Abstract: The stool sampling device is a pliant laminate which can be used to obtain direct anal stool smears for use in testing for occult blood in the stool. Predetermined fold lines are disposed on the laminate, and combine with linear adhesive strips so that, after the stool smear is on the device, the laminate can be folded quickly and easily into a closed pouch. The adhesive is preferably releasable so that the pouch can be reopened for stool testing purposes. The stool-receiving layer of the pliant laminate may be removed, if desired, from the remainder of the device to be used in special chromatographic testing of the stool specimen.

Abstract: The device is usable by a patient to self-obtain a relatively constant volume stool sample for use in testing for gastro-intestinal bleeding. The device is a multi-layered pad which can be dispensed by a physician or the like to the patient and which the patient can use in privacy. The device may be used in the same manner as toilet tissue to obtain the stool sample after defecation or the stool may be indirectly applied to the device. Excess stool sample is discarded in the toilet and an appropriate amount of the stool sample is retained on the pad. The pad is then sealed and returned to the physician or testing laboratory hermetically sealed. The seal is broken, the test is performed, and then the pad is resealed hermetically and discarded.

Abstract: The device is usable by a patient to self-obtain a relatively constant volume stool sample for use in testing for gastro-intestinal bleeding. The device is a multi-layered pad which can be dispensed by a physician or the like to the patient and which the patient can use in privacy. The device is used in the same manner as toilet tissue to obtain the stool sample after defecation. Excess stool sample is discarded in the toilet and an appropriate amount of the stool sample is retained on the pad. The pad is then sealed and returned to the physician or testing laboratory hermetically sealed. The seal is broken, the test is performed, and then the pad is resealed hermetically and discarded.

Abstract: The device is usable by a patient to self-obtain a stool sample for use in testing for gastro-intestinal bleeding. The device is a multi-layered pad which can be dispensed by a physician or the like to the patient and which the patient can use in privacy. The device is used in the same manner as toilet tissue to obtain the stool sample after defecation. Excess stool sample is discarded in the toilet and an appropriate amount of the stool sample is retained on the pad. The pad is then sealed and returned to the physician or testing laboratory hermetically sealed. The seal is broken, the test is performed, and then the pad is resealed hermetically and discarded.

Abstract: An instrument for viewing samples contained in capillary tubes under optical magnification. The sample-containing capillary tube is disposed in a holder within the instrument wherein the sample is illuminated for viewing. The illumination system allows for epi-illumination or trans-illumination of the sample. The sample holder is a transparent member which has a slot in which the capillary tube is held. Oil or water is disposed in the slot to lessen the lens effect of the curved wall of the transparent capillary tube.

Abstract: A multi-layered windowpane which is substantially transparent and possesses superior insulating properties. The outer and inner layers are glass and between each glass layer there is a perforated layer of substantially transparent plastic.

Abstract: A process for detecting parasites which are found in the blood of a host. A sample of blood is drawn into a capillary tube which contains a generally cylindrical mass having a specific gravity such that it will float in one of the cell layers when the sample is separated by centrifugation. The specific gravity of the mass is selected so as to cause the cylindrical mass to combine with the bore wall of the capillary tube to form a thin annular space in the capillary tube into which the parasites will be crowded, thus increasing the concentration of parasites in a restricted area of the centrifuged blood sample and rendering the parasites highly visible. A stain may be used to differentially color the parasites. One specific parasite which can be detected in this manner quickly and inexpensively is heartworm.

Abstract: A method whereby separation of red cells from white cells in a centrifuged blood sample is improved. An effective amount of potassium oxalate is added to the blood sample to increase the density of the red cells. The blood sample is then warmed to minimize the increase in density of the white cells which otherwise occurs in certain cases.

Abstract: A holder for clamping in place a catheter or other hollow tube, such as a urinary catheter tube, a nasogastric tube or intravenous tube on a patient's body, which holder includes a pliant adhesive-bearing base which is adhered to the patient's skin. The holder is adjustable so as to be capable of holding the catheter tube against rotary and longitudinal movement, and also be capable of partially or completely closing the bore of the catheter tube by deforming the tube wall.

Abstract: An improvement in the degree of separation of constituent cell layers in a centrifuged sample of human blood is achieved by decreasing the natural water content of the red blood cells to increase their density or specific gravity. Thus the red cell layer packs more tightly and separates more completely from the next lighter cell layer adjacent thereto, i.e., the granulocyte layer.

Abstract: A device for use in checking and/or calibrating the accuracy with which a blood constituent concentration measuring instrument is operating. The device includes a capillary tube size member having annular bands marked on its outer surface. The bands are of predetermined axial extent and simulate centrifuged blood cell or other constituent layers. The axial dimension of each band is measured on the instrument which provides a visual indication of corresponding blood cell count. The blood cell count indicated by the instrument is then compared to the known blood count corresponding to the predetermined axial extent of the particular band measured. This device may be used to calibrate the instrument or determine the accuracy with which the instrument is operating.

Abstract: A technique for generally determining the volume of a layer of a constituent material in a centrifugally separated mixture of material. A centrifuge tube is used to hold the material mixture and an appropriately shaped body is disposed in the tube in the zone occupied by the constituent material whose volume is to be measured. The body reduces the available volume within the tube which may be occupied by the constituent material, and thus expands the axial extent of the constituent material to make visual measurement of the constituent material more accurate.