Abstract: A process for trapping and confining microorganisms in air using water-soluble polymers is disclosed. The water-soluble polymers are readily soluble in water or a physiological diluent, have reasonable mechanical strength so that they can be transported without rupture, retain water and adhere to microorganisms. A process for the rapid and sensitive detection of microorganisms in air under aseptic conditions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for trapping and confining microorganisms in air using water-soluble polymers is disclosed. The water-soluble polymers are readily soluble in water or a physiological diluent, have reasonable mechanical strength so that they can be transported without rupture, retain water and adhere to microorganisms. A process for the rapid and sensitive detection of microorganisms in air under aseptic conditions is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device 1 of a support carrier 5, notably for a device handling at least one support carrier, wherein this support has a said “active” portion for contaminants. It includes a base plate 1 comprising a through aperture with dimensions substantially or larger than the dimensions of said active portion, first means 15a, 15b able to removably fix said support carrier 5, wherein said active portion of the support is positioned facing said aperture on a first side 12 of said base plate, and second means 16a, 16b able to fix an auxiliary element 6, 7 against the other face or the support carrier, wherein the support carrier is doubly fixed relatively to said base plate 1.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid, ultra sensitive and automatic counting of flourescent biological cells such as microorganisms, carried by a solid support such as a filter.

Abstract: Method for the rapid diagnostic of an infection of the urinary tract (UTI), by a specific examination of urine.The method of analyzing a urine specimen, for the rapid and simultaneous counting of both viable bacteria and leucocytes (white blood cells or WBC), consists of:(1) simultaneous labeling of said bacteria and said white blood cells (WBC) present in said urine specimen, with a fluorescent viability marker of bacteria, said marker tagging and accumulating in both bacteria and white blood cells, under the same conditions and leading to different fluorescent elements;(2) automatically counting all the fluorescent elements by photoelectric detection of the fluorescent marker; and(3) simultaneously classifying said fluorescent elements in fluorescent viable bacteria and in fluorescent white blood cells, in view to obtain in one part the total number of bacteria and on the other part, the total number of white blood cells, on the basis of their size.

Abstract: Apparatus and process capable of rapid detection and counting of rarely occuring mammalian cells in blood and other tissues which have been labeled with a fluorescent dye.The process includes: scanning a solid support on which a specimen potentially containing fluorescent cells has been deposited, with an incident beam from a laser, forming a laser spot on the solid support, the laser spot being substantially greater than the cells to be detected, the laser spot size being between 15 and 30 .mu.m; and simultaneously: detecting the resultant fluorescent light at least at one wavelength; establishing a set of correlated-features by a line-to-line correlation of individual features; comparing the correlated-features on each pair of adjacent lines in time synchrony, at least at two different wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.

Abstract: Process for rapid, ultrasensitive and automatic counting of fluorescent biological cells such as microorganims, carried by a solid support such as a filter.The process includes: scanning a solid support on which a specimen potentially containing microorganisms has been deposited, with an incident beam from a laser, forming a laser spot on the solid support, the laser spot being substantially greater than the microorganisms to be detected, the laser spot size being between 4 and 14 .mu.m and simultaneously: detecting the resultant fluorescent light at least at one wavelength; establishing a set of correlated-features by a line-to-line correlation of individual features; comparing said correlated-features on each pair of adjacent lines in time synchrony, at least at two different wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product to permit separation of cells in the domain of immunopurification and consisting of a finely divided carrier of a density lower than that of the medium from which such cells must be extracted, such carrier being covered with macromolecules capable of being specifically fixed to the cells to be extracted to which a priviliged orientation was given to enable fixation of such macromolecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a product to permit separation of cells in the domain of immunopurification and consisting of a finely divided carrier of a density lower than that of the medium from which such cells must be extracted, such carrier being covered with macromolecules capable of being specifically fixed to the cells to be extracted to which a privileged orientation was given to enable fixation of such macromolecules.