Abstract: A blood aerator comprises an aerating vessel having a vessel body provided with ports for a gas- and liquid-tight connection to a blood hose and at least one gas hose. A simplified and reliable handling is permitted in that a port for the blood hose and a port for a lower gas hose are separately provided on the bottom portion of the vessel body, the port for the lower gas hose contains a hydrophobic filter element, which is impermeable to blood and permeable to gas, and the port for a second gas hose is provided on the top portion of the vessel body.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for use in an automobile exhaust gas system suitable for use with an alcohol-containing fuel is provided. Preferably, the catalytic converter contains a palladium-impregnated ceramic honeycomb monolith disposed upstream of a platinum/rhodium-impregnated ceramic honeycomb monolith relative to the exhaust gas flow, such that the exhaust gas contacts the palladium-impregnated monolith before contacting the platinum/rhodium-impregnated monolith.

Abstract: A membrane type artificial lung uses a gas-exchange membrane having at least the surface thereof for exposure to blood or the minute pores therein coated or blocked with a vinyl type copolymer having as one of the components thereof a vinyl monomer possessing a perfluoroalkyl side chain. The gas-exchange membrane of the artificial lung is manufactured by a method which comprises bringing at least the surface of the gas-exchange membrane for exposure to blood into contact with a solution of the vinyl type copolymer and subsequently vaporizing the solvent in the solution.

Abstract: A hand-held, manually operated pipetter having a variable volume controlled by a rotating spindle and adjusting screw that control the position of a stop which limits the upper end of the stroke of the pipetter piston. The lower end of the stroke is controlled by a movable stop urged to a first position by a blow-out spring which may be overcome with additional force applied to the pipetter piston when the lower stop is engaged. The pipetter also includes a stripper which surrounds the tip holder and which is actuated by a rod movable in the body of the pipetter along a path parallel to the path of the pipetter piston. The pipetter piston and the stripper rod are controlled by separate actuators which may readily be engaged by the thumb of the hand which holds the body of the device.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device for a motor vehicle is constructed of a metal casing open at both ends thereof and a honeycomb core body fixedly enclosed within the metal casing. The honeycomb core body has been formed by superposing a planar band made of a metal sheet and a corrugated band made from another metal sheet one over the other in a contiguous relationship. The honeycomb core body defines a number of network-patterned axial gas flow passages and is adapted to carry an exhaust gas cleaning catalyst. At least one fin is fixed on an outer peripheral wall of the metal casing.

Abstract: A consumable article for diffusing active volatile substances, in particular perfume, into the ambient atmosphere, the article comprising a support element of shrinkable material, in particular heat shrink material, with the volatile substance being absorbed in the support element. The invention also provides a method of diffusing volatile substances, in particular perfume, by means of an article of this type, and also a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A pipetting system having a plurality of fittings whose spacing can be simultaneously expanded from one dimension to another. Increasing the spacing is accomplished by pulling a rod, attached to one fitting, which elongates the series of fittings to a second position. In addition, there is a release mechanism for removing disposable tips attached to the fittings. The release mechanism can be operated in either position of the fittings. The mechanism is trigger actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a body of air by using a regenerative solid amine material arranged in beds 14(A-D) is disclosed. Air is directed through a first bed to adsorb the carbon dioxide therefrom. Steam is impelled by a compressor (24) into the first bed to desorb that bed, the steam forming a condensate on that bed. The compressor then creates a vacuum in the first bed which vaporizes the condensate therein, dewatering the first bed so that it may be reused to adsorb carbon dioxide. The compressor impels the vaporized condensate into a second bed to desorb the adsorbed carbon dioxide in the second bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for incubating and/or incubating shaking biological test specimens having a detachable autoclavable chamber. The main incubating chamber is provided with a support plate and diffuser plate for directing a controlled flow of heated air to the biological test specimen. A transverse blower is provided to assist in providing uniform air flow within the main incubating chamber.

Abstract: A disposable preselected-volume capillary pipet device comprises a capillary tube having an admitting emitting end for liquids and a vent end for passing air from the tube as the liquid is being drawn into the tube by capillary action, a port at the admitting-emitting end for admitting and emitting liquids to the capillary tube, a port at the vent end of the tube for passing air freely from the tube, a barrier plug for passing air and stopping the passage of liquid through the tube, with the barrier plug being positioned in the tube at a preselected distance from the admitting-emitting port to define a liquid chamber of preselected volume, and a plunger for pushing the barrier plug from the vent end to push the preselected volume of liquid out of the liquid chamber. The barrier plug may be mounted in the tube or in the head of the plunger.

Abstract: A pipetting system having a plurality of fittings whose spacing can be individually adjusted by sliding the fittings along a track. Changing the spacing is accomplished by releasing a clamping plate which secures the fittings to the track. The fittings are then slid into the desired position and reclamped. In addition, there is a stripper mechanism for removing disposable tips attached to the fittings. The release mechanism can be operated in any positioning of the fittings. The mechanism is trigger actuated.

