Abstract: An apparatus and method provide automated collection and transfer of particles from a liquid suspension to a glass slide for visual examination. A solution which contains particles, for example cells, is drawn through a filter element so that particles too large to pass through the filter element collect against a first surface of the filter element. A transfer fluid, such as alcohol, is applied from a second surface of the filter element to the first surface, to transfer cells from the filter element to a glass slide positioned adjacent the filter element. An alternative transfer mechanism applies a selected pneumatic signal to the filter element for transferring collected cells to the viewing slide. The apparatus includes a device for dispersing the liquid suspension of particles prior to the collection process and particles collect against the filter element with a spatial distribution advantageous for visual examination. The transfer operation maintains this spatial distribution.

Abstract: A flexible tubular filtering material possessing a braided cord structure wherein a number of yarns are intercrossed with each other in the right and the left directions and braided into a cylindrical form, or said material additionally with the fiber assembly layer installed around the cylindrical periphery of the filtering material, which is free of bending obstruction and shows little textural change in the outer and inner peripheries of the curved portion against bend formation, and which possesses high particle removal efficiency and long service life; and a flexible filter element comprising this filtering material in a flexible casing.They are useful for liquid filters, specifically as a fuel filter for automobiles.

Abstract: A composite article comprising, in the unexpanded form, a fibrillated PTFE matrix and a combination of energy expandable hollow polymeric particles and sorptive particles, which composite, on applying energy such as steam, heat, or laser energy, provides an expanded article having increased void volume and decreased density. The expanded articles are porous and efficient articles for separation and purification applications. In flat or rolled form, the composite article can be used in separation devices.

Abstract: A composite material is disclosed that comprises a support membrane coated with an additive that reduces the thrombogenic character of the support. The support membrane is a copolymer of acrylonitrile and at least one ionic or ionizable monomer. The additive is a copolymer of acrylonitrile in which at least one of the comonomers is polyoxyethylene. The composite material of the invention is useful in the treatment of blood, and in particular, dialysis and plasmapheresis.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes an affinity member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a coating on the collection tube which has an affinity for the separated oil or degradation material from the gel material to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The affinity member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase.

Abstract: A device and a related method are provided for reclaiming or recovering dry cleaning solvent from otherwise disposable fluid contained within a separator or other suitable receptacle of a dry cleaning machine. The device includes an evaporator and a fluid transfer mechanism for transporting fluid evaporated by the evaporator through a filter that removes substantially all of the solvent present within the evaporated fluid. Alternatively, a filter can be interposed between the separator or other suitable receptacle and the evaporator so that solvent is filtered before reaching the evaporator. Consequently, the device substantially reclaims or recovers dry cleaning solvent that may still be present within the fluid that is to be otherwise disposed of from the separator or other suitable receptacle.

Abstract: A filter for the purification of platelets by dint of selective removal of leucocytes as extraneous matter from blood components, which filter has as a main part thereof a porous body possessing a three-dimensional reticularly continuous texture containing continuous open pores 6 to 12 .mu.m in average diameter and allowing substantially no presence of acute projection inside said pores.

Abstract: A processing system separates a cellular rich suspension into a cellular first constituent and cellular-free second constituent. The system includes a separation zone that receives the cellular rich suspension and discharges the first and second constituents. The system coordinates the flow of cellular rich suspension into the separation zone with the flow of the cellular-free second constituent from the separation zone to get a desired nominal separation efficiency. The system also recirculates the cellular first constituent back into the zone. By continuously recirculating the cellular first constituent back into the separation zone, the system is can get and maintain a desired volume of the first constituent, despite the volume of cellular rich suspension that is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the efficient removal of hazardous and nonhazardous volatile and semi-volatile organic materials from contaminated materials includes an evaporation/vacuum heating chamber that communicates with a microwave generator, a vacuum pressure system, a contaminated material in-feed system, and a residue removal system. The evaporation/vacuum heating chamber is fed with successive batches or a continuous supply of contaminated material and subjects the contaminated material to microwave energy and vacuum pressure to draw off volatile and semi-volatile material from the contaminated material as vapor and reduce the contaminated material to a dry residue. The vapors are drawn from the chamber by the vacuum pressure system and are condensed and collected. The dried material residue is removed from the chamber by the residue removal system and is also collected for later disposal or reuse.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil-based fluid from a surface that includes the steps of applying man-made fibers that absorb the oil-based fluid or a cloth made from the man-made fibers to the oil-based fluid on the surface, feeding the fibers or cloth having absorbed oil-based fluid to a device for applying force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid and applying force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid therefrom. The oil-based fluid recovered from the fibers and cloth can be put to a beneficial use. The fibers and cloth can be reused repeatedly. An apparatus capable of performing the method has rollers to apply the force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid from the fibers or cloth.

Abstract: A high efficiency leucocyte-depletion filter for use with packed red cell concentrate derived from freshly drawn blood comprises a fibrous filter medium with a pore size of from about 0.5 to less than 3.6 .mu.m and a CWST of from 53 to about 80. The filter is preferably used in conjunction with a gel prefilter and, optionally, a microaggregate filter so as to minimize clogging. In a preferred embodiment, the voids volume is about 60% to about 85%.

