Abstract: A manually operable, disposable diagnostic device which is useful for the rapid measurement of coagulation rates consists of a uniform bore reaction tube which may be used to take up the sample and contains the appropriate amounts of lyophilized reagents required to conduct individual tests such as that for prothrombin time. In an example, calibration marks on the tube have been correlated in terms of prothrombin times. The position at which a liquid sample becomes immobilized as it descends down the tube corresponds to the test time. The rate of descent is controlled by a limiting orifice or by inclining the tube to the vertical axis.

Abstract: A gas-sensor element for detecting reducing gases and vapors such as alcohols or carbon monoxide, or for determining oxygen concentration, which is characterized by comprising a complex metal oxide having a perovskite-type crystal structure and represented by the general formula A.sub.1.sub.-x A'.sub.x BO.sub.3.sub.- .sub..delta., wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements of the atomic numbers from 57 to 71, yttrium, and hafnium, A' is at least one element selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and lithium, B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of transition metals of the atomic numbers from 21 to 30, O is oxygen, x is in the range of 0 .ltoreq. x .ltoreq. 1, and .delta. is a nonstoichiometric parameter.

Abstract: A continuous flow of gas plasma is supplied to a space at a very low pressure in which the object to be sterilized is located. Cool plasma of a suitable gas such as argon is produced continually by being subjected to a radio-frequency field. Complex shapes such as capillary passages through a blood oxygenator can be sterilized by passing the gas plasma through them. The exterior of objects to be sterilized can be subjected to gas plasma in a space at a very low pressure either confined or unconfined. The space may, for example, be a packaging envelope, and subsequent to sterilization such envelope can be evacuated and collapsed onto the object to preserve its sterile character.

Abstract: A simulated alcoholic breath sample is provided by circulating a known volume of a gas such as air or non-alcoholic breath over the outer surface of a container filled with ethyl alcohol and maintained at a given temperature, the container having a wall permeable by ethyl alcohol at a known permeation rate. Circulation of the volume of gas is continued until the gas has the desired alcohol concentration.

Abstract: A process for measuring the isotope content of substances containing .sup.3 H or .sup.3 H and .sup.14 C isotopes in the gas phase, by converting the hydrogen content of the sample into water and the carbon content of the sample to a gaseous substance in simultaneous oxidation processes, separating the formed water and carbon dioxide, reconverting the .sup.3 H content of the water into gaseous form, introducing the gases containing .sup.3 H and possibly also .sup.14 C separately into a detecting unit, and determining the radioactivity of said gases, in which the tritium content of the water carrying the .sup.3 H radio-activity is bonded on a contact catalyst capable of water retention or adsorption and containing activated hydrogen, the gaseous mixture, containing also .sup.14 CO.sub.2 when a sample of .sup.

Abstract: A coating applied to a workpiece is removed therefrom and measured to determine the surface area of the workpiece.

Abstract: Pyrolysis analysis of a specimen is effected using a microscope; the specimen to be analysed is mounted on the platform of the microscope and the laser is mounted on the microscope such that the beam passes along the optical axis of the microscope, a total reflecting prism in the microscope being movable between a position on the microscope optical axis for observation of the specimen and a position off the optical axis to permit passage of the laser beam.

Abstract: In vitro method for assessing thyroid function based on an indirect estimation of the free thyroxine concentration of a sample of serum. Known amounts of a sample of serum to be tested and a radioactive labeled thyroxine solution are added to an alkaline crosslinked dextran gel column which serves to dissociate the serum thyroxine bound to thyroxine binding proteins. After washing the serum proteins from the column, a portion of the mixture of labeled and serum thyroxine is eluted from the column using a known amount of the serum sample and a known amount of eluting liquid containing thyroxine binding protein. The use of a portion of the serum sample normalizes the elution of free thyroxine against the thyroxine binding capacity of the serum sample.

Abstract: An improved reagent system for determining calcium by the orthocresolphthalein complexone color reaction. The reagent utilizes an alkaline buffer containing an aminoloweralkanol providing a pH of about 10.2 - 10.5. A method for using the reagent is also described. The composition is stable for extended periods.

Abstract: A press for compressing a liquid-bearing absorbent article to transfer a portion of the liquid materials to a contiguous article has two concentric pressure feet. One is an outer foot member that bears against the liquid-bearing article along the periphery of the pressure area, and the other is an inner, deformable and contoured foot member that applies pressure to the liquid-bearing article progressively along the pressure area. A photometer can be combined with the press to measure constituents or other properties of the liquid materials being transferred.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filtering and permanently separating the serum fraction from the cell fraction of centrifuged blood and the like. A separator head is passed through the serum and is positioned at the interface of the serum and the heavier red cells. As the separator head is positioned serum passes through a self-sealing passage in the separator head and into a collection tube that positions the separator head. Upon withdrawal of the collection tube the passage in the separator head closes sufficiently to effectively block the passage and the serum can be poured from the collection tube. The collection tube can be reinserted to pour off measured volumes of the serum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for simultaneously and continuously determining the total inorganic carbon, total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of an aqueous sample. The method involves first converting all inorganic carbon to CO.sub.2, the amount of which is determined. The organic carbon is converted, by treatment with an excess of an oxidizing agent, into CO.sub.2, which is conductimetrically determined (TOC), and the amount of remaining oxidizing agent is determined in a redox cell to ascertain how much of the oxidizing agent was consumed by the organic carbon. This is the COD.