Abstract: The invention discloses a condenser for a bioreactor exhaust, comprising: an inlet (1) adapted to be fluidically connected to a bioreactor exhaust port (2), a cooling chamber (3; 103) fluidically connected to the inlet and via a filter device (4) to an outlet (5), a cooling conduit (6; 106) in contact with the cooling chamber, a heating conduit (7) in contact with the filter device and a vortex tube (8) arranged to convey a cold gas stream through the cooling conduit and to convey a hot gas stream through the heating conduit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a condenser for a bioreactor exhaust, comprising: an inlet (1) adapted to be fluidically connected to a bioreactor exhaust port (2), a cooling chamber (3; 103) fluidically connected to the inlet and via a filter device (4) to an outlet (5), a cooling conduit (6; 106) in contact with the cooling chamber, a heating conduit (7) in contact with the filter device and a vortex tube (8) arranged to convey a cold gas stream through the cooling conduit and to convey a hot gas stream through the heating conduit.

Abstract: Pressure sensor unit for sealed attachment to a fluidic system comprising a mounting member, a membrane cavity extending through the mounting member with an opening in contact with the fluidic system when the sensor unit is attached thereto, a membrane formed at the distal end of the membrane cavity, and a membrane deflection sensor, wherein the membrane is separated from the mounting member by a stress insulating member arranged to isolate the membrane from stress and strain in the mounting member.

Abstract: A fraction collector where fractions of liquid are sequentially dispensed from a dispensing means into a plurality of receptacles arranged in a cassette in the fraction collector, by displacing the dispensing means relative to the receptacles, the receptacles being arranged at predefined positions with respect to the cassette and the cassette being arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the fraction collector, wherein the cassette is retained at the predefined position with respect to the fraction collector by a magnetic arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for use in chromatography columns and methods for forming a seal in such columns. The assembly comprises a sealing element composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and a separate resilient member co-operating therewith. The seal provided is stable over a temperature range of +2° C. to +30° C.

Abstract: Liquid receptacle with an opening for receiving liquid dispensed at a distance there above, wherein the receptacle comprises a liquid receiving member arranged in the vicinity of the opening and at an angle with respect to the motion of dispensed liquid to receive and direct dispensed liquid into the receptacle.

Abstract: Pressure sensor unit for sealed attachment to a fluidic system comprising a mounting member, a membrane cavity extending through the mounting member with an opening in contact with the fluidic system when the sensor unit is attached thereto, a membrane formed at the distal end of the membrane cavity, and a membrane deflection sensor, wherein the membrane is separated from the mounting member by a stress insulating member arranged to isolate the membrane from stress and strain in the mounting member.

Abstract: A fraction collector where fractions of liquid are sequentially dispensed from a dispensing means into a plurality of receptacles arranged in a cassette in the fraction collector, by displacing the dispensing means relative to the receptacles, the receptacles being arranged at predefined positions with respect to the cassette and the cassette being arranged at a predetermined position with respect to the fraction collector, wherein the cassette is retained at the predefined position with respect to the fraction collector by a magnetic arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing air from the bed space of a chromatography column. The method involves use a chromatography column having an inner wall which comprises at least one elongated groove through which air can pass from the bed space to a chamber above an adapter assembly.

Abstract: An airbag for a vehicle occupant protective system comprises an inflatable cushion, a cinch tube circumventing a vent aperture disposed in the cushion, and a draw element guided in a circumventing channel of said cinch tube and being coupled to a surface of said cushion such that deployment of said cushion causes said draw element to contract said cinch tube. The airbag comprises a contraction limiting arrangement adapted to limit the contraction of said cinch tube by said draw element to a predetermined minimum free diameter d of at least 20% relative to the free diameter D of the open cinch tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for use in chromatography columns and methods for forming a seal in such columns. The assembly comprises a sealing element composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and a separate resilient member co-operating therewith. The seal provided is stable over a temperature range of +2° C. to +30° C.

