Abstract: A membrane holder for use with a diagnostic device comprises an interlocking first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a top surface flush with a hole, while the bottom surface defines a raised ring, a projection in one corner and an orifice in another corner. The second plate has a top surface having a recess for accepting a membrane, within which is a hole and ribs emanating outwardly to a raised circular rib from which a recessed ring emmanates. The recessed ring of the second plate is adapted to accept the raised ring of the first plate. The top surface of the second plate further has a projection in one corner and an orifice in another corner which mate with those in the first plate. The bottom surface of the second plate has a member to guide liquid away from the membrane. To assemble, a membrane is placed in the recess on the top surface of the second plate.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for conducting enzymatic and chromogenic assays, the device having a plurality of test conduits therein, individual assay membrane assemblies disposed in each of the conduits, barrier walls extending between adjoining conduits to proximate a bottom wall of the device, to discourage liquid passing from one of the conduits to an adjoining conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method useful for disinfecting a contact lens are disclosed. The apparatus includes a color indicator element comprising a redox polymer containing a repeating unit which has a stable oxidized state and a stable reduced state. This color indicator element provides a color indication of the presence of the oxidative disinfectant, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, in the liquid medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for heat sterilizing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foodstuffs and other materials, which are labile to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen at elevated temperature and labile to other degradative changes through interaction with volatiles raised by exposure of the material to elevated temperature, comprising heating, for a given length of time, the material to be sterilized at a temperature required to achieve a predetermined degree of sterilization in a gaseous medium substantially devoid of oxygen; typically such a gaseous medium comprises a non reactive gas, such as, nitrogen, which is otherwise innocuous and capable of being purged at the end of the sterilization process at a pressure sufficient to facilitate the distribution of heat throughout the material being treated by convection.

Abstract: A needle suitable for piercing a septum of a vacuum sealed container and through which a measured fluid sample from the container may be withdrawn. The needle is capable of withdrawing fluid from small sample volumes, such that the dead volume remaining in the sealed container is reduced. The needle has an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, an unobstructed bore therethrough along the longitudinal axis, a free end, and an end region adjacent said free end which has a slight conical taper toward said free end at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The free end includes an oblique cut through the conically tapered end region at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis being substantially larger than the predetermined angle of the taper so as to produce an elliptical opening at the free end. The elliptical opening lies along a plane diagonal to the longitudinal axis. This produces a toe or tip that is reduced in height allowing for a decrease in dead volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor in which the gas is introduced by a gas feed pipe by at least one tube membrane. The tube membrane consists of a hollow cylinder with perforations or of a metal fabric on which a silicone hose is placed. On the silicone hose there is a fabric reinforcement to which another silicone membrane or a silicone rubber layer is applied.

Abstract: A package inspecting apparatus including a yarn end processing section for exerting suction air on the surfaces of packages while rotating trays on a running passage for trays on which packages are fitted, a package inspecting section in which a plurality of optical type package winding-form inspection devices are received in a dark room, and a weighing section provided with a weight measuring unit, the sections being arranged in series in the above order are integrated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the effect of the configuration of an outer surface of an object on the drag of the object. The apparatus comprises a housing, an inner block suspended in the housing, a motor for rotating the housing, and a torquemeter. The inner block is connected to the torquemeter by a suspending rod and universal joint. The method comprises attaching a layer of material having a desired surface configuration to the inner block and to the housing, filling the housing with a fluid, and driving the motor so that the housing is rotated. The magnitude of the torque on the inner block is then measured by the torquemeter. The rate of rotation of the housing and the temperature of the water are monitored.

Abstract: An acoustic rheometer working in the high frequency range comprises a torsional-mode transducer which is a crystal of the sillenites class, having a height that determines the resonance frequencies of the mode of torsion, and being provided with an electrical excitation means. Furthermore, the sensor is a rod made of an iron/nickel alloy having a very low thermoelastic coefficient. The rod is rigidly connected to the transducer. The respective diameters of the transducer and of the sensor are chosen so that the coefficient of reflection at the transducer/sensor interface is zero. The rheometer can be used in ink-based printing systems.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid, preferably molten glass. The apparatus and method uses the velocity of rising bubbles, preferably helium bubbles, within the molten glass to determine the viscosity of the molten glass. The bubbles are released from a tube positioned below the surface of the molten glass so that the bubbles pass successively between two sets of electrodes, one above the other, that are continuously monitoring the conductivity of the molten glass. The measured conductivity will change as a bubble passes between the electrodes enabling an accurate determination of when a bubble has passed between the electrodes. The velocity of rising bubbles can be determined from the time interval between a change in conductivity of the first electrode pair and the second, upper electrode pair.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for the culturing of mammalian cells. This method involves the use of a bioreactor, which contains a sample of mammalian cells in a culture medium containing large molecules. Positioned inside the bioreactor is a semipermeable membrane which defines a space separated from the bioreactor by the semipermeable membrane. A nutrient medium flows through this separated space and, via virtue of the semipermeable nature of the separating membrane, nutrient pass therethrough into the culture medium, while cellular waste products pass into the separated space. The semipermeable membrane is selected so that the cells and large molecules, such as proteinaceous materials, cannot pass through the membrane, but remain in the bioreactor.

