Abstract: An infant care system and apparatus includes a horizontal surface to support an infant. A microenvironment region is defined around the horizontal surface by at least one wall. A graphical display is disposed within the microenvironment region. A diagnostic imaging device is at least partially disposed within the microenvironment region to obtain diagnostic images of an infant disposed within the microenvironment region.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for killing pests in an affected area includes a heat exchanger unit and an electric heater. The heat exchanger unit is placed within the affected area and is coupled to a faucet. The heat exchanger unit is configured to receive a flow of water from the faucet and to emit heated air by transferring heat from the flow of water to air flowing through the heat exchanger unit. The electric heater further heats the air emitted by the heat exchanger unit to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: An infant warmer includes an infant enclosure defining an infant compartment, and a heating system pneumatically coupled with the infant compartment. The heating system includes a heater configured to selectively transfer heat to the infant compartment, and a thermal storage device configured to store heat from the heater and to selectively transfer said stored heat to the infant compartment. The infant warmer also includes a controller operatively connected to the heating system. The controller is configured to regulate the transfer of heat from the thermal storage device such that a target temperature is maintained within the infant compartment.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing analyte using a portable incubator apparatus. The incubator apparatus 10 has a plurality of cavities 20 each configured to receive analyte to be incubated. The method comprises: receiving analyte in each of the plurality of cavities; incubating the analyte in the plurality of cavities, the incubator apparatus being operable to control temperatures of analyte contained in the plurality of cavities independently of each other; and moving the incubator apparatus from a first location to a second location while the analyte is being incubated, the incubator apparatus being configured to maintain desired incubation conditions independently of a supply of electrical power and apparatus external to the incubator apparatus as the incubator apparatus is being moved.

Abstract: A microscope configuration according to an exemplary embodiment includes a microscope system with at least one addressable component and also a control system with a plurality of control modules for influencing a plurality of test-environment parameters in a test chamber of the microscope system. The control modules are configured to be combined in modular manner and to be coupled through an interface unit with a unified bus, through which they are controlled. A control module influencing a test-environment parameter of an incubation system has a control command interface unit configured to receive at least one control command. The control command interface unit couples with a bus. A control device is coupled with the control command interface unit and influences the test-environment parameter based upon the control command. A further interface unit is coupled to the control command interface unit and outputs, again, the received control command.

Abstract: A radiant heater is configured to be positioned above a floor at a predetermined distance and to produce a generally quadrangular zone of heat within a predetermined temperature range, preferably between approximately eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit and one-hundred degrees Fahrenheit, on the floor. The heater includes an elongated burner assembly, an inner cone member, at least one emitter assembly and end plates which define a combustion chamber. The emitter assembly is configured to direct heat produced within the combustion chamber downwardly and outwardly to the floor to form the generally quadrangular zone of heat. A canopy is provided which directs heat heading upwardly and outwardly back downwardly toward the floor and toward the emitter assembly. A reflector pan is positioned below the burner and the emitter assembly and assists in directing the heat from the emitter assembly toward the floor. A blower assembly may be incorporated into the heater.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: New bed or a new cradle model to be used specifically in hospitals, clinics and similar facilities for babies, which presents a specific laminar air flow system, with controlled temperature and moisture, for the patient desired levels, which provides reduction of the contamination on the micro environment where it is placed, allowing its use by patients under critical and delicate condition, with easy access to the patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides an incubator which can release pressure applied to a vessel side by upper heating means, and can simplify an opening/closing structure of a reaction chamber. The gist of the present invention resides in an incubator comprising a reaction chamber disposed in an incubator body; a heat conductive reaction block disposed in the reaction chamber to hold one or plural vessels containing reaction samples; a cover for covering an upper part of the reaction chamber in an openable manner; upper heating means positioned on a lower surface of the cover to heat an upper part of the vessel held by the reaction block; and pressure means for pressing the upper heating means to the vessel side; the reaction block being heated/cooled while the upper part of the vessel is heated by the upper heating means, to incubate the reaction sample; wherein the cover is disposed rotatably and movably in a horizontal direction with respect to the incubator body.