Abstract: A safety airbag arrangement for a vehicle comprises a main airbag having an inlet for connection with an inflator and a gas deflector bag secured within the main airbag, having an inlet in register with the inlet of the main airbag, for connection with the inflator, the gas deflector bag having ventilator holes and the arrangement being such that gas supplied to the airbag arrangement via the inlets by the inflator must first pass into the gas deflector bag, to pass subsequently from the gas deflector bag through the ventilation holes. The wall of the gas deflector bag is secured to the main wall of the main airbag by a plurality of arcuate seams spaced progressively from inlets, to maintain the gas deflector bag in a predetermined position relative to the main airbag when the airbag arrangement is activated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing air from the bed space of a chromatography column. The method involves use a chromatography column having an inner wall which comprises at least one elongated groove through which air can pass from the bed space to a chamber above an adapter assembly.

Abstract: A detector arrangement, which comprises a rotatable microfluidic disc and a spectrophotometric detector unit. The arrangement is characterized in that the detector unit is based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and is capable of measuring an analyte within the detection microcavities, each of which is part of a microchannel structure. A microfluidic disc having an axis of symmetry and comprising microchannel structures, each of which has an upstream functional part that is at a shorter radial position than a downstream functional part. The disc is characterized in that there are detection microcavities (DMCs) in at least a part of said microchannel structures, and that each of said DMCs has an SPR surface on an inner wall and a detection detection window extending from the SPR surface to the surface of the disc.

Abstract: A detector arrangement, which comprises a rotatable microfluidic disc and a spectrophotometric detector unit. The arrangement is characterized in that the detector unit is based on surface plasmon resonanc (SPR) and is capable of measuring an analyte within the detection microcavities, each of which is part of a microchannel structure. A microfluidic disc having an axis of symmetry and comprising microchannel structures, each of which has an upstream functional part that is at a shorter radial position than a downstream functional part. The disc is characterized in that there are detection microcavities (DMCs) in at least a part of said microchannel structures, and that each of said DMCs has an SPR surface on an inner wall and a detection detection window extending from the SPR surface to the surface of the disc.

Abstract: A profiled element (1) includes a tubular blank (2) which is formed into the desired shape by hydroforming. In conjunction with hydroforming, at least one slot essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank is made in wall portions (4, 6) on the blank, and a reinforcing element (3) is fixed in each slot. In a suitable embodiment, each reinforcing element is fixed in two opposite slots and extends through a cavity in the blank. The invention relates to on the one hand a profiled element and on the other hand a method of producing the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector arrangement in an instrument for analysis of discrete liquid sample volumes in the microliter and/or nanoliter range contained in microchannel structures that are present in a disc shaped microfluidic device. The suggested detector arrangement comprises a detector head, supported to be driven and controlled for linear displacement and positioning in a first radial plane through a central axis of an associated rotary drive. A rotary member is carried for rotation about said central axis in a second radial plane in parallelism with said first radial plane. A vacuum source is connected with the rotary member and in air flow communication with a planar top surface of the rotary member for a wide area distribution of sub-pressure over said top surface, the rotary member carrying the disc shaped substrate in adhering contact with the top surface for spinning the substrate in equidistant and equiangular relation to the detector head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drive adapted for creating liquid flow in rotatable microfluidic discs. A rotary drive for spinning a disc shaped substrate having microfluidic structures formed therein for the flow control of microliter and/or nanoliter volumes of liquid by centrifugal force is suggested, comprising a motor with a spindle having an axis of rotation. A rotary member is connected for rotation with the spindle and driven for rotation relative to a stationary member, the rotary member being formed with a top plane having a centering guide for receiving the disc so as to force a symmetry axis of the disc into alignment with said axis of rotation. A vacuum source is connected with the stationary member and communicating with the rotary member or a part thereof rotating with the rotary member for applying sub-pressure to the disc when spinning the disc about its symmetry axis. Preferably, the rotary member is journalled for contact-free rotation relative to the stationary member.

Abstract: This present invention provides an air bag assembly for use in a vehicle having a front structural member which preferably comprises an A-pillar of the vehicle. The air bag assembly comprises an inflator for generating gas and an air bag cushion deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag cushion is preferably stored along a length of the front structural member while the inflator is preferably located at a position remote from the front structural member. The air bag assembly further includes a gas conduit which provides a gas path for transferring the gas from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The gas conduit comprises an expandable member extending along at least a length of the front structural member which permits the gas conduit to be packaged within the A-pillar structure underneath interior trim molding used to cover the A-pillar.