Abstract: A stir system for stirring a liquid in a vial includes a top for at least partially closing the vial and a stirrer rotatable mounted in the top. The stirrer extends from the top into the vial and the stirrer is being connected with a magnet, which is rotatable during use by a rotating magnet field so as to rotate the stirrer in the vial. The system further includes a holder for holding the vial and a cover for covering the vial in the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample analysis apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a radiation system to irradiate the sample in a vial and an analyser with a camera to analyse the radiation received from the sample in the vial. The apparatus is provided with a holder to releasable hold the vial and with an optical path for the radiation system to irradiate the sample and for the camera to make images of the sample. The radiation system can be used for front lighting of the sample in the vial or for back lighting of the sample in the vial. The camera may be provided with a telecentric lens.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a filtration unit (1) and a gel growth medium cassette (80), the unit (1) and the cassette (80) being adapted to cooperate in order to occupy a nested position in which a membrane (3) covers the said gel growth medium (88), the said unit (1) and the said cassette (80) each being equipped with an intermediate stop (26, 100), it being possible for at least one of the two stops (100) to move clear so as to allow the said unit (1) to move from an intermediate position, in which the said membrane is spaced away from the said gel growth medium, into the said nested position.

Abstract: The device for microbiological testing of a sample of liquid includes an envelope and a filter membrane, the envelope including a removable body and a support for the membrane in the wetted state; the support including a sponge and the removable body including a flexible wall adapted to move toward the membrane, when the device is subjected to a reduced pressure and to return to its initial position when the reduced pressure ceases. The assembly includes a device of the above kind and a clamp adapted to grip the device in the manner of a vise. The method includes the step of obtaining such a device, of passing the sample between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture of the device, of subjecting the device to a reduced pressure, of making the reduced pressure cease, and then of detecting the presence of microorganisms on the membrane of the device.

Abstract: The device includes means for holding a support (19) adapted to retain microorganisms in a predetermined position in which a first face (10) of said support (19) is in a first predetermined location and a second face (11) of said support (19) is in a second predetermined location, a station (2) for spraying onto said support (19) a reagent for revealing the presence of ATP by luminescence, said station (2) facing said first location, and a station (4) for measuring said luminescence opposite the spraying station and facing said second location. The method includes the step of procuring a device of the above kind, the step of disposing said support (19) at said predetermined location, the step of spraying said reagent onto said support (19) and, simultaneously with the spraying step, the step of measuring the quantity of light emitted in response to said reagent.

Abstract: The device for the transfer of a medium comprises a magazine (2) and at least one transfer element (3) for transfer of said medium, said transfer element (3) comprising a duct (45) for transfer of said medium provided at one end with a needle (31), a septum (32), and a maneuvering unit (33) of said needle (31), said transfer element (3) also comprising means for locking (61, 65) adapted to cooperate with complementary locking means (15) of said magazine (2) to lock said needle (31) in a waiting position, said locking means (61, 62, 65) belonging to said maneuvering unit (33) and cooperating with said complementary locking means (15) at a location of said magazine (2) distinct from the location through which said duct (45) issues from the cavity (20), at the opposite end from the needle (31).

Abstract: The male connection device comprises a sleeve (4) and a slide (5) that is adapted to occupy, relative to said sleeve (4), a position in which said slide (5) is advanced in said sleeve (4), said device also comprising a tubular film (6) folded back on itself and pressed between the slide (5) and the sleeve (4). The female connection device comprises a sleeve (40) and a slide (41) that is adapted to occupy, relative to said sleeve (40), a position in which said slide (41) is set back in said sleeve (40), said device also comprising a tubular film (42) folded back on itself and pressed between the slide (41) and the sleeve (40). The male-female connection system comprises such a male connection device (2) and such a female connection device (3) which are provided to be engaged within each other.

Abstract: The microbiological analysis system comprises a support (6) adapted to retain microorganisms in the neighborhood of a planar surface (24), said support (6) belonging to a predetermined type with which is associated a specific arrangement criterion, and an analysis machine comprising a magnetron, a microwave cavity (100) linked to said magnetron provided to operate in resonant mode, a receptacle (30) for receiving said support (6), an obstacle (137) for tuning the resonant mode of the cavity (100) entering partially into said cavity (100), said obstacle (137) occupying a predetermined position depending on said predetermined type, means for recognizing said specific arrangement criterion, and a control unit connected to said magnetron and to said recognizing means and adapted to verify for said support (6) whether the specific arrangement criterion is met and to refuse to launch an analysis cycle otherwise.

Abstract: The peristaltic pump (1) comprises a rotor with rollers, a mobile jaw having an open position and a closed position, and further comprises, on each side of the rotor, a locating member for said tube adapted to receive it when it is pressed in and to allow it to slide in the longitudinal direction in which the locating member extends, said locating members being disposed in a line between the rotor and the mobile jaw in the open position.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a filtration unit (1) and a gel growth medium cassette (80), the unit (1) and the cassette (80) being adapted to cooperate in order to occupy a nested position in which a membrane (3) covers the said gel growth medium (88), the said unit (1) and the said cassette (80) each being equipped with an intermediate stop (26, 100), it being possible for at least one of the two stops (100) to move clear so as to allow the said unit (1) to move from an intermediate position, in which the said membrane is spaced away from the said gel growth medium, into the said nested position.

