Abstract: An interface module is provided for connecting a device to a controller within a controller network. The controller is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a network protocol, and the device is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a device protocol.

Abstract: A method of controlling a controller network is provided, the controller network comprising a plurality of devices, a controller for outputting control data to the devices, and a plurality of interface modules, each interface module being arranged to connect a respective device to the controller via the network. The method comprises: outputting, from the controller, a control message addressed to a first device, the control message corresponding to an action to be performed by the first device; receiving, at a first interface module connecting the first device to the network, the control message; storing the control message in a memory of the first interface module; broadcasting, from the controller, a trigger message addressed to at least the first device; receiving, at the first interface module, the trigger message; and passing, in response to the trigger message, the control message to the first device such that the action corresponding to the control message is performed.

Abstract: A signal generating system comprises a signal generator (14) for generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency; an impedance matching circuit (16), the electrical signal being supplied from the signal generator (14) via the impedance matching circuit (16) to a reactive load (10) in use; and an impedance matching control system (30) for detecting the electrical signal between the signal generator and the reactive load and for adjusting the impedance matching circuit (16) to achieve a predetermined condition. The impedance matching circuit control system (30) comprises a heterodyne circuit, and the system further comprises a heterodyne frequency generator (48) coupled to the signal generator (14) to generate a second, heterodyne frequency from the predetermined frequency from the signal generator. This second, heterodyne frequency is mixed with the detected signal to generate sum and difference signals.

Abstract: A signal generating system comprises a signal generator (14) for generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency; an impedance matching circuit (16), the electrical signal being supplied from the signal generator (14) via the impedance matching circuit (16) to a reactive load (10) in use; and an impedance matching control system (30) for detecting the electrical signal between the signal generator and the reactive load and for adjusting the impedance matching circuit (16) to achieve a predetermined condition. The impedance matching circuit control system (30) comprises a heterodyne circuit, and the system further comprises a heterodyne frequency generator (48) coupled to the signal generator (14) to generate a second, hetero-dyne frequency from the predetermined frequency from the signal generator. This second, heterodyne frequency is mixed with the detected signal to generate sum and difference signals.

Abstract: An interface module is provided for connecting a device to a controller within a controller network. The controller is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a network protocol, and the device is adapted to supply and/or receive data according to a device protocol.

Abstract: A method of controlling a controller network is provided, the controller network comprising a plurality of devices, a controller for outputting control data to the devices, and a plurality of interface modules, each interface module being arranged to connect a respective device to the controller via the network. The method comprises: outputting, from the controller, a control message addressed to a first device, the control message corresponding to an action to be performed by the first device; receiving, at a first interface module connecting the first device to the network, the control message; storing the control message in a memory of the first interface module; broadcasting, from the controller, a trigger message addressed to at least the first device; receiving, at the first interface module, the trigger message; and passing, in response to the trigger message, the control message to the first device such that the action corresponding to the control message is performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection of microorganisms. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for detecting live microorganisms in a culture by capturing and culting the microorganisms on para-tropic-coated paramagnetic beads. This technique is useful for any application in which it is necessary to monitor the biological contamination level, for example drinking water, recreational waters, food processing waters and medical laboratories. In one embodiment, the method for determining the concentration of viable microorganisms in a sample according to the invention further comprises an inducer reagent, wherein the inducer reagent includes an inducer compound that induces the activity of an enzyme unique to the microorganism of interest.

Abstract: A simultaneous multianalyte electrochemical assay includes a cell which has a surface and the surface includes analyte binding sites i.e., antibodies or antigens on a solid phase at distinct separate locations. Separate working electrodes are located within proximity to these separate locations. Enzyme labeled antibodies or antigens depending on the assay format are added and the enzyme reaction product measured, by simultaneous amperometric measurement with the independent electrode in each area. The electrodes are spatially separated from adjacent analytes so that a measurement can be taken before cross-interference due to diffusion of product from adjacent analyte areas.

Abstract: An apparatus 20 for the separation of a subpopulation of cells from an intact organ or other biological material is provided. The apparatus 20 includes: (1) a digestion chamber 24 that integrates the primary digestion process, (2) a measuring cylinder 26, (3) a cell collection chamber 28, (4) a heat exchanger 30 for raising and lowering temperatures in the digestion chamber 24 to activate or inactivate enzymes, (5) sensors 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122 to complete a closed feedback loop for allowing optimization of the digestion process, and (6) mock cells which mimic the cells to be harvested and which are used to fully optimize the process without unnecessary destruction of harvested cells. The manipulation of the digestion process may be manual or may be automated under computer control.

Abstract: The present invention is premised on the realization that a single electrochemical binding assay device can be used to determine multiple analytes in a single sample by simultaneous amperometric measurements using a plurality of working electrodes.

Abstract: The concentration of NADH or NADPH in a test solution is determined by adding a redox coupling agent, preferably 2,6 dichloroindophenol DCIP, to the test solution. The coupling agent reacts with the NADH or NADPH to form an electroactive coupling agent (DCIPH.sub.2) which is then detected electrochemically at a lower voltage than would be required to detect the NADH or NADPH. This can be used to detect NADH or NADPH formed by any well known enzymatic or immunoassay method which produces NADH as a detectable product. This has particular application to biological fluids such as whole blood which does not require any treatment of the test sample prior to electrochemical analysis. In particular, red blood cells do not have to be removed from whole blood samples to provide reliable data.