Abstract: An array of reaction tube covers adapted to seal a plurality of reaction tubes comprises a unitary body of flexible material having a plurality of flexible plastic nodules. Each nodule is adapted to seal one of the reaction tubes. Each of the nodules is flexible held in a predetermined planar spaced relationship from each other in rows, preferably in rows and columns, by an integral web having a plurality of apertures therethrough. Each of the nodules has a downwardly convex, generally hemispherical lower portion extending from the web, an upwardly convex upper portion extending from the web over the lower portion, and a centrally domed nipple extending upwardly from the upper portion.

Abstract: The tube, known as a straw, according to the invention, is conventional in its form, and is constituted by a rectilinear length of transparent tubular envelope. In the vicinity of a first end, the straw contains a sliding stopper with a quantity of powder gellable by hydration between two porous pads. The tubular envelope is extruded from an ionomer resin marketed under the brand name of Surlyn 8921. Ionomer resins have, above and below a transition zone extending from 45.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. approximately, states that are respectively thermofusible and crosslinked. Thus, the straw can be closed by fusion of the ends clamped by heated jaws, while presenting suitable properties of rigidity at ambient temperature. Furthermore, the ionomer resin used does not have an embrittlement temperature, so that it can be manipulated at cryogenic temperatures (77 K.) without the need for taking any particular precautions. The filling and sealing of the straws can be automated, to ensure the safety of the operators.

Abstract: A data collection and sample handling apparatus having a frame which supports a tray for holding a plurality of test containers. The tray has a plurality of through holes and each test container is mateable within a corresponding through hole. At least one detector assembly is used to detect data from the contents or sample contained within each test container. Each detector assembly is supported by the frame. The tray is positioned on a top of the frame such that at least one test container is exposed to each detector assembly while at least one other test container is isolated from the detector assembly. A drive mechanism automatically moves the tray with respect to the detector assemblies. The drive mechanism is also used to position each test container within a corresponding detector assembly.

Abstract: An improved rheometer of the present invention includes an adjustable gap through which a flowing system is forced. The inner cavity dimension of the gap is variable so as to give a user of the rheometer an ability to vary the separation gap and the length over diameter ratio. This, in turn, allows the user to determine the shear rate and shear stress along the wall of the cavity for varying deformation rates. Thus, the shear viscosity of the flowing system can be characterized for non-Newtonian systems without varying the volumetric flow rate. One of the preferred embodiments of the adjustable gap rheometer is a slit rheometer in which the flowing system is forced through a slit having generally more length than width and more width than gap. The slit rheometer is made adjustable by holding the body of the rheometer stationary while moving an adjustable wall which forms one of the sides of the slit.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled, self-contained steam sterilizer is disclosed. Once the steam exposure phase is complete in the sterilizer, the microprocessor is programmed to operate the vaporizing heater in a low-power duty cycle to utilize the vaporizing heater as a drying heater in a lower power operating mode to effect a drying phase.

Abstract: This invention encompasses a slide reading assembly, and a slide with a porous filter membrane wherein the slide has a means for aligning the slide within a filter assembly to filter reagents on predetermined portions of the porous filter membrane and also to position the slide in a slide reading assembly so that detection will occur in those same predetermined locations.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to treat and dispose of medical waste materials to thereby enhance public heath and social hygiene. The medical waste material is sealed in a suitable nonflammable and long infrared radiation pervious container. The container with the waste material therein is subject to long infrared radiation for a sufficient period of time to heat the waste material to sterilizing temperature levels. The container and the sterilized waste materials are then crushed to reduce the same to granular form to facilitate convenient and safe ultimate disposal. Thus, medical waste materials can be treated and rendered harmless immediately and safely at the place where they are created. Such on-site treatment minimizes the cost involved in ultimate disposal and the potential for human contact with dangerous pathogenic waste.

Abstract: A conductive sensor and its use in a diagnostic assay are disclosed. The miniaturized conductive sensor, utilizing a conducting polymer, is used in a diagnostic device to determine the presence or concentration of a predetermined analyte in a liquid test sample, wherein the predetermined analyte, like glucose, is assayed by an oxidase interaction. The interaction between the oxidase and a small amount of the predetermined analyte in the test sample generates, either directly or indirectly, a dopant compound in a reaction zone of the conductive sensor. The dopant compound then migrates to the detection zone of the conductive sensor of the diagnostic device to oxidize the conducting polymer and convert the conducting polymer from an insulating form to a conducting form. The resulting increase in conductivity of the conducting polymer is measured, then the conductivity increase is correlated to the concentration of the predetermined analyte in the test sample.

Abstract: A sterilizer assembly for sterilizing infant accessories such as baby bottles, nipples, nipple hoods and collars simultaneously, especially in microwave ovens. Preferably, the assembly is formed from heat resistant, nonmetallic, microwavable materials and includes a base defining a receptacle for receiving water to be heated to form steam. A rack is received on the base over the water and preferably includes a plurality of upstanding supports removably mounted over steam passage apertures in the rack. A dome-like hood encloses the rack, supports, and any items to be sterilized. A vent member on the hood may be rotated to uncover an aperture and release steam from the assembly before removing the hood and after heating to avoid burn injuries. Each support will suspend a baby bottle or, alternately, will suspend a nipple hood, mount a nipple and locate a bottle collar all in position for effective steam contact and water drainage.