Abstract:
Single dye fluorescent staining and the combination of differences in both intensity and spectral emission permit determination of the minimum concentration of an antibiotic needed to inactivate bacteria (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)), thereby providing a means for rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST). This allows for a quick and easy means for clinicians to determine a suitable treatment regimen for patients suffering from bacterial infections and those that eventually lead to sepsis.
Abstract:
A method of welding a side of a first element to a side of a second element is provided. The side of the first element includes a recessed surface and a protruding surface. The side of the second element includes a recessed surface and a protruding surface. A rib extends from the first element, optionally from the recessed surface of the first element, or from the second element, optionally from the protruding surface of the second element. The method includes a step of moving the first element towards the second element, thereby causing a surface of the rib to contact the first element or the second element. The method also includes, with the rib in contact with the first element or the second element, as step of melting the rib, thereby causing the protruding surface of the first element to contact the recessed surface of the second element.
Abstract:
A filter arrangement with a top element and a bottom element and a filter element therebetween captures oversized particles on the upper surface of the filter element and tangentially rinses these particles using an elution fluid to provide a concentration of particles in a relatively low volume of fluid for further analysis. A configuration using a slider valve may also be utilized. Additionally, an arrangement of supply and receiving containers may be used to minimize the number of containers required. A mass flow meter may be incorporated to measure the flow of elution fluid. Finally, a wash stage of the filtering process may be used to introduce stain onto the particles for further analysis, such as that associated with Gram staining and these stained particles may be further analyzed.
Abstract:
A filter arrangement with a top element and a bottom element and a filter element therebetween captures oversized particles on the upper surface of the filter element and tangentially rinses these particles using an elution fluid to provide a concentration of particles in a relatively low volume of fluid for further analysis. A configuration using a slider valve may also be utilized. Additionally, an arrangement of supply and receiving containers may be used to minimize the number of containers required. A mass flow meter may be incorporated to measure the flow of elution fluid. Finally, a wash stage of the filtering process may be used to introduce stain onto the particles for further analysis, such as that associated with Gram staining and these stained particles may be further analyzed.
Abstract:
Single dye fluorescent staining and the combination of differences in both intensity and spectral emission permit determination of the minimum concentration of an antibiotic needed to inactivate bacteria (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)), thereby providing a means for rapid Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST). This allows for a quick and easy means for clinicians to determine a suitable treatment regimen for patients suffering from bacterial infections and those that eventually lead to sepsis.
Abstract:
A filter arrangement with a top element and a bottom element and a filter element therebetween captures oversized particles on the upper surface of the filter element and tangentially rinses these particles using an elution fluid to provide a concentration of particles in a relatively low volume of fluid for further analysis. In an intermediate step, the particles captured by the filter may be rinsed with a rinsing fluid such as water to pass additional undersized particles through the filter, thereby providing a purer sample. To improve efficiency, check valves may be used for passageways with one-way flow. Additionally, a configuration of three-way stopcocks may also be utilized. Finally, a sandwich arrangement is possible, wherein a single bottom element is sandwiched between two opposing top elements.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria, in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optics cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; wherein the walls are angled to allow for better coating and better striations of the light. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optics cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer, wherein the optics cup also has a floor in the shape of an inverted arch.
Abstract:
A method and device for enhancing the power correction of optical measurements in an optical measurement arrangement, the steps including: providing a light source for producing a light beam; splitting the light beam into two beams; directing a first split light beam through an interrogation area and into an optics separation device; directing the light beams from the optics separation device and a second split light beam representing the intensity of the illumination of the main light beam of the light source into cells of a detector array; measuring and assessing the information obtained in the cells; and using this information to calculate the corrected value for the cells receiving the light beams from the optics separation device in order to adjust the power for the intensity of the light beam of the light source and/or to correct the intensity of the light beams from the interrogation area.
Abstract:
The method includes several steps including obtaining a bacterial sample; identifying the type of bacteria in the bacterial sample; selecting a set of antibiotics based on the identity of the bacteria in the bacterial sample; obtaining a control sample from the bacterial sample; placing the bacterial sample in solutions containing the set of antibiotics; determining concentration of bacteria in the respective antibiotic solutions; determining growth curves for the respective antibiotic solutions based on the determined bacterial concentration; and comparing the growth curves for the respective antibiotic solutions with a growth curve determined from the control sample. An identification and quantification system may be used to select the set of antibiotics, and further may be used in the steps of determining concentration of bacteria in the respective antibiotic solutions and determining growth curves for the respective antibiotic solutions based on the determined bacterial concentration.
Abstract:
An apparatus for processing a biological sample for optical analysis having a cartridge with a sample supply container and a couvette, a cartridge/magazine holding the cartridge, and a cassette fan positioned over the cartridge. A filter cassette is mounted within the cassette fan, wherein the filter cassette has an inlet for receiving a sample from the sample supply container, an outlet for discharging the filter sample into the couvette, and valves therein to manipulate the sample for filtering. A cassette clamp is positioned over the filter cassette to secure the cassette and operate the filter cassette. A method for implementing this apparatus is also described herein. Additionally an apparatus is used for and a method measures waste fluid that passes over a filter element to control the amount of rinse fluid passing over the filter element.