Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capture concentration of analytes using lectins and other capture ligands are described. For example, stationary phase media functionalized with lectins are used for capture concentration and cleaning of TB lipoarabinomannan (TB LAM) prior to assay on a lateral flow assay (LFA) device, and filtration devices suitable for particulate or bulk capture media are described. Size-exclusion filtration is used to separate particles with captured analyte during washing and concentration steps. Captured analyte can be eluted from stationary phase media prior to application to a LFA or eluted directly onto a customized LFA device that includes a size-selective filter. In various aspects, a size-selective filter on a LFA is used to transfer particulate capture media on a LFA device.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: A device for application of even pressure on a plunger head includes: a center rod with a pressure plate affixed at a first end and a back plate positioned adjacent to a second end; a positioning spring adjacent to the pressure plate at a surface distal to the center rod; a positioning plate adjacent to an end of the positioning spring distal to the pressure plate; a housing including an aperture at a position adjacent to a distal surface of the positioning plate; a main spring surrounding the center rod between the back plate and the pressure plate; and a mechanism positioned to move the center rod between the pressure plate and the back plate, the mechanism positioned to compress the main spring between the pressure plate and the back plate in response to force applied by a user.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.

Abstract: The invention provides disposable microfluidic devices that incorporate magnetic media and methods of using such devices to perform diagnostic assays on a sample. One exemplary microfluidic device comprises a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a substantially planar member containing at least one hydrophilic region, where the substantially planar member is disposed between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and the magnetic layers provide an attractive force useful for reducing the loss of fluid and/or s reagent from the device.

Abstract: The invention provides molecular diagnostic test devices and methods for using such diagnostic test devices to detect analytes of biological significance in a patient. The diagnostic test devices are particularly useful for detecting a polynucleotide analyte in a sample obtained from a patient. Further, the diagnostic test devices are inexpensive, disposable, easy to use, and are useful at the point of care.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting outcomes of hypothetical events which can occur during a game of baseball, includes: accumulating and storing in a computer memory a statistical database of the cumulative effects of latency and engrams specific to an individual batter having individual batter capabilities and an individual pitcher having individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a pitch, by a user, from amongst pitches compatible with the individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a swing, by a user, from amongst swings compatible with the individual batter capabilities; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual pitcher of the selected pitch; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual batter of the selected swing; and matching in a computer processor the statistical performance of the individual pitcher with the statistical performance of the individual batter so as to compute an outcome.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting outcomes of hypothetical events which can occur during a game of baseball, includes: accumulating and storing in a computer memory a statistical database of the cumulative effects of latency and engrams specific to an individual batter having individual batter capabilities and an individual pitcher having individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a pitch, by a user, from amongst pitches compatible with the individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a swing, by a user, from amongst swings compatible with the individual batter capabilities; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual pitcher of the selected pitch; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual batter of the selected swing; and matching in a computer processor the statistical performance of the individual pitcher with the statistical performance of the individual batter so as to compute an outcome.

Abstract: A method of superplastic forming of titanium packs and an associated assembly is provided. The titanium packs can include sheets having different granular structures so that the different sheets are adapted to superplastically form at different temperatures. One or more of the sheets can be formed at a temperature that is below the superplastic forming temperature of another sheet in the pack. In some cases, the occurrence of markoff can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A messaging system that isolates application programs from the underlying transport and routing mechanisms that are actually used to convey messages. This isolation is provided in part through the use of directory files. The directory files contain all of the specific details (e.g. conversion and routing parameters) necessary to interface with the transport and routing mechanisms. As the transport and routing details change (e.g. due to updated versions or new mechanisms) only the directory files need to be changed. The present invention further includes Message Processing Servers (MPSs) which provide additional messaging functionality such as message storage, tracing, reconciliation, statistical auditing, reformatting, content based routing and multicasting. As additional functionality is developed, this functionality can be flexibly incorporated into a new MPS.

Abstract: A method of superplastic forming of titanium packs and an associated assembly is provided. The titanium packs can include sheets having different granular structures so that the different sheets are adapted to superplastically form at different temperatures. One or more of the sheets can be formed at a temperature that is below the superplastic forming temperature of another sheet in the pack. In some cases, the occurrence of markoff can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A package and a method of forming the package are disclosed. The package includes a container configured to house a first product. The container has a base with at least one wall extending upward therefrom which forms an enclosure having an opening therein. A cover is moveably positioned over the opening to form an enclosed package. The enclosed package has at least one visually exposed surface. A receptacle is secured or built into the package and is capable of retaining a second product in open view. An aesthetically pleasing design is formed on the visually exposed surfaces of the package. The aesthetically pleasing design cooperates with the second product while being generally not indicative of the presence of the first product.

Abstract: A messaging system that isolates application programs from the underlying transport and routing mechanisms that are actually used to convey messages. This isolation is provided in part through the use of directory files. The directory files contain all of the specific details (e.g. conversion and routing parameters) necessary to interface with the transport and routing mechanisms. As the transport and routing details change (e.g. due to updated versions or new mechanisms) only the directory files need to be changed. The present invention further includes Message Processing Servers (MPSs) which provide additional messaging functionality such as message storage, tracing, reconciliation, statistical auditing, reformatting, content based routing and multicasting. As additional functionality is developed, this functionality can be flexibly incorporated into a new MPS.

Abstract: A messaging system that isolates application programs from the underlying transport and routing mechanisms that are actually used to convey messages. This isolation is provided in part through the use of directory files. The directory files contain all of the specific details (e.g. conversion and routing parameters) necessary to interface with the transport and routing mechanisms. As the transport and routing details change (e.g. due to updated versions or new mechanisms) only the directory files need to be changed. The present invention further includes Message Processing Servers (MPSs) which provide additional messaging functionality such as message storage, tracing, reconciliation, statistical auditing, reformatting, content based routing and multicasting. As additional functionality is developed, this functionality can be flexibly incorporated into a new MPS.

Abstract: A hub-and-spoke communication arrangement is provided, in which the “hub” includes a server computer system. The “spokes” are other computers that act as message originators and/or destinations. All internal-to-external messages, and vice versa, are routed through the server computer system to reduce the number of proprietary connections needed between the internal and external entities. In addition, the server computer system provides protocol conversion, message payload conversion, encryption conversion, message broadcast, and/or message archival functionality, so that the “spoke” computers need not be concerned with providing such functionality on their own.

Abstract: In a communication-system infrastructure usage measurement system and related methods with minimal overhead, message usage statistics are aggregated at a communication-channel level by emitter programs before sending them to a collector program upon an occurrence of an event. An example of an event is an expiration of a predetermined interval. In between event occurrences, message usage statistics are aggregated, and a summary message is transmitted to the collector at the next event occurrence. The collector program compiles the statistics and may generate billing information from the compiled statistics. The billing information may include charges associated with an entity that uses the infrastructure.