The invention relates to a dialysis cell for sample preparation for a chemical analysis method, in particular for ion chromatography. The dialysis cell comprises a donor channel and an acceptor channel extending parallel thereto. The donor channel and the acceptor channel are separated from each other by a selectively permeable dialysis membrane. In particular, an analyte that is dissolved in a donor solution in the donor channel can enter through the dialysis membrane into the acceptor solution in the acceptor channel. The acceptor channel has at least in some sections a volume that is smaller than the volume of the donor channel extending parallel thereto. Acceptor and donor channels are formed from half-cells, between which the dialysis membrane is arranged, wherein the donor channel and the acceptor channel are designed in each case as a recess in a contact surface of one of the half-cells with the dialysis membrane.

A process for detecting viable waterborne pathogens in a water sample, includes enriching a concentrate of bacteria from the sample and taking a first DNA extract at time T.sub.0 and a second DNA extract at time T.sub.2 after an incubation period. Real-time polymerase chain reaction performed on the DNA extracts yields respective cycle threshold values Ct. The change in Ct provides an indication of the targeted pathogen in the sample. An order of magnitude quantification of the sample can also be performed using a serial dilution technique on the T.sub.0 DNA extract. The process has particular application for detecting Legionella, including viable but not culturable cells.

A process for detecting viable waterborne pathogens in a water sample, includes enriching a concentrate of bacteria from the sample and taking a first DNA extract at time T.sub.0 and a second DNA extract at time T.sub.2 after an incubation period. Real-time polymerase chain reaction performed on the DNA extracts yields respective cycle threshold values Ct. The change in Ct provides an indication of the targeted pathogen in the sample. An order of magnitude quantification of the sample can also be performed using a serial dilution technique on the T.sub.0 DNA extract. The process has particular application for detecting Legionella, including viable but not culturable cells.

The invention relates to a container for a rack of a diagnostic robot comprising: a container body comprising a sidewall or multiple sidewalls, a bottom and a top wherein the container body is of round, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal or polygonal cross sectional shape, the top is provided with an opening that matches the size and form of a filter membrane/supporting body of an object carrier which is placed over the opening in the top of the container for filtration of a sample, wherein the opening exhibits a rim and the top is provided with a top-guiding-means which matches with a corresponding object-carrier-guiding-means on or in the object carrier so that the object carrier locks with a predetermined surface faced up into a predetermined position on the top and the container is equipped with an adapter which matches a gas outlet on the rack.

The invention relates to a container for a rack of a diagnostic robot comprising: a container body comprising a sidewall or multiple sidewalls, a bottom and a top wherein the container body is of round, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal or polygonal cross sectional shape, the top is provided with an opening that matches the size and form of a filter membrane/supporting body of an object carrier which is placed over the opening in the top of the container for filtration of a sample, wherein the opening exhibits a rim and the top is provided with a top-guiding-means which matches with a corresponding object-carrier-guiding-means on or in the object carrier so that the object carrier locks with a predetermined surface faced up into a predetermined position on the top and the container is equipped with an adapter which matches a gas outlet on the rack.

Disclosed herein is a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer, an apparatus comprising the gas separation membrane, and a process for separating a mixture of gases using said gas separation membrane. The process comprises contacting one side of a gas separation membrane comprising a furan-based polymer with a mixture of gases having different gas permeances, whereby at least one gas from the mixture of gases permeates preferentially across the gas separation membrane, thereby separating the at least one gas from the mixture of gases.

A device for isolating DNA from a sample containing cells, including a cartridge having an entrance port and an exit port, a membrane disposed between the entrance port and the exit port, and a plurality of channels between the membrane and the exit port. Additionally, systems and methods for isolating DNA from a sample containing cells and also systems and methods for amplifying and isolating single-stranded DNA from a sample containing DNA.

A system for manufacturing a membrane filter is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit radiation that contacts discrete portions of a filter substrate so as to facilitate the formation of openings within the filter substrate, and a collimator disposed between the filter substrate and the radiation source and operative to restrict some of the radiation from contacting the filter substrate.

A system for manufacturing a membrane filter is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit radiation that contacts discrete portions of a filter substrate so as to facilitate the formation of openings within the filter substrate, and a collimator disposed between the filter substrate and the radiation source and operative to restrict some of the radiation from contacting the filter substrate.

A biological fluid separation device adapted to receive a biological fluid sample having a first portion and a second portion is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a first chamber having a first chamber inlet for receiving the biological fluid sample therein and a first chamber outlet. The housing has a second chamber having a second chamber inlet and a second chamber outlet, and a separation member separating at least a portion of the first chamber outlet and the second chamber. The separation member is adapted to restrain the first portion of the biological fluid sample within the first chamber and to allow at least a portion of the second portion of the biological fluid sample to pass into the second chamber. An actuator, such as a vacuum source, draws the biological fluid sample into the first chamber and the second portion into the second chamber.