Abstract:
A circular shaped rotor (16) to facilitate automated identification testing of microorganisms in a microbiology analyzer (10) having two circular arrays (120,124) of microwells downwardly projecting from the top of the rotor (16) connected to a recessed central region (114) by a plurality of microchannels (118,122) formed in the upper surface and connecting the recessed central portion to the second plurality of microwells; the rotor is further adapted to be rotated by a source of rotational energy and moved throughout the analyzer using troughs (126) formed near its outer diameter.
Abstract:
Mixing a liquid solution (18) in a container (14) by revolving a pair of magnets (12) in close proximity to and on opposite sides of the container a distance above the bottom of the container causing a magnetic mixing member (16) to rotate in the liquid about the same distance above the bottom of the container.
Abstract:
A microbiological test array (12) with a generally flat base (11) having a plurality of upwardly projecting microwells (44) connected by a microchannel (42) to an open reservoir (50) formed in a top surface (13) generally parallel to the base (11) of the test array (12). The reservoir (50) has an opening to permit an inoculum-broth liquid solution to flow from the reservoir through the microchannel (51), to a sacrificial evaporation well (46) having an air vent port (48) adapted to control a vacuum filling process, and subsequently to be distributed into each of the plurality of microwells (44).
Abstract:
In response to the need for highly-sensitive antibiotic susceptibility assays and identification assays that do not require extensive incubation times, the present invention provides automated assay methods and systems that permit the determination of antibiotic susceptibilities and/or microorganism identification in a timeframe that is substantially shorter than has previously been attainable using a hybrid system that combines turbimetric and fluorescence determinations using a single, clear-plastic assay platform. Related devices, kits, and components thereof are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A sealable container for holding an analytical sample for processing is disclosed. The container includes a body with a dispensing port and an insert member with an outlet port slidably received in the body. The insert member and the body are movable relative to each other between a first position, in which the outlet port is substantially aligned with the dispensing port, and a second position, in which the outlet port is substantially out of alignment with the dispensing port. Sealing between the insert member and the body, which may take the form of O-rings, provide a substantially airtight, hermetic seal between a reaction chamber formed in the insert member and the body so that the reaction chamber can be sealed or isolated from the outside environment. The container is particularly adapted to contain the processes of nucleic acid amplification and to thereby reduce the problems of sample cross-contamination encountered in such processes. A method of processing an analytical sample using such a container is also disclosed.
Abstract:
In an assay for determination of beta-lactam antibiotic resistance in a target bacterial strain, the strain is grown in the presence of both a beta-lactamese inducing antibiotic and a beta-lactam indicator antibiotic [which kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria] unable to hydrolyze beta-lactam antibiotics. Growth, indicative of drug resistance in the target strain, is monitored by detecting a fluorophor released by the enzymatic cleavage of a metabolizable fluorogenic compound.
Abstract:
Rare earth chelate-conjugated oligonucleotides useful in nucleic acid hybridization assays and for generating chelate-labelled probes of any desired sequence are disclosed. The particular class of chelates utilized exhibit an unusually high efficiency of rare earth element capture, correlated with emission of a high level of signal in time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy compared to other structurally related chelate compounds.
Abstract:
A holder for storing a specimen tray with a removable cover member includes a frame with oppositely facing first and second access openings The first access opening receives the specimen tray and cover member. The holder supports the specimen tray and cover member within the storage area between a pair of oppositely spaced tray support ledges. The second access opening receives an external member that moves vertically in the storage area to lift the specimen tray from the tray support ledges and that moves horizontally out of the storage area to move the lifted specimen tray from the storage area through the second access opening. The holder pivots the cover member away from the specimen tray to retain the cover member in a tilted orientation within the storage area free of the removed specimen tray until its return.