Sequoia-turner Corporation

Molecular Devices Corporation

Spectra-physics Gmbh

Diasonics, Inc.

Henry L Schwartz

Joseph F Rando

Jeffrey M Libby

Gillian M Humphries

Alfred H Sturtevant

Donald L Miller

Anne R Kopf-Sill

Paul Douglas Corl

Anthony J Rossetti

David E Stepner

James F Havlice

Daniel R Mack

Joe R Suarez

Albert S Waxman

This invention encompasses porous microchambers which contain cells and permit liquid to flow in and out of the chamber while retaining cells within the chamber. These porous microchambers serve as disposable devices for placing cells in a microflowchamber so that properties of the cells within the porous microchamber can be measured.

Cell assay device

Cell assay device used in a microphysiometer

This invention is a debubbler, degasser or gasser device used to remove gas bubbles and/or dissolved gasses from a liquid stream or to add gasses to a liquid stream. The device consists of a first block, a hydrophobic membrane, and a second block. The first block has a channel for carrying liquids which is grooved into its lower surface. The end of the channel is connected to an inlet and outlet. The second block has venting holes. When the hydrophobic membrane is pressed between the first and second block liquid can flow through the channel and bubbles or dissolved gasses in the liquid stream pass through the hydrophobic membrane. Alternatively, or in combination with degassing or debubbling, the device may be employed to introduce into the liquid stream gasses provided on the opposing side of the hydrophobic membrane.

Device and method for degassing, gassing and debubbling liquids

Apparatus are provided which automatically add diluent/quench reagent in such a manner as to enable adequate mixing as well as a short period for further mixing in automated immunoassay techniques. The probes for adding the diluent/quench reagents are offset from the optics module probe so that reagents are being added to a second row while the optics probe aspirates solutions from a first row.

Apparatus for dilution and measurement in automated immunoassay

A tool for use in establishing a precise level line or plumb line or line for alignment uses a visible laser diode for projecting the line. The tool is relatively small and compact, drives the laser diode using batteries contained in the tool, and includes tilt compensation for use on surfaces which are not level, up to about 5.degree. off level, for still delivering a truly plumb or truly horizontal beam. A manual selector device is provided for shifting the beam from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation when desired. Specific forms of tilt compensation apparatus are disclosed.

Level/plumb indicator with tilt compensation

An apparatus for centering the open end of tubes prior to the insertion of a probe is described. The tube aligning means has a frustoconical inner surface to gather the tube mouth held loosely in a tube rack. The tube is centered relative to the probe. The aligning means is caused to move along the probe shaft axis by cooperation of an outer probe surface and an inner female surface for receiving the probe. In the preferred embodiment, a spool-like cylindrical member is positioned within the arms of a U-shaped bracket which limits the vertical and restricts the rotational movement of the aligning member.

Tube alignment apparatus

For use with an apparatus for performing biological fluid assays, the apparatus having a probe assembly that includes a tubular probe, a probe wash station for washing the tubular probe with a washing fluid. The probe wash station comprises a probe washing receptacle that is adapted to receive the tubular probe, the receptable having an anti-splash mechanism therein for preventing the splashing of the washing fluid.

Probe wash station

A tube restraining apparatus is described for centering the mouth of a loosely held test tube prior to the insertion of a probe. The apparatus is automatically activated by a motor driven carriage and the cooperation of the probe and the bail. The mouth of the tube is centered by contacting the tube rim with the conical inner surface of the restrainer.

Tube trap apparatus

A multi-mode scanner head employing split (semicircular transducers) is described. In some modes such as simultaneous B-scan and M-scan each transducer moves independent of the other. For continuous Doppler mode the transducers move together. The relatively small, hand-held scanner head is particularly useful for cardiac examinations.

Multi-mode ultrasound scanner

An ultrasound imaging apparatus is described. The hand-held device includes a first oscillating transducer for providing a B-scan display and an offset second transducer which is manually positioned for providing Doppler data. The transducer pulses are interlaced and Doppler transmissions are inhibited to permit B-scan transmissions. However, circuits provide a continuous signal representing a Doppler signal when the Doppler transmissions are inhibited.

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Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Henry L Schwartz