Abstract: A system and method of incubating a liquid is provided. The system is well-suited for incubating small volumes of liquid at high temperatures. The liquid may be a reaction mixture comprising a glycoprotein. During the incubation process, oligosaccharides may be removed from the glycoprotein.

Abstract: In a convective treatment system a wind-actuated instrument mounted near an end of an air hose provides, generates, issues, or sounds an audible alarm when the end becomes disconnected from a convective device and pressurized air continues to flow through the end. The instrument may be mounted on an interface device receivable on the end. The interface device may include means for reducing or stopping the flow of air through the end in response to the disconnection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phototherapy device for treating icterus in new-born patients, comprising a light box with at least one light source arranged in the box for illuminating the patient and a support for the patient to be placed upon which is at least partially transparent or tinted as to allow the light from the light box to expose the patient from below with respect to its direction of gravity, making it possible to expose areas having a high bilirubin concentration which tend to follow the direction of gravity.

Abstract: There is disclosed an incubator (1) for hatching the eggs (12) of birds, comprising a cover (2), a base (10) for supporting the eggs (12), a flexible screen (5) which is associated with the cover (2) and is sufficiently loose to be able to follow the contour of the upper region of the eggs (12) positioned on the base (10) below the screen (15), a device such as a fan (13) for creating a super-atmospheric pressure in the chamber (7) defined between the cover (2) and the screen (5), and a device such as a heater (8) for heating air in the chamber (7).

Abstract: An infant incubator in which the heater for heating the air circulated through the incubator and the speed of the fan which forces air across the heater to circulate through the incubator are controlled to increase the temperature of the heated air and delivery of the heated air to the space in which an infant has been placed for treatment when an access door of the incubator has been opened. The increase in temperature and delivery of the heated air is caused by a sensor which senses when the access door is opened.

Abstract: An incubator is provided wherein the individual wells of a Micro Titer Plate are heated by means of a continuous temperature regulated flow of warm air (typically 37.degree. C.) blowing through a series of holes from a plate underneath onto the bottom of the wells. A typical Micro Titer Plate can have 96 wells and is used, for example, in medical laboratories. The volume of a well is typically 0.35 milliliter. Both the end temperature and the way the end temperature is reached is the same for all individual wells and is not dependent on either the location of the well on the Micro Titer Plate or its surrounding by other wells.

Abstract: A thermal chamber, e.g. for culturing bacteria, has between a pair of sidewalls, a plurality of replaceable bridge members or plates which can be formed with undulating broad surfaces or grooves to accommodate flasks so that gaps between the plates receive measuring devices for turbidity or the like. The plates are thermally conductive and abut the walls which can be provided with heating or cooling units.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide gas measurement and control system which comprises a thermal conductivity CO.sub.2 sensor and a humidity sensor which produce separate and independent output signals which are compared in a microprocessor, thereby generating a humidity compensated carbon dioxide gas measurement which is accurate to within .+-.0.1%.

Abstract: An incubator housing is disclosed with access apertures and doors, and a single mechanism for operating the doors comprising a cam, a cam track, and a cam follower on each door mounted in the track.

Abstract: An incubation apparatus for microtiter plates includes an heating chamber and a incubation chamber. The heating chamber has a controllable hot air generator over which are arranged air guide devices for equalizing and distributing a stream of hot air to the microtiter plates. Air return devices are provided for collecting and returning hot air to the hot air generator. The heating chamber can be closed by a gate, and incubation chamber is divided by shelves into a plurality of compartments for receiving the microtiter plates. It is possible to close each compartment with a gate, and the side walls of the compartments are provided with heating devices. Furthermore, the incubation apparatus is provided with a gripping and transporting device having a working platform that is vertically displaceable and having a horizontally displaceable gripping arm.

