Abstract: An automatic shell reloader is provided. The shell reloader includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel which, in turn, is pivotally secured at its perimeter to the actuator of the shell reloader. The wheel leverages the power of the electric motor and provides precise control of the reloading operation. The shell reloader is also provided with a current sensing switch to attenuate the electric motor in response to detection of a malfunction.

Abstract: A shell reloading tool is provided with a current sensor designed to automatically detect conditions indicative of a crushed shell and reverse and stop the motor to allow the hull to be removed and fixed prior to any additional damage being caused to the hull or reloader. A circuit board is provided to override the current sensor at the initial startup of the motor and at the highest pressure point of the reloading process.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing multiple simultaneous reactions on a reaction surface are disclosed. Methods and devices for simultaneously interrogating multiple patient samples with multiple diagnostic reagents are disclosed.

Abstract: A microtiter plate having at least one well and a lid having at least one insert which seals and reduces the volume of the well and methods of using the combination of the well and insert are described herein.

Abstract: A flat plate dialysis and ultrafiltration cell and system are provided, having a sample chamber, syringe docking port, with a seal capable of providing a fluid-tight seal after being pierced by a needle, a needle stop capable of preventing a needle from entering the sample chamber, and a needle guide formed in a funnel shape in the syringe docking port to guide a needle toward the sample chamber. The sample chamber is also provided with a dialysis or ultrafiltration membrane provided along a portion of the chamber. The sample chamber is fluidly coupled to a distal end of the syringe docking port and a vent hole.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the presence of specific nucleotide sequences in a target DNA sample is provided. The nucleotide detection system comprises a flat plate detection cell having a sample chamber, a membrane and an optical window providing optical access to the interior of the cell. A target DNA sample is mixed with labeled nucleotides and other chemistries, and undergoes a chemical reaction, such that if the DNA sample has the nucleotide, the resulting mixture will contain labeled nucleotides that have undergone a change in molecular weight. The reacted sample is applied to the sample chamber and the membrane in the flat plate nucleotide detection system is utilized to effect the separation of the smaller molecular weight labels from the sample.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from water includes mixing droplets of a substantially non-water soluble oil with water to combine with the contaminant. The oil can include polar or ionic functional groups. A chemical destabilizer is added to the water to coagulate and aggregate the oil-contaminant mixture. The mixture is then separated from the water by gravity settling, filtration, or dissolved air flotation, thereby removing the contaminant.

Abstract: A system and method for the filtration of a solvent-particulate waste stream, such as a water solvent-particulate waste stream derived from the washing of a printing press blanket. The system and method include pumping and circulating under pressure the waste stream from a processing container through a filter to provide for a clarified solvent stream for reuse and a concentrated waste stream which is recycled back to the processing container. The system and method also include maintaining the recirculation flow rate at least than about 0.05 gallons per minute per square foot of filter surface (GFD) and removing a clarified solvent stream at a rate of less than about 2-3 gallons of flux per square foot of filter surface per day, while maintaining the pressure in the filter at a pressure of greater than about 25 psi and recycling the clarified solvent stream back for reuse in the system.

Abstract: A spirally wound ultrafiltration filter cartridge system and method which comprises a membrane sheet material forming a closed loop having a one end and an other end with first and second open spacer sheet materials, the membrane sheet material and spacer sheet material wrapped about a perforated center tube, the membrane sheet material sealed at either end by solid resin headers, the filter cartridge forming spirally wound permeate and concentrate flow channels and having a tangential, elongated feed inlet on the exterior surface of the filter cartridge. A concentrate stream is removed from the center tube and a permeate stream is removed from the one end of the closed loop of the membrane sheet material. The method of manufacture comprises spirally winding the closed end loop sheet material and the spacer sheet material about a perforated center tube and sealing either end of the membrane sheet material with a ptting resin.

Abstract: A bag filling method and apparatus for preparing pharmaceutical steril solutions in a plurality of sterile flexible bags in a non-sterile environment, which method and apparatus comprise providing a pre-sterilized tubular bag having a single inlet, introducing a solution through a sterilizing filter and introducing the sterile solution into the inlet of the tubular bag and sealing defined sections of the tubular bag after filling to a defined volume of the sterile solution to form a plurality of separate, flexible, sterile bags thereby providing a rapid, inexpensive, automated method and apparatus to prepare sterile solutions in bags.

Abstract: Water substantially free of pyrogens and microorganisms that meets the requirements of United States Pharmacopoeia Standard USP XX Water for Injection is produced by processing drinking quality water through a filtration step adapted to remove organic contaminants and impurities that degrade downstream seperation membranes, a reverse osmosis step to remove dissolved solids, pyrogens, microorganisms and chemical contamination, a deionization step to further remove dissolved solids, and an ultrafiltration step to remove pyrogens. A sterile filter to remove microorganisms increases the water quality to USP XX Sterile Water for Injection. Means are provided to periodically remove accumulated chemical contaminants, pyrogens and microorganisms from the reverse osmosis apparatus, the deionization apparatus and the ultrafiltration apparatus. The sterile water can be admixed with a sterile concentrate composition to produce a sterile dilute solution that can be packaged under sterile conditions.