An abnormality detection device includes: a coupling-capacitor having a first-end and a second-end coupled with a high-voltage circuit; a signal output unit; a signal extraction unit; and a signal input unit. The signal output unit is coupled with the first-end of the coupling-capacitor via a detection-resistor, and outputs an alternating-current inspection-signal. The signal extraction unit extracts the inspection-signal, as an extraction-signal, output between the detection-resistor and the coupling-capacitor. The signal input unit detects abnormality of insulation resistance of the high-voltage circuit based on a level of the inputted extraction-signal. The signal extraction unit includes a signal removing filter and a subtraction circuit. The filter removes a signal equal in frequency to the inspection-signal and passes low-frequency noises lower in frequency than the inspection-signal. The subtraction circuit outputs a differential signal, as the extraction-signal, between a signal having passed through the filter and a signal not having passed through the filter.

In the detection of the presence of a biomarker or the like in a sample of a flowable substance, e.g. a powder or a liquid, usually a body fluid, such as blood, urine, or saliva, for example, a disposable sample receiver (3) is used, which has a receiving chamber (301) that is dimensioned to receive a predetermined volume and is surrounded by a depression (303) receiving any excess volume for which there is no room in the receiving chamber (301). The receiving chamber (301) has a bottom outlet (302) closed by a removable strip (33), e.g. a plastic strip or foil. Upon pulling away the strip (33) from the bottom outlet, the sample in the receiving chamber is emptied into a flow path (32) leading to at least one detection compartment (321) permitting direct visual inspection. Preferably, disposable sample receiver (3) is used in a detector assembly (1) including an electronic camera (23), a CPU (26) and a display (22). Hereby, the volume of the sample to be analyzed will always be the same, and by controlling the exact point of time when the sample is passed on into the flow path (32), a high degree of repeatability and accuracy is achieved, and thereby also a fail-safe system.

A device (1) and a method are provided for treating a porous filtration medium (37) having a receiving unit (2) with of a receiving part (5) and a base part (6). The porous filtration medium (37) can be lifted by the receiving part (5) from a lower part (33) of a filtration device (32), and the receiving part (5) with the porous filtration medium (37) can be mounted on the base part (6). The receiving part (5) is latchable to the base part (6). The base part (6), towards the filtration medium (37) has an incubation chamber (17) connected to a base part (6) outlet (3) that faces away from the receiving part (5), and the outlet (3) has a projection onto which a receiving vessel (4) containing a solvent (28) for dissolving the porous filtration medium (37) can be detachably pushed on.

Disclosed is a sample dispatcher configured for individually introducing a plurality of portions of one or more sample fluids into a flow of a mobile phase of a separation system configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids. The separation system comprises a mobile phase drive configured for driving the mobile phase through a separation unit configured for separating compounds of the sample fluids in the mobile phase. The sample dispatcher comprises a plurality of sample reservoirs, each configured for receiving and temporarily storing a respective sample fluid portion or at least a part thereof. The sample dispatcher is configured for selectively coupling one of the plurality of sample reservoirs between the mobile phase drive and the separation unit, and further for coupling at least two of the plurality of sample reservoirs in parallel between the mobile phase drive and the separation unit.

A method for determining a state of a measuring transducer integrated in a process container, wherein in the process container one or more processes are being performed, and the measuring transducer registers at least one physical or chemical process parameter within the process container, includes steps as follows: identifying a process currently being performed in the process container; and ascertaining a deviation value as measure of a deviation of a measured value progression registered by the measuring transducer during the process currently being performed in the process container from a measured value progression expected for the identified process, wherein the state of the measuring transducer and/or of the process is determined utilizing the ascertained deviation value.

An apparatus includes a piston cavity, a piston insertable in the piston cavity, and at least one flow cavity. Each flow cavity is inserted in the piston, alongside the piston cavity such that the flow cavity has a connection with the piston cavity, or between the piston and a wall of the piston cavity by means of one or more differences in cross section between the piston and the piston cavity, and the flow cavity is in contact with a liquid substance being processed. The piston moves back and forth inside the piston cavity and causes with its movement a flow of the liquid substance in each flow cavity in connection with measuring the liquid substance.

A device for detecting a concentration of tiny particulates in an air sample is provided. The device comprises: a container that contains the air sample and has an opening; a sealing mechanism that opens or seals the opening; a sensor provided in the container and operative to sense a total concentration of particulates in the air sample within the container; and a controller connected to the sensor and operative to control the sealing mechanism. The controller is configured to: control the sealing mechanism to open the opening and the sensor to sense a first total concentration of particulates; control the sealing mechanism to seal the opening, so as to seal the container for a predetermined time period, and then control the sensor to sense a second total concentration of particulates; calculate a ratio of a concentration of tiny particulates to a total concentration of particulates based on a predetermined relationship between the ratio of the concentration of tiny particulates to the total concentration of particulates and a ratio of the second total concentration of particulates to the first total concentration of particulates; and calculate the concentration of tiny particulates in the air sample based on the first total concentration of particulates and the ratio of the concentration of tiny particulates to the total concentration of particulates.

The invention relates to a freezing machine (150) for freezing samples, encompassing: a freezing device (140) for freezing a sample received in the freezing machine (150); a container (100) for receiving the frozen sample, having a reservoir (105) for liquid nitrogen; and a transfer apparatus for transferring the frozen sample from the freezing device (140) into the container (100), the container (100) comprising at least two receiving devices (104), separated from one another, each for at least one frozen sample; a selection apparatus being provided for selecting one of the receiving devices (104) for a frozen sample that is to be transferred into the container (100), the freezing machine (150) being configured to carry out the transfer of the frozen sample, by means of the transfer apparatus, into the respectively selected receiving device (104) of the container (100); and to a method for transferring frozen samples into a container provided therefor.

Described is an apparatus (1) for measuring odours comprising: a measuring chamber (2); an intake duct (4) having two ends, an inlet end (4a) in communication with the outside environment and an outlet end (4b) in connection with the measuring chamber; at least one sensor (3), positioned inside the measuring chamber (2) and designed for measuring the olfactory properties of a gas; a control unit (6) designed for processing signals coming from the at least one sensor (3) and providing a parameter representing the odours measured in the gas to be analysed; a suction device (5), positioned inside the intake duct (4) and designed to circulate the gas inside the apparatus (1); a cleaning device designed for restoring the characteristics of the at least one sensor (3) following a measurement, wherein the cleaning device is designed for generating ozone inside the apparatus (1).

The present invention relates to a device for collecting body fluids including (a) a fluid receiving part including a fluid receiving space in which an internal low pressure less than an external atmospheric pressure is formed; (b) a fluid collection part including a hollow microstructure connected to form an open system with the fluid receiving space of the fluid receiving part; and (c) a microstructure hollow barrier for blocking the hollow of the microstructure to maintain the internal low pressure formed in the fluid receiving means.