Abstract: An actuator for a liquid level sensing switch, particularly useful for testing level sensing switches on storage tanks and tanker cargo tanks. The actuator includes an elongated rod which is slidably supported on and extends through a two part body which may be supported on a flange or a deck portion above the tank. An elongated flexible cable interconnects the rod with a float member of the level sensing switch whereby the actuator rod may be pulled upward to effect movement of the float while, in the normal non-activated position of the actuator, the float may move freely between its limit positions for sensing liquid level in the tank.

Abstract: Centrifuged material layer volume measurements are made in a transparent capillary tube containing an elongated float which expands the layers being measured. The extent of layer expansion will vary depending on the tube bore diameter and the float diameter. The tube bore diameter and float diameter for each tube/float pair are measured, and an indication of the difference between the two is marked on the tube. When the volume determinations are made, the measured difference between the tube bore diameter and the float diameter is taken into account before calculating actual layer volume malues.

Abstract: The method of correcting readings of cell counts in a centrifuged blood sample contained in a transparent tube which also contains a transparent cylindrical float. Light absorption measurements are made at different locations in the tube. A beam of light is directed through the tube and the float and a light absorption reading is taken. A light beam is also directed through the sample above the float and another absorption reading is taken. The ratio of the two readings is determined and compared to a target ratio that is precalculated from an ideal tube and float. Any deviations from the target ratio are proportional to correction factors which are applied to the cell readings taken. A colorant is added to the sample to impart the light absorption capability thereto.

Abstract: In order to produce a more well defined interface between adjacent cell layers in a centrifuged sample of anticoagulated whole blood, a material which will bond one group of cells together is added to the blood sample prior to centrifugation. The bonding material must produce a high strength bond between one group of cells, but not effect the other cell types. The material is added prior to centrifugation of the blood sample.

Abstract: A whole blood sample is placed in a tube such as a capillary tube, with a plastic float. The float is axially elongated and has a specific gravity which causes it to float in the packed red blood cells when the sample is centrifuged in the tube. The hemoglobin concentration of the packed red blood cells is measured by measuring the depth that the float sinks into the red cell layer, and then the hemoglobin concentration of the blood is calculated. The hemoglobin can be measured in this manner because virtually the only red cell component which contributes density to the red cells is the hemoglobin. The hemoglobin concentration of the whole blood is calculated by multiplying the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of the packed red blood cells by the packed cell volume % (hematocrit) of the whole blood. All of the necessary calculations may be performed by a preprogrammed microprocessor.

Abstract: A whole blood sample is placed in a tube such as a capillary tube, with a plastic float. The float is axially elongated and has a specific gravity which causes it to float in the packed red blood cells when the sample is centrifuged in the tube. The hemoglobin concentration of the packed red blood cells is measured by measuring the depth that the float sinks into the red cell layer, and then the hemoglobin concentration of the blood is calculated. The hemoglobin can be measured in this manner because virtually the only red cell component which contributes density to the red cells is the hemoglobin. The hemoglobin concentration of the whole blood is calculated by multiplying the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of the packed red blood cells by the packed cell volume % (hematocrit) of the whole blood. All of the necessary calculations may be performed by a preprogramed microprocessor.

Abstract: Crude oils and other oleaginous substances which have washed onto and socket thoroughly into coarse bottom sediments such as sand beaches and sediments forming the bottom of certain holding ponds may be released for recovery by mechanical or hydraulic plowing of the relatively loose sediments followed by hydraulic agitation of the sediments to permit the substances to float to the surface of the body of water. Shallow water beach areas may be plowed by a conventional crawler tractor having an array of ripper teeth fitted with hydraulic jet nozzles for severaly agitating the sands which are plowed by the ripper teeth. A submersible pump or pump intake is preferably supported spaced from the normal path of the tractor and in the body of water to collect relatively clean water for discharge through the nozzles.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O.D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume.

Abstract: The device is used in the same way as toilet tissue to obtain a stool sample for occult blood testing on a receptor sheet included in the device. The receptor sheet is preimpregnated with guaiac or other suitable reagent. A performance/control monitor is included in the device and is kept separated and spaced apart from the receptor sheet until after the stool sample is obtained. Once the stool sample is obtained, the performance/control monitor is brought into and retained in face-to-face contact with the receptor sheet. Upon return to the physician, the developer reagent is applied to the receptor sheet in the area of the stool and in the area of the monitor. Maintaining the monitor out of contact with the receptor sheet until the stool sample is taken prevents the occurrence of a false positive monitor reaction, which can happen when there is extended contact between the monitor and the reagent impregnated receptor sheet.

