Abstract: Concurrent operation of a sizable number of vacuum filtration units is facilitated by a rotatable carrier stand. Any selected one of the units may readily be turned to a position convenient to the operator without interruption of the vacuum connections and without entanglement of vacuum lines. Components of the filtration units may then be manipulated with a reduced risk of breakage, spillage or inadvertent disconnection of vacuum lines. Installation and removal of a filtration unit may be accomplished very quickly and simply with the use of only one hand in some cases. Simultaneous filtering operations may be performed more efficiently particularly within enclosures such as fume hoods, glove boxes or the like which otherwise restrict access to the filtration units by an operator.

Abstract: Analysis of images or specimens which exhibit visually distinguishable component areas of a plurality of different types, to determine the relative abundances, average sizes or other characteristics of such areas, is facilitated by a semi-automatic scanning system which includes an on-line data processor. The apparatus combines the superior area recognition ability of the human operator with the speed and ease of operation of fully automatic systems. A keyboard control unit has a plurality of manually operable keys any one of which may be actuated to drive the stage motor of a microscope through which the operator views the specimen and each of which generates a distinctive signal identifying a different specific type of area in the specimen. The data processor receives stage translation signals and the area classification signals and computes the desired data which may be visually displayed following a period of scanning.