An automatic system for analyzing specimens which have been selectively treated. The specimens are arranged in a plurality of specimen trays with each tray containing a plurality of specimens. Tray towers support a plurality of specimen trays. A work station selectively moves the trays one at a time from the tower to selectively deliver reagent or analyze the specimen in the tray. A control system is adapted to sequentially actuate the work station to properly sequence the system so that the rea...

A specimen testing apparatus is disclosed, including a sensing device for engaging a specimen mounted on a support, an electrical measuring system associated with the sensing device for producing an electrical signal that is a function of a variation in a physical characteristic of the specimen as determined by the sensing device, and an electromagnetic compensation system for applying a compensating force to the sensing device. In one operating condition (as, for example, when the thermal expan...

A specimen collecting and transporting device is provided which includes a container, a swab in the container connected to a closure cap closing one end of the container, and a reservoir attached to the other end of the container and containing a liquid culture-sustaining medium sealed in a chamber of the reservoir. The bottom end of the container has an opening covered by an absorbent pad and which is in contact with the swab tip. The container has a projection which when moved relatively towar...

Apparatus for fixation, dessication, and embedding of biologic specimens for microscopic, especially electron microscopic studies having compartment for treating specimens held in liquid permeable specimen holders, a supply of treatment liquid connected to the compartment, to introduce liquid from the supply, and remove liquid from the compartment, a chamber (14c) in the compartment for holding a quantity of fluid, a passage connected to the chamber, pump (15) located in the chamber for moving f...

Biological specimen collectors, and more particularly devices for guiding such specimens into a container having a peripherally rimmed opening, one embodiment of which comprises a tube made from supple, elastic material, one end of which may be affixed to the outside of such a peripheral rim, in combination with a retaining band, whereby, after a specimen is guided into the container, the wall of the tube may stretched `drum-head` style over the opening to effect closure of the opening with the ...

A specimen image display apparatus is disclosed in which a specimen signal generated when the surface of a specimen is radiated while being scanned by an electron beam is detected, and this detection signal is used to display a magnified image of the specimen on a cathode ray tube. In addition to the specimen image, a scale of fixed length which remains unchanged regardless of the magnification of the specimen image and a character indicating converted scale are displayed on the cathode-ray tube...

A novel container for the collection and storage of capillary blood is disclosed. The container meets the requirements for the collection of minute quantities of capillary blood, safe storage thereof without contaimination from airborne contaminants and ready accessibility of the entire specimen when removal is desired.

Methods and apparatus are described for improving certain signals obtained by electron beam scanning of a specimen surface. In the preferred embodiment pulses from an X-ray probe (responsive to X-rays emitted due to electron bombardment of the specimen surface) are gated by a signal derived from the specimen current of the electron beam scanning apparatus. The specimen current is converted to a voltage signal so that variations in current produce proportionate variations in amplitude of the volt...

A tensile testing apparatus includes an intermittently driven conveyor containing cradles of predetermined positioning shoulder configuration at one end shaped to receive a sample to be tested and to orient the sample transversely to the conveyor feed direction. The conveyor includes a straight line portion for arranging the samples in order before the testing apparatus with their identity tags visible. The sample is passed through apparatus for applying two bench mark stripes in predetermined s...

A manually positionable cam surface mounted on the frame of a microtome is used to control the amount of rotation of a single direction clutch for driving a feed screw to advance a tissue specimen toward a knife between the cutting strokes of the microtome.