Abstract: A powder composition which is readily dispersible in a liquid such as water without clumping, comprises a powder the particles of which are uniformly coated with an effective amount of a surfactant, preferably Polysorbate-80, sufficient to enable the powder composition to readily disperse in the liquid. A process for making the powder composition that disperses readily in a liquid without clumping, comprises the step of continuously mixing a powder with an amount of a surfactant for a time sufficient to uniformly coat at least substantially all of the particles of the powder with the surfactant.

Abstract: A circular bar code includes first teeth directed radially inward from an outer ring and defining a radial position at which information is encoded and second teeth, tooth directed radially outward from an inner ring and opposing a corresponding one of the first teeth, wherein the information is encoded based on subdivisions of a gap between opposing first and second teeth. In one implementation, the circular bar code is printed on a disk coated with an antibiotic. The disk is used for determining the effectiveness of the antibiotic in killing bacteria, wherein the circular bar code provides identity and concentration information for the antibiotic.

Abstract: A portable specimen transporting cassette for use with an automated specimen handling system The cassette includes a body portion, an electronic programmable memory device attached to the body portion, and an electrical conductor coupled to the memory device. The body portion includes right and left opposing sidewalls, and a substantially open front face between the opposing sidewalls. A plurality of ribs compartmentalize the body portion into superimposed sections, each capable of containing a specimen. The substantially open front face permits the specimens to be inserted into and withdrawn from the cassette. The electrical conductor interfaces with the specimen handling system and permits communication between the memory device and the specimen handling system. The cassette may include two separable portions which can be separately distributed for processing of sorted specimens therein.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit including a syringe port with pin extensions is provided for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample compartments. At least two culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. Downward pressure on the syringe port causes the pin extensions to breache the sample compartment walls and thereby releases the blood sample from one sample compartment into one culture chamber while simultaneously releasing the blood from the other sample compartment into the other culture chamber.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample vials. Independent culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. Further, means are provided for releasing the blood from one sample vial into one culture chamber while simultaneously releasing the blood from the other sample vial into the other culture chamber. In the preferred embodiment, outer walls of the device are constructed of transparent plastic so as to enable visual observance of microorganism growth in the respective culture chambers.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided with a syringe port and a piston assembly for receiving a specimen syringe and for enabling a predetermined quantity of blood to be injected into two sample cups. Isolated media compartments contain growth media, one preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. Once the blood specimen is fully injected into the sample cups, the sample cups are released into the media compartments, thereby enabling the blood specimens to mix with the respective growth media for testing. Further, means may also be provided to lock the syringe into the integral device in order to facilitate efficient disposal upon completion of testing.

Abstract: A multi-chambered blood culture device for simultaneously conducting two blood culture tests on a single blood sample. An integrated unit is provided with rotating blood inlet valve assembly for receiving a blood sample simultaneously into two independent sample vials. Independent culture chambers contain growth media, one culture chamber preferably containing an aerobic growth medium and another culture chamber preferably containing an anaerobic growth medium. The device is configured to isolate the sample vials and culture chambers from contaminants of the external environment. By rotating the blood inlet valve assembly, blood is simultaneously released from one sample vial into one culture chamber and from the other sample vial into the other culture chamber. Outer walls of the device are preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material so as to enable visual observance of microorganism growth in the respective culture chambers.