Abstract: The device for microbiological testing of a sample of liquid includes an envelope (11) and a filter membrane (3), said envelope (11) including a removable body (6) and means (4, 5) for supporting said membrane (3) in the wetted state; said supporting means (4, 5) including a sponge (5) and said removable body including a flexible wall (6) adapted to move toward said membrane (3), when said device is subjected to a reduced pressure and to return to its initial position when said reduced pressure ceases. The assembly includes a device of the above kind and a clamp adapted to grip the device in the manner of a vise. The method includes the step of obtaining such a device, of passing said sample between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture of said device, of subjecting said device to a reduced pressure, of making said reduced pressure cease, and then of detecting the presence of microorganisms on the membrane of said device.

Abstract: A receiver is disclosed for use in listening devices, such as hearing aids. The receiver comprises an electromagnetic drive assembly that includes a bobbin having a coil of conductive wire formed thereon. The bobbin is capable of compensating for the deflections on the armature that may be caused by shock. The bobbin is also capable of centering an armature leg within the coil.

Abstract: The device includes a first body including an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice (21), a filter membrane (3), a support member (4) for the membrane (3) that is removable from said first body (2) and a second body (6) removably fixed to said first body (2); the outlet orifice (21) is formed at the periphery of said first body (2) and a second body (6) is primarily formed of a detachable wall, mounted by adhesion to said first body (2). The test assembly includes a device of the above kind and a clamp adapted to grip said device n the manner of a vice. The incubation assembly includes a device of the above kind and a gel growth medium cassette. The method includes steps of mounting a device of the above kind in a clamp, filtering a volume of liquid in the device, nesting said device to a gel growth medium cassette and waiting for incubation to take place.

Abstract: The device includes means for holding a support (19) adapted to retain microorganisms in a predetermined position in which a first face (10) of said support (19) is in a first predetermined location and a second face (11) of said support (19) is in a second predetermined location, a station (2) for spraying onto said support (19) a reagent for revealing the presence of ATP by luminescence, said station (2) facing said first location, and a station (4) for measuring said luminescence opposite the spraying station and facing said second location. The method includes the step of procuring a device of the above kind, the step of disposing said support (19) at said predetermined location, the step of spraying said reagent onto said support (19) and, simultaneously with the spraying step, the step of measuring the quantity of light emitted in response to said reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drainage device for a filter unit for microbiological testing of liquids, said drainage device including a mechanical support (10), which is adapted to receive a filter unit (16), and an suction pump (22) connected to said mechanical support to aspirate a liquid substance contained in said filter unit. The device comprises: a weight sensor (18) on which said mechanical support is mounted; a user interface (26) for entering data relating to drainage and/or said liquid substance; and a control unit (24) connected to said suction pump (22), the weight sensor (18) and said user interface (26), said control unit (24) being adapted to determine, from said data, at least a first weight corresponding to a first representative signal; and, when said weight sensor (18) supplies a signal corresponding to said first signal, said control unit (24) starts operation of said suction pump (22) so as to aspirate said liquid substance contained in said filter unit (16).

Abstract: A take-off needle comprises a hollow lance having a distal end adapted to perform a insertion operation, said hollow lance being connected to at least one pipe provided with a spigot for it to be connected to a tube, and comprising a body for holding the hollow lance and pipe relative to each other such that the spigot projects from the holding body, said needle further comprising two flanges held on respective sides of and spaced from the holding body by virtue of a spacer disposed between each flange and the holding body, said flanges extending in a longitudinal direction from the spigot to the vicinity of the proximal end of the hollow lance, the width of each flange being greater than the width of the portion of the holding body facing the flanges.

Abstract: The peristaltic pump (1) comprises: a sensor (53, 57) of the force exerted between the bearing member (19) and the counter-member (24) between which a tube (6) is held; and a processing unit comprising means for determining, from the signal supplied by the sensor (53, 57), if predetermined conditions indicative of correct positioning of the tube (6) between the bearing member (19) and the counter-member (24) have been satisfied.

Abstract: The peristaltic pump (1) comprises a rotor with rollers, a mobile jaw having an open position and a closed position, and further comprises, on each side of the rotor, a locating member for said tube adapted to receive it when it is pressed in and to allow it to slide in the longitudinal direction in which the locating member extends, said locating members being disposed in a line between the rotor and the mobile jaw in the open position.

Abstract: The combination of a supported UF membrane having low non-specific binding (NSB) and high protein retention of the tested chemical entity (CE) in a device that is SBS complaint. The membrane is heat sealed to form one or more integral wells that are used to reduce NSB and improve protein retention and provides a simple, flexible way to reduce CE, such as drug and drug candidate (and other small molecule) NSB so that drug binding studies may more closely predict the behavior of these compounds in vivo.

Abstract: Underdrain design for a multiwell device that when fixed to the device (either as an integral or removable component thereof), allows for adequate venting during filtration, minimizes or prevents air lock, and has improved structural integrity. Also disclosed is a laboratory device designed particularly for a multiplate format that includes a plate or tray having a plurality of wells, and an underdrain in fluid communication with each of the plurality of wells. The underdrain can be a separate, removable piece, or can be an integral unitary structure with the plate or tray forming a one-piece design. The design is preferably in compliance with SBS format.