Abstract: An automated immunoassay analyzser comprising a transfer route on which test plates each having a plurality of chambers for immunological reaction opened upwards are transferred continually with a constant interval of time, and devices of at least A, B, C and D described below which are arranged on the transfer route from upstream to downstream in the order referred to in which the device A is for injecting the sample comprising a vertically and horizonally driven support, a pipet fixed to the support, and a nozzle tip usable for a single sample and removably attached to the lower end of the pipet, the device B is for B/F separation and the device C is for injecting the substrate solution and both devices are integratedly combined and comprise a vertically and horizontally driven support, a washing tube supported by the support, a temperature controllable solution reservoir block fixed to the support, a substrate injection tube provided to the lower side of the reservoir block, the washing tube and the substr

Abstract: A thin film environmental monitor for monitoring a person's exposure to an analyte in an environment, comprising a portable casing for housing the monitor, a pump in the casing for obtaining an air sample, and a sensor in the casing for sensing the concentration of the analyte in the air sample obtained by the pump. The sensor includes an active film portion coated with a dry coating adapted to cause a chemical reaction with the analyte, and a reference film portion for transmitting incident light independently of the concentration of analyte in the air sample. The sensor generates an active signal representing the amount of light transmitted by the active film portion and a reference signal representing the amount of light transmitted by the reference film portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the substantial separation on a continuous flow basis of immisicible liquids flowing as a common stream, with one of said liquids substantially encapsulating another of said liquids, in a flow conduit. The conduit comprises an inner surface which is selectively "wettable" by one of the liquids to the substantial exclusion of another of the liquids; and the liquid separator apparatus are disposed in the conduit and operate to substantially separate the liquids, or at least a portion of one of the liquids, from the common liquids stream as that stream flows into contact with the separator apparatus in the conduit.Apparatus and method for the introduction of a liquid on a continuous flow basis into a flowing stream of another liquid which is immisicible therewith and is flowing in a flow conduit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel blood oxygenation apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger, and a gas exchanger which functions by internal flow of an oxygen-enriched gas. The heat exchanger is disposed with the gas-exchanger in a common compartment through which blood requiring oxygenation is passed.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood circuit comprises a generally cylindrically shaped blood reservoir; a generally cylindrically shaped oxygenator arranged coaxially and adjacently below said reservoir; and a generally cylindrically shaped heat exchanger attached coaxially and adjacently below said oxygenator. The reservoir encloses an upper defoamer and multiple filter element adapted to receive cardiotomy blood within the interior of said upper element and to discharge treated blood to said reservoir; and a lower defoamer and filter element adapted to receive arterial blood within the interior of said lower element and to discharge treated blood to said reservoir; and has a lower blood outlet. The oxygenator has an inlet adapted to integrally receive blood directly from the outlet of said heat exchanger and an outlet adapted to return the oxygenated blood to the patient.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type oxygenator is provided wherein a bundle of a plurality of hollow porous fibers presenting gas exchange membranes axially extends through a housing to define a first flow path for oxygen, a pair of partitions support the opposed open ends of the hollow fibers to isolate the open ends from the first flow path to define a second flow path through the fiber cavities for blood, and the micropores in the hollow fibers are filled with a silicone compound, for example, a RTV silicone rubber or a blend thereof with a silicone oil while the hollow fibers on their side wall are substantially free of a layer of the silicone compound. The oxygenator is manufactured by prefabricating an oxygenator module of the above-mentioned construction, impregnating the hollow fibers with a solution of the silicone compound, and passing a cleaning liquid to remove excessive silicone compound, thereby filling only the micropores with the silicone compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing and measuring chemical reactions includes a reaction test apparatus having reaction wells wherein reactants are controllably mixed, and exposure apparatus which receives and positions the reaction test apparatus adjacent a photographic film. Each of the reaction wells includes at least two reaction cups, arranged one above the other. The uppermost reaction cups have orifices in the bottoms, so that liquid can be mixed and reacted in the uppermost cup, and then controllably transferred to the lower cup to be mixed with additional reactants. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction cups are supported in plates that are structurally integral with the cups, and are superimposed to make a test block. The test block is retained in the exposure apparatus, and liquid is forced from the upper cup to the lower cup by application of pressure to the top of the upper cup.

Abstract: A blood containment device including a housing with an opening through which an adhesive ply of multi-ply material is exposed. Blood is expelled from a syringe onto the exposed material. The housing has two chambers, one for the clean material and one for containing a take-up reel onto which the bvlood stained material is wound. A removable tension plate is supported within the housing to hold the absorbent material taut beneath the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A plurality of disposable cartridges, each having a plurality of wells including at least one assay reaction well, are loaded in a plurality of openings arranged radially around a rack of a carousel. Securing of the cartridges in a predetermined orientation and position in said openings is ensured by means of alignment and securing means on the cartridges and corresponding means on the rack. A locking hub with tangs is mounted on the rack and is rotated to cause the tangs to contact locator tabs on each cartridge to force locator nubs on each of the cartridges radially into corresponding notches on the rack, and to accurately wedge the cartridges against the outer periphery of the rack. The carousel indexes for positioning the cartridges under a variety of stations, one of which generally contains an optical reader such as a fluorometer.