Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automated platform for inoculating a variety of receptacles with biological samples for testing and analysis. The lab automation system includes a plurality of modules used to automate the inoculation of media for subsequent analysis. In this regard, the lab automation system has one module to enter specimen/order information and store an inventory of petri dishes. Another module is used to label the sample receptacles with a unique identifier that associates the receptacles with the sample. Yet another module includes a robot for retrieving sample and inoculating the receptacles. The sample inoculation module also includes an apparatus that will receive slides, inoculate those slides, and further process the slides for analysis. Finally, the lab automation system includes a module that streaks the culture media with the sample. Thus, the automated lab system described herein provides consistent samples with minimal input from a lab operator.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automated platform for inoculating a variety of receptacles with biological samples for testing and analysis. The lab automation system includes a plurality of modules used to automate the inoculation of media for subsequent analysis. In this regard, the lab automation system has one module to enter specimen/order information and store an inventory of petri dishes. Another module is used to label the sample receptacles with a unique identifier that associates the receptacles with the sample. Yet another module includes a robot for retrieving sample and inoculating the receptacles. The sample inoculation module also includes an apparatus that will receive slides, inoculate those slides, and further process the slides for analysis. Finally, the lab automation system includes a module that streaks the culture media with the sample. Thus, the automated lab system described herein provides consistent samples with minimal input from a lab operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A retrievable self-energizing top anchor tool with a central energizing mandrel disposed around a central tool bore and a set of anchor segments distributed around a circumference of the central energizing mandrel, each having one or more wedge surfaces facing toward the central tool bore and corresponding to and engaging inclined surfaces of the central energizing mandrel. The tool is releasable by relative upward movement of a release sub against a release sub stop arranged within the central tool bore. A release mechanism houses one or more pre-loaded release spring members locked with a release locking mechanism. When unlocked the release spring members exert a retracting bias force on the central energizing mandrel in downward direction along the longitudinal axis relative to the set of anchor segments. This downward movement of the central energizing mandrel causes a radially inward movement of the set of anchor segments.

Abstract: A to be expanded tubular (4) can be locked to a previously installed host casing (2) using a self energizing top anchor (SETA) tool. This SETA tool has an anchoring section with a set of anchoring slips (1), and a centralizer which is connected to the body of the anchoring section. The anchoring slips (1) engage the host casing (2) once an expansion cone (3) presses the tubular against the shoulder of the centralizer. The SETA tool is further provided with a guide nose (7) to which a force transmission sub (8) is connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A retrievable self-energizing top anchor tool with a central energizing mandrel disposed around a central tool bore and a set of anchor segments distributed around a circumference of the central energizing mandrel, each having one or more wedge surfaces facing toward the central tool bore and corresponding to and engaging inclined surfaces of the central energizing mandrel. The tool is releasable by relative upward movement of a release sub against a release sub stop arranged within the central tool bore. A release mechanism houses one or more pre-loaded release spring members locked with a release locking mechanism. When unlocked the release spring members exert a retracting bias force on the central energizing mandrel in downward direction along the longitudinal axis relative to the set of anchor segments. This downward movement of the central energizing mandrel causes a radially inward movement of the set of anchor segments.

Abstract: A system for radially expanding a tubular element (2) in an underground borehole (3) comprises an expansion string (16) extending into the tubular element (2) and including an expander (27) and a jack device (24) for pulling the expander (27) through the tubular element (2) so as to radially expand the tubular element (2). The jack device (24) is provided with an anchor (28) having at least one slip element (50) adapted to be radially moved against the inner surface of the tubular element (2). A cage (14) is positioned above the tubular element (2), which cage (14) is surrounded by a cylindrical wall and adapted to receive the anchor (28) and to be radially expanded by the anchor (28) against said cylindrical wall.

Abstract: An anchoring system for anchoring a tool (24) in a downhole tubular element (2) comprises: —an anchor (28) having a central body (40) connected to, or integrally formed with, the tool (24); —a slip element (50) radially movable relative to the central body (32) between a retracted and an expanded position against the inner surface of the tubular element (2), —a primary spring (56) for moving the slip element to the expanded position; —a control device comprising a stop member (60) against which the slip element (50) is pushed by the primary spring (56); and —a secondary spring (58) acting on the stop member (60) to move each slip element (50) to its retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: The functionality of a downhole tubular expansion tool is switched by: -providing the unexpanded tubular with an oversized section (7) having a larger internal width than other (non-oversized) sections of the unexpanded tubular (6);-providing the expansion tool with a control sub (1) comprising a trigger assembly (2) that is pushed outward within the oversized section and thereby switches the functionality of the tool, for example by contracting or expanding a collapsible expansion cone and/or opening a valve.

Abstract: A to be expanded tubular (4) can be locked to a previously installed host casing (2) using a self energizing top anchor (SETA) tool. This SETA tool has an anchoring section with a set of anchoring slips (1), and a centralizer which is connected to the body of the anchoring section. The anchoring slips (1) engage the host casing (2) once an expansion cone (3) presses the tubular against the shoulder of the centralizer. The SETA tool is further provided with a guide nose (7) to which a force transmission sub (8) is connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A system for radially expanding a tubular element (2) in an underground borehole (3) comprises an expansion string (16) extending into the tubular element (2) and including an expander (27) and a jack device (24) for pulling the expander (27) through the tubular element (2) so as to radially expand the tubular element (2). The jack device (24) is provided with an anchor (28) having at least one slip element (50) adapted to be radially moved against the inner surface of the tubular element (2). A cage (14) is positioned above the tubular element (2), which cage (14) is surrounded by a cylindrical wall and adapted to receive the anchor (28) and to be radially expanded by the anchor (28) against said cylindrical wall.

Abstract: An anchoring system for anchoring a tool (24) in a downhole tubular element (2) comprises: an anchor (28) having a central body (40) connected to, or integrally formed with, the tool (24); a slip element (50) radially movable relative to the central body (32) between a retracted and an expanded position against the inner surface of the tubular element (2), a primary spring (56) for moving the slip element to the expanded position; a control device comprising a stop member (60) against which the slip element (50) is pushed by the primary spring (56); and a secondary spring (58) acting on the stop member (60) to move each slip element (50) to its retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.