Abstract: Genetic markets for identifying bovine carriers of complex vertebral malformation (CVM) disease gene are described. The genetic markers, including the microsatellite markers BM4129, INRAA003, BMS2790, ILSTS029, INRA123, BM220, HUJ246, BMS862, BMS937, BL1048, BMS2095 and BMS1266 and the bovine SLC35A3 gene, are located on bovine chromosome BTA3. The G/T polymorphism at position 559 of the bovine SLC35A3 gene is identified as being causative and diagnostic for CVM in cattle.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating a component, such as fibrin I from blood, by centrifugation. The method involves feeding of blood admixed an anticlotter to a first annular chamber in a device, where the annular chamber is defined by a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, both walls extending coaxially about a common axis, as well as by a top wall and a bottom wall, where the top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. The method involves furthermore a centrifugation of the device about the said common axis followed by a resulting liquid fraction being transferred while influenced by the piston body to a second chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall, which extends coaxially with said common axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for maintaining the integrity of blood products throughout preparation, processing and application to a patient or desired site. Coding methods are incorporated onto or into processing and delivery containers which coding methods contain information identifying the donor and/or recipient. Additionally or alternatively the coding methods may contain information pertaining to a specific preparation or application process to be carried out. Blood product processors and blood product applicators include decoding methods to ensure the blood product is administered to the appropriate recipient and further that it has been prepared and applied according to desired processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microphone unit for use in connection with a communication device, where the microphone unit comprise:—a linear array of two or more microphones (A,B,C,D,);—a signal processing unit which receives the signals from a number of the microphones in the array and which through signal processing provides an output signal with a degree of direction-ality, output means for the signal resulting from the signal processing. According to the invention the microphones (A,B,C,D) are directional microphones of the dipole type mounted with the ports of the dipole pointing in the direction of the linear array thereby enlarging the port spacing of the microphones (A,B,C,D).

Abstract: Genetic markets for identifying bovine carriers of complex vertebral malformation (CVM) disease gene are described. The genetic markers, including the microsatellite markers BM4129, INRAA003, BMS2790, ILSTS029, INRA123, BM220, HUJ246, BMS862, BMS937, BL1048, BMS2095 and BMS1266 and the bovine SLC35A3 gene, are located on bovine chromosome BTA3. The G/T polymorphism at position 559 of the bovine SLC35A3 gene is identified as being causative and diagnostic for CVM in cattle.

Abstract: A novel device and method for applying two or more liquid components, for example fibrin sealant-forming components, comprises sources of the components fliud communication with, but remote from, an applicator for delivering the components to a desired site. Preferably, the user of such a device and method can actuate the application of the components by providing a signal to a controller which dispenses components from their sources to, and out of, the applicator. Greater ease, accuracy and control are realized by the user since the sources of components and controller are remote from the applicator and therefore not manually held by the user.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a directional application system for applying one or more components to a desired internal site in a human or animal within a range of angular directions is disclosed. The present system comprises a source of the components; means for fluid communication integral at a first end with the source of components and at a second end with a directional nozzle; and a directional nozzle comprising an inner tube of resilient material integral at a first end with the second end of the fluid communication means and having a nozzle at a second end, the second end being bent to the maximum angle within the desired range of directions; and an outer tube of a material more rigid than the inner tube and having an opening at one end to allow the inner tube to slidably project through the opening, whereby the amount of projection of the bent end of the inner tubing through the opening determines the angular direction of the nozzle.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices which provide enhanced mixing and application of two liquid components to form a biomaterial with minimized aerosols is achieved using air flow rates below about 1.25 liters/minute in combination with a ratio of air flow to total liquid flow of from about 150:1 up to about 1500:1. Preferably the air flow is below about 1 liter/minute and the ratio of air flow to total liquid flow is from about 200:1 to about 1200:1. The parameters are ideally suited for the spray application of components which form a surgical sealant, e.g., a fibrin sealant. Also a part of the present invention are novel application methods for biomaterial, e.g., surgical sealant, components at liquid flows below 1.9 ml/minute, novel methods involving the mixing of such components on the exit surface of a spray tip or nozzle, novel spray tips and biomaterial applicators and methods for making such applicators.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices which provide enhanced mixing and application of two liquid components to form a biomaterial with minimized aerosols is achieved using air flow rates below about 1.25 liters/minute in combination with a ratio of air flow to total liquid flow of from about 150:1 up to about 1500:1. Preferably the air flow is below about 1 liter/minute and the ratio of air flow to total liquid flow is from about 200:1 to about 1200:1. The parameters are ideally suited for the spray application of components which form a surgical sealant, e.g., a fibrin sealant. Also a part of the present invention are novel application methods for biomaterial, e.g., surgical sealant, components at liquid flows below 1.9 ml/minute, novel methods involving the mixing of such components on the exit surface of a spray tip or nozzle, novel spray tips and biomaterial applicators and methods for making such applicators.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to centrifuge and furthermore automatically handle a container (10) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from plasma. The container (10) comprises a cylindrical member (11) and a piston (25) displaceable therein and comprising a tubular piston rod (12), which extends through the top wall. The piston (25) divides the cylindrical member (11) into a first chamber positioned above said piston (25) between said piston and said top wall and a second chamber positioned below said piston (25). The apparatus comprises a supporting turntable (1) with means for releasably retaining the cylindrical member (11), said supporting turntable being connected to a first activating mechanism (5) for rotating the supporting turntable (1) with the container (10) about the central axis thereof. The apparatus comprises furthermore a rotatably journalled piston activating mechanism (13, 15, 16) adapted to activate the piston by means of a second activating means (21).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma comprises a container (110) with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where said reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and comprises means for supplying said reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus comprises furthermore a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and said agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing said polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container (110) comprises means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving said non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: in a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: A device for separating components, such as fibrin I from blood, by way of centrifugation about a central axis of rotation comprises a first annular chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall, both walls being concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, and by a top wall and a bottom wall, where the top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. The device comprises furthermore a second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a first conduit and being defined by an outer cylindrical wall concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, said bottom wall of the first chamber, and another bottom wall. The second chamber is adapted to be placed below the first chamber during the centrifugation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a blood component, e.g., fibrin monomer, from blood or plasma ?comprises! includes a container ?(110)! with a reaction chamber for receiving the plasma, where ?said! the reaction chamber is defined by an outer wall and ?comprises! includes means for supplying ?said! the reaction chamber with an agent for converting the fibrinogen content of the plasma into a non-cross-linked fibrin polymer. The apparatus ?comprises furthermore! also includes a device for centrifuging the reaction chamber with the plasma and ?said! the agent to a degree sufficient for separating the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer from the plasma, for depositing ?said! the polymer on the outer wall of the reaction chamber, and for expelling the remaining plasma from the reaction chamber. The container ?(110) comprises! includes means for supplying the reaction chamber with a solvent for dissolving ?said! the non-cross-linked fibrin polymer.