Abstract: A poultry brooder pilot burner is provided wherein a pilot body removably mounts onto a mounting and attachment stud under pressure of a spring washer. Inwardly projecting pins traverse flat areas of the mounting stud to enter a circumferential channel and, upon rotating the pilot body, engage detents under pressure of the spring washer to secure the removable pilot body in place. A safety circuit thermocouple is disposed above and to the side of the pilot burner such that the thermocouple detects only such pilot flame as is capable of igniting the main gas burner.

Abstract: An environmentally controlled incubator is described in which the enclosure of the incubator chamber strongly attenuates the transmission of light having wavelengths below about 500 nm for protecting biological materials within the chamber from toxic effects of short wavelength light. The incubator also includes sensors for determining the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration within the chamber and means for adding carbon dioxide, nitrogen or oxygen to the ambient gas within the incubator ion order to maintain the desired levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen. A thermostatically controlled heater and a humidification chamber warm and humidify the gas as it is circulated through the humidification chamber under control of a fan. An airlock is provided to allow biological materials to be placed within or removed from the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy saving system for heating and/or cooling of plants, particularly of animal raising plants, having areas suited for the containment of a plurality of living bodies, which system is suited for reducing the spread of infection between the various areas, characterized in that(a) there is provided an air treating unit (2) connected to a heat pump (3) for condensing the water vapors (steam) generated in the areas (1) and for recovery of the so obtained amount of heat with the aid of a vapor condenser;(b) there is provided a dust filter (18) for eliminating the mechanical contaminations in the air of the areas (1);(c) there is provided a chemical filter (7) for reducing, or respectively eliminating the gases that are contained in the air of the areas (1); and finally(d) there is provided a biological filter (16) for the biological filtration of the air exiting from the areas (1).

Abstract: An air conditioning system for a poultry house. Plenum structure extends substantially the entire length of the poultry house. A forced-air heating unit is coupled to the plenum structure by flexible conduit. The heated air is controlled by slidable adjustment structure to provide substantially even heat along the entire length of the plenum structure.

Abstract: An incubator apparatus comprising an air-tight, sealed compartment for providing an incubation chamber and a sealed control compartment for housing electronic control circuitry. The control compartment and the incubation chamber are sealed and insulated from each other by a wall. Temperature, humidity and gas content of the incubation chamber are controlled from the control compartment by way of sensors, conduits and controls coupled between the incubation chamber and control compartment. The electronic components are enclosed within sealed boxes, each box having all but one of its faces substantially positioned inside the control compartment and one face oriented to the outside, whereby the face is removable for providing easy access and removal of the electronic components. Removal is achieved without disturbing the environment inside the incubation chamber and control compartment.

Abstract: A poultry raising system includes a house having one or more enclosed sections with at least one section provided with a plurality of hovers and all of the sections having peripheral heat assemblies. All hovers and heat assemblies are equipped with sealed heat radiating conduits supplied with a fluid heat transfer medium from a common heating apparatus. A supply and return line serving each section from the heating apparatus includes a thermostatically-controlled valve admitting the heat transfer medium to all of a section's hovers as well as other thermostatically controlled valves regulating the flow of heat transfer medium to each of a section's peripheral heat assemblies. Dampers in roof-top vents are automatically opened and closed in response to signals from a gas sensor in each section to evacuate obnoxious gasses from each section enclosure and the evacuated gas is replaced by fresh outside air admitted through automatic dampers adjacent the house side walls.

Abstract: An infant incubator in which the heater for heating the air circulated through the incubator and the speed of the fan which forces air across the heater to circulate through the incubator are controlled to increase the temperature of the heated air and delivery of the heated air to the space in which an infant has been placed for treatment when an access door of the incubator has been opened. The increase in temperature and delivery of the heated air is caused by a sensor which senses when the access door is opened.