Abstract: Apparatus for drawing off and dispensing a predetermined quantity of liquid is of the type which includes a tube designed to contain said predetermined quantity of liquid. The tube has an open end via which the liquid is both drawn in and dispensed. The tube (10) is closed at an end (15) opposite from the open end (16). The inside volume of the tube (10) corresponds to the predetermined quantity. The tube (10) is rotated about an axis (11) by drive means. The tube axis (11) is spaced from over the complete length of the tube, from the closed end (15) to the open end (16). When the drive means rotate the tube in one direction, it is fully filled with the liquid (21) with the tube open end (16) immersed. When the drive means rotate the tube (10) in the opposite direction, it is fully emptied of the liquid (21) that it contains.

Abstract: The device for separating plasma from a sample of whole blood by centrifuging comprises:a distributor-divider disposed centrally and provided with n compartments communicating with a sample-receiving well and communicating with one another via notches;a ring separator including n receptacles communicating with the n compartments and with n outer cells and terminating in an open funnel; anda removable plasma collector fitted onto said funnel.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of cartridges (1) each containing serum, and reagents in a sachet. The cartridges are inserted into the automatic processing device (40) enabling the serum to be put into contact with the various reagents and then enabling the results to be read.

Abstract: A miniature laboratory (1) for performing biological analyses comprises a block (2) supporting two concentric turntables (3 and 4). The top turntable (3) carries preparation cartridges (6) each intended to receive a blood sample and to deliver a calibrated quantity of plasma therefrom. The bottom turntable (4) carries analysis cartridges (40) for analyzing the plasma from the cartridges (60).

Abstract: The device of the invention comprises a plurality of cartridges (1) containing serum, conjugate, substrate, blocking liquid, and a liquid-receiving well containing an antigen-carrying brush. A processing device (40) for simultaneously processing cartridges (1) considerably reduces the time required for the reaction compared with prior art devices.

Abstract: A linear magazine for storing and automatically dispensing objects (10) disposed in stacks or in lines within juxtaposed bins (1) includes an extractor cartridge (20) associated with each bin and co-operating with a cog belt (50) which is common to all of the bins. The invention is applicable to dispensing cassettes, books, cigarettes, spare parts, etc.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing objects has a plurality of superposed annular magazines constituting a fixed cylindrical structure. An object extraction control member rotatable about an axis by a stepper motor or the like is disposed at each level inside said cylindrical structure and cooperates with elements situated within the object-containing housings. The annular magazines being fixed have the object extraction control members rotatable relative thereto.

Abstract: A method of medically analyzing a liquid sample using a single-piece container (1) made of plastic. The container is divided into a sample storage chamber (4), a calibrated cell (6), a diluent storage chamber (30), and reaction chambers (40, 50, 60). Various centrifuging operations are performed to cause the sample and the diluent to pass successively through the various reaction chambers.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a liquid comprises: a pipette (1) constituted by a rod having a substantially spherical open element at its end, the element having a calibrated internal volume; mechanical device for holding this pipette either in a first position (51) for filling and for calibration purposes, or else in a second position (52) for emptying purposes; and mechanical device for rotating the pipette at high speed.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing objects the a plurality of superposed annular magazines constituting a cylindrical structure which is rotatable about an axis by a stepper motor or the like. An object extraction control member is disposed at each level inside or outside the cylindrical structure and serves to co-operate with elements situated within the object-containing housings. Alternatively, the annular magazines may be fixed and the object extraction control members may rotate relative thereto.

Abstract: The method in accordance with the invention provides antibiograms or bacteriological identification of colonies of micro-organisms. The method uses a cabinet (1) which supports a set of mechanical, thermal, optical, and electronic units, together with conditioning strips in which the various biochemical reactions take place. After being seeded with a micro-organism under investigation, a strip is placed on the cabinet and is then subjected to a sequence of mechanical, thermal, and optical operations.

