Abstract: An apparatus for incubating and/or incubating shaking biological test specimens having a detachable autoclavable chamber. The main incubating chamber is provided with a support plate and diffuser plate for directing a controlled flow of heated air to the biological test specimen. A transverse blower is provided to assist in providing uniform air flow within the main incubating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for housing radiation-emitting items to be incubated, such as radio-labeled cell cultures, in order to prevent contamination of the interior of an incubator and the surrounding environment. The apparatus is nonporous and preferably relatively thermally resistant. Additionally, the apparatus features a selectively sealable lid and has at least one opening within which is disposed a filter for entrapping any radioactive compounds contained in gases exiting the apparatus during incubation. The apparatus is used in conjunction with known incubation procedures of radiolabelled cell cultures or other items.

Abstract: A cell culturing apparatus and a cell culturing method are disclosed. A rack supporting apparatus includes a loop tracking and a plurality of culturing racks connected one after another in series. Each of the culturing racks accommodates culturing containers therein for cell culturing during their travel on the loop tracking. Each of the racks is accessible, through conveyors, to a container handling station where culture medium is filled in the culturing containers and cell inoculation is carried out. The culturing containers processed in the container handling station are automatically accommodated into the rack by an infeed station for starting cell culturing, and the culturing containers in which cell culturing have been performed in the rack are automatically discharged therefrom by a discharge station.

Abstract: An in vitro screening test for identifying mutagenic and genotoxic agents during spermatogenesis, comprising: (1) Culturing Xenopus testis explants in vitro in the presence of one or more suspected mutagenic and/or genotoxic agent(s); (2) Removing said one or more suspected agent(s) and continue culturing said Xenopus testis explants such that spermatogonia in said Xenopus testis explants undergo spermatogenesis; (3) Isolating sperm and/or one or more types of spermatogenic cells at various times during step (2); and (4) Determining the mutagenic and/or genotoxic affect of said agent(s). A novel medium suitable for culturing Xenopus testis explants. A novel method for culturing Xenopus testis explants in vitro such that cells at all stages of the spermatogenic cycle are produced comprising culturing Xenopus tests fragments in the novel medium under an atmosphere of air and at a temperature in a range of from about 20.degree. C. to about 24.degree. C.

Abstract: An immunoassay incubation device is employed for detecting the presence of specific analytes in solid and semisolid compositions using solid phase immunoassay methods. Analysis of such compositions by solid phase immunoassay first requires that soluble or particulate analytes be extracted from the sample composition. A representative example of such composition is fecal material. The immunoassay incubation device includes a vessel for homogenizing the sample composition. The device also includes a solid phase assay member immunologically sensitized for detecting particular analytes. After the sample composition is homogenized, the assay member is incubated in an incubation chamber which is immersed into the homogenate within the homogenization vessel. The incubation chamber includes a screen which screens out unextracted components from the homogenate while passing extracted components.

Abstract: A chemiluminescence process comprising the contacting of a chemiluminescence precursor, an oxidant, an enzyme and a nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia and a water-soluble organic amine. The reaction of such process can be used in detection of nucleic acid hybrids, antibodies, antigens and peroxidase enzymes and in producing light.

Abstract: An incubation apparatus containing a rack or block with openings capable of receiving containers containing reagents. The rack or block is attached to a heating element for heating containers in the block. The block is driven by a motor actuated by a timer such that at the end of a predetermined time period the block is pivoted whereby containers will fall out of the block and onto a sloping surface on the housing of the incubator. This apparatus provides for the carrying out of reactions for a predetermined amount of time without the necessity of close monitoring of the incubation by laboratory personnel.

Abstract: A sheltered-type protection means for process instrumentation/automation, particularly quality measuring equipment for industrial processes with a hazardous environment and materials is described, which has a self-supporting housing with an extractable support member, on which is arranged at least one analyzer, a sample preparation means, an auxiliary material system and a unidirectional or bidirectional communications means for electrical signals. This arrangement permits a very compact construction and ensures that after extracting the support member unimpeded access to the individual components is possible. The invention also has the advantage that as a result of the small dimensions of the housing, it can be constructed in an extremely tight manner, so that the interior thereof is scavenged e.g. with an inert gas and can be kept under overpressure without leakage losses occurring.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting micro-organisms comprises a rack having an array of stations at which a plurality of microbiological sample containers can be received. Each container is provided with an electrode or electrodes at its base for connection with electrical contacts on the base of the rack, and container retention means in the form of a cap with a bayonet joint or screw-threaded connection for releasably retaining the containers in the rack are adapted to be operable from above the upper support plate of the rack.

