Abstract: A vertically extending, cylindrical toaster having a plurality of modules which may be integrally joined together in a single housing or may be separably stacked one upon the other. Each module comprises at least one individual heating unit having a horizontally oriented aperture opening into the unit. Each heating unit is separated from its vertical neighbors by a heat insulating layer and includes a food receiving grill, an upper heating element located above the grill, a lower heating element located below the grill, and a removable tray below the lower heating element for catching crumbs or other food particles which fall from the grill. The grill may also be movable and/or removable for easy access to the food thereon or for cleaning. Master controls for all the modules and individual controls for each separate module are contemplated to provide versatile control of the cooking processes.

Abstract: A system for handling a body specimen is described for particular use in the handling of fecal specimen which are to be treated with a stain for enhancing its visibility. The system includes dual optical viewing chambers mounted alongside of each other on a frame with appropriate tubing connecting ports of the viewing chambers to a liquid specimen supply and the satin supply. The stain supply is connected to one of the tubings leading to a viewing chamber so that the drawing action from a pump connected to ports on the other side of the viewing chambers can force an automatic mixing of the staining solution with one of the liquid specimen being drawn into one of the viewing chambers. Controls and techniques for operating the system are described.

Abstract: A glass slide enclosure assembly is described with which fluid couplings can be conveniently made between the enclosure and elongate plastic tubes. Heat shrink conduits are provided and placed around end segments of the glass enclosure and ends of the plastic tubes. The heat shrink tubes are then shrunk by the application of heat. A sealant of light curable type is placed on the end segments of the glass sealant to provide a convenient light activated technique to prevent leakage of body fluid between the heat shrink conduits and the glass enclosure slide.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a specimen of a body fluid, such as urine from a sample tube. The specimen is drawn through a reusable slide assembly for examination. The slide assembly includes a glass enclosure shaped to provide a viewing chamber for use with a microscope. A sample tube with a special plug and ball valve provides a solids collection chamber with which a uniform amount of body liquid is provided for the specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a specimen of a body fluid, such as urine from a sample tube. The specimen is drawn through a slide assembly for examination. A sample tube with a special plug and ball valve is described to provide a solids collection chamber with which a uniform amount of body liquid is provided for the specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus for microscopically analyzing fluids consisting of subsystems for providing fluid flow and for acquiring and displaying an image. The fluid flow subsystem pumps a portion of the fluid sample from a sample container to a flow-through cell, where a thin planar portion of sample is presented for viewing. The flow-through cell includes a three-part lamination, the two outer members being generally flat and the center member having a display chamber cut out of its central portion. The fluid flow subsystem also includes means for washing the subsystem between samples, by pumping a quantity of solvent through the flow-through cell, the pump and associated tubing. A light beam is passed through the flow-through cell, enabling a video camera to acquire a magnified image of a portion of the sample, which image is displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: A pipette calibration kit containing a plurality of solutions, each of a predetermined concentration, which are used for plotting a calibration curve, and at least one reagent of a predetermined concentration which is used to replace an identical quantity of diluent in a predetermined volume of the diluent. The concentration of the reagent-diluent mixture is measured and the quantity of the reagent substituted for diluent in the reagent-diluent mixture, i.e., the volume of the pipette used to add the reagent to the diluent, is determined from the calibration curve.

Abstract: A device for automatically timing and recording the sedimentation rate of fluid samples contained in cylindrical, transparent test tubes includes a generally rectangular rack having flat vertical walls formed with cylindrical bores for receiving the test tubes, and vertical channels at outer sides of the walls for receiving photographic strips. A lamp inside the rack shines through test tubes to the strips to record the amount of sedimentation of the fluid. The walls of the rack may be transparent for passing light therethrough or may be provided with slits at inner sides thereof for communicating with the bores. The bores communicate with the channels via other slits formed at outer sides of the bores. A rectangular housing may be fitted over the rack to exclude ambient light.

Abstract: A pressure differential sampling and filtering device and method comprising a tube adapted to hold a liquid to be filtered and an inner tube having a filter head adapted to be inserted into the tube and force the liquid up through the filter head into the inner tube is characterized by the employment of a filter head and by the inner tube being associated with and separable from a closed-end portion which then serves as a test tube when the assembly is inverted and the filter head separated therefrom.

Abstract: An analytic test device of a one time use type formed by concentrically disposed tube and sleeve members. A test reagent is present in the annular region between tube and sleeve. A liquid sample placed inside the tube is unable to enter the reagent containing annular region until relative movement between tube and sleeve opens a passage for sample flow into the annular region and contact with the test reagent.The test device is particularly adapted to testing urine samples.