Abstract: A device for separating components, such as fibrin I from blood, by way of centrifugation about a central axis of rotation comprises a first annular chamber defined by an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall, both walls being concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, and by a top wall and a bottom wall, where the top wall or the bottom wall is formed by a piston body displaceable within the first chamber. The device comprises furthermore a second chamber communicating with said first chamber through a first conduit and being defined by an outer cylindrical wall concentrically accommodated about the axis of rotation, said bottom wall of the first chamber, and another bottom wall. The second chamber is adapted to be placed below the first chamber during the centrifugation.

Abstract: By a method of atomising fluids a predetermined amount of fluid is provided between a first surface (63) and a second surface (68) being spaced from one another. The two surfaces (63, 68) are then moved towards one another, until the first surface over its entire extent essentially is in contact with the second surface. The movement is carried out at such a speed that the fluid between the two surfaces is pressed out to the ambience via the periphery of the surfaces with a velocity sufficient to atomise the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for centrifuging and furthermore automatically handling a container (10) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from plasma, where the container (10) comprises a cylindrical member (11) with a lower rim as well as a piston member (12) with a tubular piston rod (12) projecting upwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical member (11). The apparatus comprises a supporting turntable (1) with a first gripping member (27) releasably gripping the lower rim of the cylindrical member (11) when the container is placed thereon, the supporting turntable being connected to a first activator (5) for rotating the turntable (1) with the container (10) about the central axis thereof. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a rotatably journalled piston activating mechanism adapted to activate the piston (12) by way of a second activator (21) and provided with a second gripping member (13) for releasably gripping the piston rod (12).

Abstract: In a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for centrifuging and further automatically handling a container (110) for separating a component, such as fibrin monomer, from blood. The container (110) comprises a cylindrical member (27) and a piston displaceable in said cylindrical member, said piston comprising a tubular piston rod (8) extending through a top wall (73). The piston divides the cylindrical member (27) into a first chamber (70) positioned above said piston between said piston and the top wall (73), and a second chamber positioned below said piston. The top wall (73) of the container comprises an extension (90) defining a circumferential slit surrounding the outer side of the piston rod (8), whereby one end of said slit communicates in the axial direction with the first chamber. In addition, the first chamber communicates through a plurality of channels with the second chamber.

Abstract: A reagent delivery system comprises an axial hub passing through the center of two equal-diameter, spaced apart discs, wherein the hub and discs are positioned in a sleeve such that an annular reagent chamber is provided. When the sleeve is moved in either an up or down axial direction the so-formed chamber is opened and the reagent is released. Such a regent delivery system is particularly useful in a centrifuge for concentrating or preparing blood products.