Abstract: Solid reagent film is formed in a micro-well for diagnosis of e.g. AIDS. The process is formed fully automatically without any manual operation. The process includes dispensing reagent solution in micro-wells of one or two rows simultaneously on sequentially feeding microplate, measuring the liquid level in the wells, incubating the wells to form solid film in the well surface, cleaning the dispense nozzles and measuring electrodes by cleaning fluid, dispensing protect cover forming liquid in the wells, measuring the liquid level in the wells, incubating the wells to form protect cover, cleaning the dispense nozzles and electrodes by cleaning fluid, and drying the wells. Also, storing and discharge the microplate relative to magazine, and transferring the microplate through the process are performed automatically.

Abstract: An incubation chamber for incubating a number of microbiological test trays such as susceptibility trays and identification trays holds a number of tray carriers in a pair of stacks. An elevator is provided to move any given carrier to a position at which it can be removed from the incubation chamber and moved to an inspection station at which the trays thereon may be inspected to determine the results of the microbiological tests. The image of the test tray at the inspection station is processed to determine test results.

Abstract: Described herein is a controlled circulation incubator device having a plurality of plate receiving trays held by a tray bracket. Heated air is circulated by a blower and heater assembly around the trays held by the tray bracket and the temperature of the flowing heated air is sensed by a thermister included in a temperature controller circuit. The termister is coupled in a circuit so that its resistance determines the amount of heating provided by the heater portion of the blower and heater assembly. Each of the trays have a front lid and a back lip and the plurality of trays are offset from one another within the confines of the incubator device. The angle of the back lip and the amount of offset are selected so that each of the back lips are positioned in a generally planar surface. This causes the front lip, which extend at a slight angle from the receiving trays, to extend into the circulating air stream and air is forced between adjacent trays to heat the contents held by the trays.

Abstract: Self-sufficient incubation assembly for the in vitro cultivation of microorganisms such as bacteria and for being energized by a self-contained energy source, including a heater for heating means, such as a culture growth dish assembly or a cuvette, for receiving a culture growth medium seeded with microorganisms, to a physiological temperature to cultivate the microorganisms, and electrical circuitry which interconnects the heater with the energy source and which includes a temperature control element in intimate physical contact with the seeded culture growth receiving means to cause the temperature of the control element to be substantially the same as the temperature of the medium; the electrical circuit in operation produces heat and due to its intimate physical contact with the means for receiving the seeded culture growth medium supplements the heating of the medium by the heater and the supplementation reduces the total energy required to be supplied by the energy source to cultivate the microorganism

Abstract: A device for determining the presence and identity of a specific microorganism in a biological sample based on biochemical tests is disclosed comprising a set of containers, each of which contains a reagent for performing an individual biochemical test useful for the identification of microorganisms, the set of containers being assembled on a single supporting member which is imprinted with a series of marks adjacent the containers, which marks are indicative of the expected result of a specific microorganism's performance in each biochemical test using the reagent of each individual container, the series of biochemical test containers, reagents and corresponding marks being sufficient to identify a specific microorganism. Series of marks corresponding to the expected biochemical test results for several specific microorganisms are preferably imprinted on the supporting member, making possible the identification of a single microorganism species from among several possibly present.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out analyses comprising at least one incubation step and at least one separation step for separating a liquid phase from a phase, which is insoluble in said liquid phase. The apparatus comprises a plurality of reaction vessels (2), making it possible to simultaneously carry out similar working sequences with reaction mixtures in the separate reaction vessels, each of which has a porous bottom (3) connected to a separate chamber (8), the reaction vessels being able to retain the reaction mixture during the incubation steps. According to the invention, there is provided a pressure regulating system, which creates a higher relative pressure in the chambers (8) than in the reaction vessels (2). This pressure difference prevents leakage from the reaction vessels to the chambers.

