed to same. A pair of stoppers for preventing endwise movement of the catalytic element is provided to the shell. A predetermined clearance is provided between each of the stoppers and each end of the catalytic element so as to allow such movement of the catalytic element relative to the shell that results from a thermal expansion differential between the catalytic element and the shell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-line monitoring of a characteristic of a process liquid stream includes a cell for isolating a precise volume of the liquid. A sample chamber is over filled and the excess removed from the chamber by using a downwardly extending drain line which terminates at a precisely positioned, downwardly facing inlet negative pressure is applied to the drain line to draw the excess liquid upwardly from the captured volume until the liquid level reaches the inlet and entry of air disrupts the liquid draining effect. The embodiment shown employs a closed volume, a vent, a conduit for delivery of process liquid into the cell under pressure and a syphon/drain line for removing excess liquid from the cell volume until there remains only a sample of accurately repeatable volume.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and blood oxgenator apparatus includes a housing having a blood inlet portion, a blood outlet portion, and a housing wall defining an enclosed chamber disposed along a chamber axis between the blood input portion and the blood output portion through which to pass a quantity of blood to be temperature controlled. A heat exchanger tube having an exterior surface and a hollow interior through which to pass a heat exchange medium for purposes of exchanging heat with a quantity of blood brought into contact with the exterior surface, is disposed in a generally helical coil that is mounted within the chamber to encircle the chamber axis. A scalloped inner surface is included on the housing wall to face generally inward toward the heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: An indicator sheet for an autoclave test pack wherein a pair of porous masses (10) are held in close superimposed relationship by means of a clamp (13) with the indicator sheet (12) sandwiched between them. The indicator sheet (12) has printed thereon a pattern of markings (14) formed from one or more substances which are adapted under steam sterilizing conditions to provide an indication of the presence of air and/or excessive moisture such that each is evident and individually identifiable.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the exhaust gases of diesel engines, and especially for removal of soot particulates, utilizing series connected filter elements installed in the cross section of a housing traversed by the exhaust gas, wherein at least one filter element carrying a catalyst that lowers the ignition temperature of the soot and assists in soot burn off alternates several times with at least one filter element carrying a catalyst that assists the combustion of gaseous pollutants.

Abstract: A filter strip and composite assemblies for filtering microliter quantities of fluids wherein a linear array of wells having open top and bottom ends are connected by frangible webs in spaced-apart relation with discrete filter membranes closing the bottom ends of each well. Tabs are provided on the ends of the filter strip for holding the same and supporting the strip in a rectangular holder having alphanumeric designations for identifying each well in a plurality of such filter strips contained within the holder. The filter strip may be used in a vacuum manifold for applying a pressure differential across the filter membrane and directing the filtrate into an aligned aperture of a closed bottom well of an array of wells held within the manifold. Alternatively, the filter strip may be used with a transfer plate for directing the filtrate from each well of the filter strip to an aligned well of a closed bottom array of wells.

Abstract: An unplumbed sterilizer is provided with an exhaust valve means which allows automatic liquid introduction to the sterilizing chamber with the door closed even after a prior sterilization cycle has been run. The exhaust valve means also minimizes the possibility of trapping air within the chamber.

Abstract: A disposable container in which samples can be routinely prepared for analysis. The container has a generally cylindrical magazine containing a plurality of open top sample preparation chambers, each of which is provided with an inlet/outlet port at the bottom, thereof; and a distributor valve beneath the magazine. Channels are provided in the top of the valve, extending between openings in the top of the valve, so that each channel provides fluid flow communication between the ports of the chambers located above the openings in the channel. The valve and magazine can be rotated relative to one another about the central axis of the magazine, so that the openings in the channels can be located beneath the ports of different combinations of chambers to provide fluid flow communication between different chambers.

Abstract: An appliance for disinfecting/sterilizing contact lenses having a valve for the venting of gases liberated from the lens solution in the form of a deformable, polymeric plug which is movable between a closed and an open position, depending on the pressure of the gases.

Abstract: A closure and container assembly biological sterility indicator having a container, a closure, test spores, growth and indicator media, and a frangible barrier for separating the growth medium from the test spores is shown. The closure is moveable in the container between open and closed positions. When in the open position, sterilant may flow into and out of the container via a tortuous pathway defined by the interior surface of the container or the exterior surface of the closure. The tortuous pathway may also include one or more openings in the wall of the closure. When the closure is in the closed position, the container is sealed. The sterility indicator may be assembled with the test spores impregnated on a spore strip which is placed in close proximity to the closure.

Abstract: A microwave-based apparatus for rapid digestion of a sampel by a Kjeldahl method is provided which includes a reaction vessel surrounded by an insulator in the form of, for example, a cup. The reaction vessel is disposed in the internal chamber of a microwave system, which includes a wall having an aperture. A connector tube is slidably disposed in the aperture, wherein one end of the tube is connected to the mouth of the reaction vessel, and the other end is connected to a suction device external to the chamber. A biasing element is provided outside the chamber to assist in joining the slidable connector tube to the mouth of the vessel, yet enabling removal of the vessel from the chamber without detachment of the biasing element.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.