Abstract: Methods and apparatus for steam sterilization in which goods are conditioned by removing air and heating to a desired temperature in a sealable chamber. Pressure change in the chamber is monitored and employed to control conditioning. The goods are subjected to a plurality of controlled cyclic pressure pulses below a predetermined supra-atmospheric pressure level by alternate evacuation and vapor pressurization of the chamber. The cyclic pressure pulsing is made responsive to load characteristics which are determined by monitoring pressure change in the chamber. In a specific embodiment, air is flushed from the chamber initially by the injection of steam simultaneously with evacuation; the evacuation phase of each pulse continues until both a predetermined time has lapsed and a predetermined vacuum level has been attained; and, the steam pressurization phase of each pulse is continued until a fixed pressure related to sterilization temperature is reached.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus particularly adapted for mixing blood cell suspensions and which includes a support platform having discrete troughs adapted to receive a plurality of specimen container tubes and effect rocking of the tubes to uniformly mix blood cell suspensions without distorting, breaking or foaming the suspensions. The platform may be randomly loaded with specimen tubes and is adapted to effect rocking of the platform in response to the presence of a tube within a trough, and provides first signals indicating the presence of tubes within the individual troughs and second signals indicating lapse of a predetermined mixing time for each specimen tube.

Abstract: Automatic sterilizer apparatus having an enclosed sterilizing chamber and a heater for vaporizing water placed in the chamber. An air exhaust valve is connected at the chamber and comprises a valve housing, a heat-expanding valve body of smaller cross-section than the housing, and a valve seat the position of which can be adjusted, these parts constituting an air/steam shut-off valve.

Abstract: Contact lens sterilizer has a timer operating a catch for holding a capsule containing contact lenses in sterilizing solution in a sterilizing position. In this position, the capsule is inclined toward inversion. When the timer releases the catch after a predetermined period of time, the capsule swings to a substantially inverted position. In this position, a catalyst contained in one end of the capsule contacts the sterilizing solution to neutralize the same. Optionally, a lock mechanism prevents removal of the capsule from the sterilizer until neutralization is complete.

Abstract: A cold sterilizer comprises a tray for containing a sterilant and instruments to be sterilized, a lid fitting over the tray, a timer for measuring the period for which the instruments are to be contained in the sterilant to effect sterilization and means for resetting the timer to its original setting for a sterilization upon lifting the lid from the tray during the sterilization. The sterilizer may further comprise means for locking the lid onto the tray and means operatively connecting the timer to the locking means so that the locking means is locked while the timer is timing a sterilization and the locking means unlocks when the period for which the timer is set has expired. There may also be provided means for manually overriding the timer and unlocking the locking means during a sterilization and for thereupon resetting the timer to its original setting for the sterilization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a gaseous test sample from a liquid sample and for transferring this test sample into a measuring cuvette of an atomic absorption spectrometer, in which an inert gas flow is directed through a sample vessel and into a measuring cuvette and, after the air has been displaced from the sample vessel, a reagent is added for generating a gaseous test sample, the test sample being carried into the measuring cuvette by the inert gas flow, wherein prior to the adding of the reagent, the flow rate of the inert gas flow is changed-over from a higher value to a lower value.