Abstract: A diagnostic urine culture apparatus for catheterized urine collection, bacterial detection and bacterial identification, includes a culture tube, a typing medium, a tube cap means, a catheter means where the catheter means extends through an annular opening in the cap means and into the interior of the apparatus, the apparatus thus adapted to the collection and culturing of urine with minimal contamination of the sample.

Abstract: A specimen tray apparatus is disclosed primarily for use in cell culture studies. The apparatus includes a tray and a plurality of individual cells in the form of specimen vessels which can be removably located in the tray. A lid is also provided for the tray and is physically identical therewith. Each vessel has a cover which is received in an opening in the lid when the tray and lid are assembled, so that pressure sensitive tape can then be used to releasably secure the covers to the lid while allowing one or more of the covers to be released when appropriate by peeling back the tape.

Abstract: A system for the production and maintenance of genomic libraries of recombinant DNA in a fixed geometric array arranged so that such libraries may be accurately replicated and maintained with the same set of individual DNA inserts occupying reproducible locations and comprising,(a) sets of individual bacterial colonies or plaques of bacteriophage which contain inserts of animal or plant DNA and are present in so large a number that there will be a high probability that the complete library will contain each DNA sequence of all of the sequences present in an animal or plant genome; to be established in subarrays which can individually be replicated,(b) a subsystem for picking up inocula from each of a geometric array simultaneously and transferring them to a second similar geometric array, including carrying and aligning means for maintaining a transfer means in superposed relationship with respect and for raising and lowering the transfer means into and out of proximity to said colonies or plaques, and(c) a s

Abstract: An incubator is provided with an inlet, a measurement station and an outlet for chemical analysis slides, and a number of levers or pushing devices for stepwisely circulating the slides through the apparatus. The device is useful for uniformly incubating a plurality of chemical analysis slides or the like according to a continuous, rather than batch, process.

Abstract: A method for testing microbial interaction with growth affecting substances. A pattern of a microbe containing solution is applied on an interaction plate in a programmed concentration. A solution of a growth interacting substance is applied on the interaction plate in a programmed potency in a pattern which contacts the microbe containing solution to cause contact of the microbes with the growth interacting substance. The resultant plate is incubated for a time sufficient to produce visible microbial colonies on the interaction plate. The potency of a growth interacting substance is determined at any point of interest on the incubated interaction plate by correlating the position of the point of interest with the programmed volume of the growth interacting substance deposited at that point.

Abstract: A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprises a support member having a raised center portion. The support member includes a plurality of holes therein distributed throughout. These holes, for receiving tubes therein, are arranged in staggered fashion along the transverse axis of the support member.

Abstract: An incubating device particularly adapted for aligning an array of microscope slides bearing a tissue section, sample or specimen, and incubating the same with a series of test or reagent solutions at a higher-than-ambient temperature, is disclosed. The incubating device has a main body including a recess which substantially forms a tray in the main body. A plurality of substantially regularly spaced metal blocks are disposed in the recess, and a substantially flat upper surface of each metal block is adapted to receive and be in contact with a respective microscope slide.A heater is mounted underneath the main body to heat the main body, and to affect by direct conductance of heat, the heating of the metal blocks. A thermostat is mounted to the main body to monitor the temperature of the main body and to regulate the output of the heater in response thereto whereby the temperature of the metal blocks is maintained in a desired predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic container for holding organic matter during decomposition of the organic matter. The container includes a lower section. The lower section includes a plurality of flat sides positioned in a substantially vertical attitude. The flat sides are joined at opposite edges to form a closed figure having an open bottom. An upper section is mounted on the lower section. The upper section includes a number of flat sides equal in number to the flat sides in the lower section. The flat sides of the upper section are positioned in a substantially vertical attitude and joined at opposite ends to form a closed figure. Each of the flat sides of the upper section is connected to a respective flat side of a lower section. Each of the flat sides of the upper and lower sections has a rectangular outline. Each flat side has a bead along a vertical edge and an elongated socket formed integral with the opposite vertical edge.