Abstract: A blood treatment apparatus having a circuit for circulating blood outside the body and designed to be connected to a patient via a single needle, including a blood treatment device such as a heamodialyzer, pumps for causing blood to flow through the circuit, a first blood expansion chamber located in the circuit upstream of the blood treatment device for temporarily storing a volume of blood to be treated, a second blood expansion chamber located downstream of the blood treatment device for temporarily storing a volume of treated blood, first and second pressure regulators, connected to the first and second blood expansion chambers, for adjusting pressure in the blood expansion chambers, and a controller for interacting with the regulators to maintain a substantially constant pressure in each of the first and second chambers during a treatment session.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation method for living cells is disclosed in which a cell containing solution is charged in a rotor chamber confined by a steam pressure-resistant wall. A rotor having septa is disposed in the rotor chamber. The septa are rotatable in the same direction at the same angular velocity as the rotor while at least part thereof is immersed in a solution in the rotor when cells are to be centrifuged from the cell-containing solution. After the cells are separated and adhered to the inner surface of the rotor, a supernatant in the rotor is discharged form the rotor. Then a fresh cultivating medium is introduced into the rotor, and the septa and the rotor are rotated at mutually different angular velocities while at least part of the septa is immersed in the fresh medium in the rotor. As a result, the cells are again suspended in the fresh medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chromatography, and provides in a chromatography column new end fittings and an insert. Each end fitting is a plastics plug which is screwed to the end of the column tube, and inside the end fitting is a shoulder which is engaged by an insert. The insert fits neatly into the column tube so that it can be used to press against the column packing. The insert also embodies a cavity for a frit, and the end of the insert which projects into the column and seats against the column packing, has a skirt which is flared so that the pressure inside the column will spread the skirt which is of flexible plastics material into sealing contact with the column inner wall forming an effective seal. The insert may be in one piece plastics material component, or it may be in two pieces, a plastic piece embodying the skirt and stainless steel piece has the portion which engages the shoulder.

Abstract: A filter (32) is provided for a medical sterilization container (10) having a port (18,22,24) allowing fluid communication between the interior of container (10) and the surrounding environment. A peripheral frame (44) is adapted to cooperate with the port (18,22,24). A plurality of cross-members (54) span an aperture (48) formed by a frame (44). A filter medium (58) is disposed across the aperture (48) so as to be interposed between the interior of the container and the cross-members (54).

Abstract: A method of recovering oil-based fluid and an article for use in the method disclosed, the method includes the steps of applying fibers or a cloth with a napped surface that absorb the oil-based fluid to the oil-based fluid on a surface. The fiber or cloth is capable of absorbing at least about 5 times its own weight in oil-based fluid and temporarily holding absorbed oil-based fluid therein until the absorbed oil-based fluid is recovered. The fiber or cloth is maintained in contact with the oil-based fluid until oil-based fluid is absorbed. Then, the fiber or cloth having absorbed oil-based fluid is retrieved from the surface. The oil-based fluid can be recovered from the fiber or cloth and put to a beneficial use. The fiber or cloth can be reused repeatedly. The article contains the fiber or cloth, can optionally contain a flotation material and can optionally have a container that holds the fiber or cloth.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting and evaluating an embryo contained in a fluid medium. The fluid containing the embryo is discharged into a receptacle and sequentially drained and filtered until the remaining fluid containing the embryo is located in the proximity of a transparent flat bottom wall. The receptacle includes sloped side walls to keep the embryo from sticking to the side walls. Vertically spaced filter meshes are provided on the side walls to allow sequential filtering and draining. The fluid is discharged through a tube directed away from the filter meshes to prevent the embryo from being lodged in the filter mesh. A light projection chamber can be provided to concentrate light on the flat bottom wall.

Abstract: A critical angle refractive index detector for production liquid chromatography systems with flow rates as low as 100 ml/min to 25 l/min or higher as the system requires and pressures up to 4000 psi. The detector includes a flow cell with a sensing chamber volume selected to provide maximum detector sensitivity and minimum pressure drop at the maximum flow rate of the system for accurate discernment of critical refractive index peaks of each constituent in the sample. Explosion protected controls for zero and span settings are located to the exterior of a purged safe enclosure containing the system.

Abstract: A single filtration device containing coated filter membranes and absolute pore filters is provided in which the membranes and absolute pore filters are present in two sections of the filter device. The filter device will remove up to about 98% of the endotoxins in addition to removing viruses with an efficiency of at least 4.6.times.10.sup.5 and DNA to less than 10 picograms per 500 mg sample.

Abstract: A plasma purification treatment which removes disease ailment causing constituents in the plasma of a patient suffering from diseases caused by those ailment causing constituents in this patient's plasma by plasma exchange made by sampling of plasma from the patient and returning the plasma sampled from the patient and purified by removing the ailment causing constituents to the patient; sampling an appropriate volume of plasma within 12% of the patient's whole circulating blood at the first time and gradually increased volume from the second time on until it reaches a predetermined target volume of plasma exchange, returning the sampled plasma at the previous time and purified.