Abstract: A method and a device for obtaining plasma from a few microliters of blood for analysis purposes. The method makes use a transfer strip (10) and a turntable for performing centrifuging operations.

Abstract: A method of performing medical analysis on a liquid sample makes use of a container (1) made from a single plastics molding, the container is compartmented so as to include a sample storage chamber (4), a calibrated cell (6), and a plurality of storage chambers (40, 50, 60) for liquid reagents. Various centrifuging operations are performed to cause the sample and the reagents to pass successively into an analysis vat (11).

Abstract: A method for performing a series of analyses on a single sample after automatically diluting said sample. The method uses a cabinet supporting a set of mechanical, optical, and electronic units together with conditioning strip (100) containing dry reagents and a diluent. After receiving a sample to be analyzed, each strip is located on the cabinet in order to be subjected to a sequence of mechanical and optical operations. The method in accordance with the invention is simple enough to be performed by medical practitioners in their own consulting rooms or offices.

Abstract: A method of performing biological analysis of a liquid sample using a one-piece plastic container (1), said container being compartmented to provide a storage chamber (4) for the sample, a calibrated cell (6), and a plurality of storage chambers (30, 40, 50) for various liquids such as a conjugate liquid, a substrate liquid, and a blocking liquid. A succession of centrifuging operations serve to successively pass the sample and said liquids into a reaction vat (11) containing a bead (17) which is initially covered in antigens or antibodies. Means are also provided for rinsing the bead (17).

Abstract: In a device for bringing a liquid sample successively into contact with a number of reagents, contact with the reagents is effected in a series of cells. These cells communicate with one another and are carried by a rotor, transfer of the liquid sample from one cell to another being effected by rotating the rotor. The direction of rotation of the rotor is reversed after each transfer operation. The number of cells constituting the series is at least equal to the number of reagents. The reagents are placed in the cells beforehand.

Abstract: A rotor (1) for performing a chemical reaction such as biological analysis with a sample liquid comprises: a rotatable container (2) having a vertical axis of rotation; a radially inner basin having radial partitions (4) dividing the basin into a plurality of compartments (3) for receiving an approximately-determined volume of the sample liquid, the approximately-determined volume being greater than the predetermined dose; a plurality of receptor cells (5) regularly distributed around the periphery of the rotor for receiving the liquid in the predetermined doses; and radially intermediate apparatus for conveying the liquid from the compartments to corresponding receptor cells under the effect of centrifugal force when the rotor is caused to rotate.

Abstract: In a method and device for bringing a liquid sample successively into contact with a number of reagents, contact with the reagents is effected in a series of cells. These cells communicate with one another and are carried by a rotor, transfer of the liquid sample from one cell to another being effected by rotating the rotor. The direction of rotation of the rotor is reversed after each transfer operation. The number of cells constituting the series is at least equal to the number of reagents. The reagents are placed in the cells beforehand.

Abstract: The conditioning device has a receptacle (5) which communicates with n calibrated analysis cells (10 to 19) in which the analysis reagents are placed the liquid to be analyzed being conveyed from the receptacle (5) towards the cells (10 to 19) by centrifuging. The device is in the form of a strip unit (1); the analysis cells (10 to 19) are preceded by tanks (20 to 29) of slightly larger volume, the cells (10 to 19) communicating with the tanks (20 to 29) via capillary orifices (30 to 39). At the time of centrifuging, the tanks are filled successively. The device is compact but allows a large number of analyses to be made rapidly.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically storing and dispensing objects. This apparatus includes vertical storage pigeon-holes (7) contained in horizontal racks in drawers (3). Each pigeon-hole is filled with a stack (30) of objects and has an object extractor mechanism at its base, said mechanism being provided with a trap-door (31) and with a mechanism which jams the last but one object of the stack before and during the opening of the trap-door (31). A moving carriage (23) in a passage which is below the pigeon-holes of a rack allows the object extractor mechanisms to be actuated and the objects extracted from the pigeon-holes to be pushed towards the front of the drawer (3).