Abstract: To establish predetermined humidity levels within a sterile treatment chamber, and maintain sterility, water, preferably deionized, is conducted to an evaporator outside of a container defining the treatment chamber, to be there heated to superheated steam, for example in the order of 300.degree. C., and conducted to a bypass duct (1) in atmospheric communication with the treatment chamber (10), for mixing with the atmosphere within the treatment chamber. Preferably, the treatment chamber is surrounded by heat exchanger elements, such as electrical heating wires and/or cooling coils, the heaters being controlled to rapidly heat the treatment chamber to a temperature in the order of 180.degree. C. during pauses of treatment for sterilizing the interior of the container, and/or maintaining temperature levels at a desired treatment level in operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting material from micro-culture plates comprises either a harvester plate or, in combination a harvester plate and a micro-culture plate, the harvester plate having a plurality of wells recessed into one surface thereof, these wells conforming in size, number and arrangement to the wells of the micro-culture plate, and the wells of the harvester plate being adapted to hold filter elements for absorbing liquid from corresponding wells of the culture plate when the wells of the culture plate, with the culture plate in an upside-down orientation, are contacted with corresponding wells of the harvester plate, and in which the harvester plate wells have fluid outlets at their bases. Also a new micro-culture plate comprises a plurality of wells recessed into a surface thereof each well comprising a fluid inlet passageway through the base thereof.

Abstract: A miniature, biological incubator for continuous light microscopic observation of cells in cell cultures under environmentally controlled conditions for use in conjunction with petri dishes or similar types of culture dishes, in which different covers are provided to accommodate different types of microscopes and magnification, the incubator being small enough to fit on a microscope stage and to have a sufficiently small internal volume to facilitate maintenance of a controlled atmosphere having stable temperature, humidity and mixture of gases therein and to permit rapid restoration of controlled environment lost during replacement of dishes or during changing of covers to suit particular microscopic observation.

Abstract: A blood sample incubation device to maintain a blood sample or the like at a fixed temperature receives a test tube bearing the sample in a flexible, elastic, eversible finger-like sleeve which surrounds the test tube and grips the exterior surface of the test tube completely about its outer surface. The sleeve is mounted within a well formed in a heater block and the well contains a heat conductive fluid. In operation, the tube or cuvet filled with the sample is inserted into the sleeve which is surrounded by the fluid within the well so that heat may pass from the block through the fluid to the test tube and blood sample. When the test tube is removed, it draws the sleeve with it to cause the sleeve to evert and protrude upwardly from the heater block to a position in which the sleeve is ready to receive the next test tube.

Abstract: An automated micro-organism culture growth and detection apparatus includes a plurality of carousel trays arranged in pairs, providing receptacles for a plurality of culture bottles. The bottles each include a pair of electrodes submerged in the culture liquid and extend through an end wall of the bottle to form contact points. The receptacles include a pair of spring finger electrical contacts for each bottle to connect the electrodes to a measuring circuit. The complementary sets of the pairs of carousel trays are driven in counter-rotational directions to provide agitation for the culture during incubation and to index the individual to an access door in the incubation chamber surrounding the assembled carousel trays. A continuous flow of air at a controlled temperature is caused to flow through the incubation chamber which, together with the agitation, promotes the rapid growth of micro-organism in the culture bottles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing chemical analysis on selected fluids. The apparatus comprises a turntable which carries a plurality of cartridges containing test slides. A transfer mechanism is adapted to receive a slide from a selected cartridge, transport the slide to a metering device where a precise amount of fluid is deposited thereon, and then deliver the slide to a conveyor which moves the slide through an incubator. A radiometric reading of the slide is taken while it is in the incubator.

Abstract: An incubator is provided for use with a chemical analyzer of the type in which a fluid sample is metered onto a test slide which is analyzed after a suitable period of incubation. The incubator includes a temperature-controlled chamber having a conveyor mounted therein which comprises a plurality of slide holding members. A drive means for the conveyor is adapted to successively advance the slide holding members past load and unload slots located adjacent slide transfer mechanisms.

Abstract: An adaptor collar which can be joined to a standard laboratory jar for the purpose of maintaining a constant anaerobic atmosphere inside of the jar is disclosed. The combined adaptor collar and jar form a transport unit suitable for the transport of anaerobes from remote locations to a controlled atmosphere incubation apparatus. The adaptor collar is adapted to dock with the incubation apparatus so that anaerobes can be transferred from the jar to the interior of the apparatus without exposure to the air.