Abstract: The device consists of a base sheet of impermeable plastic such as vinyl, or the like, and a guaiac stool receptor sheet adhesively secured thereto. The base sheet is sufficiently larger than the receptor sheet so to form an impermeable skirt which surrounds the receptor sheet so as to form an hermetic barrier protecting the receptor sheet on the underneath one of two of the devices when stacked one on top of the other. A performance/control monitor is included on the device. The monitor includes a peroxidatively active material such as hematin, or the like, which confirms the reactively of the guaiac-impregnated sheet, as well as the activity of the peroxide developing solution. The monitor material is kept out of reactive contact with the guaiac receptor sheet until the developer reagent is applied to the device. A stack of the devices is packed in a sealed container of plastic, or the like, so that the individual devices can be removed from the container one at a time.

Abstract: Blood samples of animals are taken and analyzed for several different cell parameters. The analysis is made by centrifuging an anticoagulated blood sample in a capillary tube containing a float which physically elongates certain of the component cell layers in the sample. The instrument in which the parameter measurements are made is computerized and can be preset to take measurements of the blood of any one of several different types of animals whose respective blood cells have different packing coefficients.

Abstract: A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O.D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume.

Abstract: Crude oils and other oleaginous substances which have washed onto and soaked thoroughly into coarse bottom sediments such as sand beaches and sediments forming the bottom of certain holding ponds may be released for recovery by mechanical or hydraulic plowing of the relatively loose sediments followed by hydraulic agitation of the sediments to permit the substances to float to the surface of the body of water. Shallow water beach areas may be plowed by a conventional crawler tractor having an array of ripper teeth fitted with hydraulic jet nozzles for severely agitating the sands which are plowed by the ripper teeth. A submersible pump or pump intake is preferably supported spaced from the normal path of the tractor and in the body of water to collect relatively clean water for discharge through the nozzles.

Abstract: The stick swab has one or more compliant heads adapted for cleaning body orifices such as ear canals. The head or heads are formed with a contoured outer surface to aid in gripping and removing material or debris from the body orifices. The contours preferably take the form of a helical augur whereby material will be withdrawn from the orifice merely by appropriately rotating the swab about its axis.

Abstract: A device which is circumferentially affixed to a flaccid penis about the proximal portion of the shaft thereof prior to retiring at night. The device is in the form of a band of material which includes an expandable portion which will not retract once expanded. In the event of a nocturnal erection, the device will expand in response to circumferential enlargement of the penis which occurs during the erection. The expanded device is retrieved upon arising in the morning and is dispatched to one's physician for analysis.

Abstract: In order to produce a more well defined interface between adjacent cell layers in a centrifuged sample of anticoagulated whole blood, a material which will bond one group of cells together is added to the blood sample prior to centrifugation. The bonding material must produce a high strength bond between one group of cells, but not effect the other cell types. The material is added prior to centrifugation of the blood sample. An example of a bonding agent is a monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: An oxygen content sampling system is disclosed. The system includes an oxygen probe and monitor. The oxygen probe and interconnecting cable pass through a housing adapted to receive and protect the probe during periods of non-use.

Abstract: In order to provide for a sharply defined line of demarcation between red cells and granulocytes in a centrifuged blood sample, the blood sample is drawn into a capillary tube. The bottom of the capillary tube is capped and the blood sample is centrifuged for a time sufficient to layer the blood sample in its constituent blood cell types. The capillary tube is then removed from the centrifuge and the top of the capillary tube is capped. The tube is then placed in the centrifuge inverted from its original orientation whereupon the sample is centrifuged again. Abnormally light red cells are thus trapped towards the bottom of the red cell column whereupon they cannot float up into the granulocyte band.

Abstract: A complex liquid, such as a biological liquid, is stratified, as by centrifugation in a tube, into constituent layers. The most dense or heaviest constituent layer is measured volumetrically by physically expanding the entire layer with a cylindrical float which is inserted in the tube and which occupies the portion of the tube also occupied by the constituent layer being measured. The axial extent of the expanded layer is measured to provide an indication of the volume of the layer being measured. The end of the tube proximate to the layer being measured contains a plug of a more dense material which is immiscible with the subject liquid and into which the float will settle during centrifugation. The float thus settles into the plug of dense material and "floats" therein so as to extend through the entirety of the layer being measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for collection of a stool sample to be used in the clinical evaluation of a patient for gastro-intenstinal bleeding. This device comprises a multilayered composite, which can be used in a manner analogous to toilet tissue, to obtain a stool sample which can thereafter be evaluated for occult blood.