Abstract: A container for culturing a test sample includes a molded monolithic single layer polymeric container body having an upwardly extending, visually transmissive wall with an inner surface and a wall thickness that is between about 0.2 mm and 10 mm. The container also has a thin gas barrier coating comprising silica on the inner surface of the sealed container body and an internal top coating on the gas barrier coating. The gas barrier and top coating are visually transmissive (after curing). The container includes a cap sealably attached to the container body. The sealed container has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) after autoclaving and aging that is between about 0.0001 to about 0.04 (cc/package/day/atm).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of detection, by mass spectrometry, of at least one marker of at least one mechanism of resistance to at least one antimicrobial, resistance of at least one microorganism contained in a sample, characterized in that the antimicrobial is a cephalosporin, and said resistance markers are proteins or peptides. Preferably, said proteins or peptides are proteins from said microorganism.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, apparatus and circuits are configured to detect fallen containers upstream or proximate an intake zone suitable for automated evaluation apparatus using different sensors, including at least one lower sensor and at least one upper sensor which is positioned to project an optical signal at a height corresponding to a top portion of an upright container to thereby allow an increased reliability in detection of different orientations and positions of fallen containers. An optional second lower sensor may be used which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first lower sensor and the lower sensors can transmit optical signals across the container travel path that do not intersect.

Abstract: A holding structure for holding a plurality of culture plates in a stacked arrangement includes a feature for de-nesting the bottom culture plate from the plate above it. The de-nesting feature is preferably a structure which urges a plate to move laterally relative to the plate above it. The de-nesting of the bottom culture plate from the adjacent culture plate facilitates withdrawal of the bottom culture plate from the base via a robotic plate transfer mechanism. The de-nesting feature can be entirely passive, such as ramps formed in the base of the holding structure.

Abstract: A detector arrangement is disclosed for a blood culture bottle incorporating a colorimetric sensor which is subject to change of color due to change in pH or CO2 of a sample medium within the blood culture bottle. The detector arrangement includes a sensor LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a reference LED illuminating the colorimetric sensor, a control circuit for selectively and alternately activating the sensor LED and the reference LED, and a photodetector. The photodetector measures reflectance from the colorimetric sensor during the selective and alternating illumination of the colorimetric sensor with the sensor LED and the reference LED and generates intensity signals. The reference LED is selected to have a peak wavelength of illumination such that the intensity signals of the photodetector from illumination by the reference LED are not substantially affected by changes in the color of the colorimetric sensor.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a culture container include molding a single monolithic layer of polymeric material into a container body having a container shape; introducing a colorimetric sensor material and growth media into the container body; introducing a gas mixture into the container body to define a headspace gas in an upper portion of the container body; attaching a stopper to the neck of the container body with the sensor material; sealing the container body with the stopper closed to define a sealed container with the growth media and the headspace gas enclosed therein; then sterilizing the sealed container; then applying a gas barrier coating to an exterior of the sterilized container body so that the sealed container has an oxygen transmission rate (cubic centimeter/container/day/atm) that is between about 0.001 to about 0.01 to thereby define a culture container that is ready-to-use and shelf stable without autoclaving.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a culture container include: (a) forming a parison; (b) introducing flowable (e.g. colorimetric) sensor material into the parison; (c) blow molding the parison into a container body; and (d) curing the sensor material so that it attaches to an inner surface of the container body. The methods can also include adding sterile growth media into the container and sealing the container shut with an elastomeric stopper and crimped seal/cap. The process can be aseptic so that autoclaving the container is not required.

Abstract: Devices and systems include housing members with sliding hinges that allow straight linear outward extension before allowing the front housing member to pivot open provide access to interiors for service using smaller footprints and/or without disrupting abutting instrument operation.

Abstract: An incubator is fitted with an enclosure which surrounds the incubator. A cold air generation system supplies relatively cold air to a space formed between enclosure and the incubator. The system supplying the cold air can be embodied in a cart or base upon which the incubator sits. The enclosure is also placed on the base in a manner such that it substantially envelops the incubator. The top of the cart has openings for egress of cold air and return of air so that air may circulate in a closed loop. The incubator, cold air supply system and enclosure present a solution for incubating samples in a nominal 20-25° C. temperature environment. The enclosure, which is preferably insulated, may include a void or opening which exposes doors or other access device of the incubator, allowing direct access to the samples in the incubator while the rest of the incubator is enveloped by the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and automated transfer means for transferring a container within an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for the use of one or more identifier agents and interrogating the microorganism sample and/or said one or more identifier agents to produce measurements which characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism based on the produced measurements and/or the presence or absence of the identifier agent or a metabolized form of the identifier agent in the microorganism sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and automated unloading means for unloading a container from an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of detection, by mass spectrometry, of at least one marker of at least one mechanism of resistance to at least one antimicrobial, resistance of at least one microorganism contained in a sample, characterised in that the antimicrobial is a carbapenem, and said resistance markers are proteins or peptides. Preferably, said proteins or peptides are proteins from said microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for establishing and/or maintaining proper alignment of a transfer mechanism. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an alignment system and method having one or more of: (a) a laser alignment device operable to providing precise locational coordinates for alignment of a robotic transfer mechanism relative to a holding structure; (b) an alignment tool for aligning a laser alignment device relative to robotic transfer mechanism; (c) lead in ramps to properly guide an individual specimen container into a holding well; and/or (d) a belt tensioning device for maintaining proper tension on one or more timing belts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and means for the neutralization, binding, and/or inactivation of antimicrobials in a test sample. The invention is also directed to a method of detecting the presence of one or more microorganisms in a test sample by culturing the test sample in a culture media comprising one or more primary amine-containing compounds.

Abstract: An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.

Abstract: A method of identifying a microorganism by mass spectrometry, including acquiring at least one mass spectrum of said microorganism; for each acquired mass spectrum: detecting peaks of the spectrum in a predetermined mass range; generating a list of peaks identifying at most one peak in each interval of a predetermined subdivision of the range of mass-to-charge ratios, the width of the intervals of the subdivision logarithmically increasing along with the mass-to-charge ratio, and analyzing the list(s) of peaks obtained according to a knowledge base of previously-identified microorganisms and/or types of microorganisms.

Abstract: An identification by mass spectrometry of a microorganism from among reference microorganisms represented by reference data sets includes: determining a set of data of the microorganism according to a spectrum; for each reference microorganism, calculating a distance between the determined and reference sets; and calculating a probability f(m) according to relation f ? ( m ) = pN ? ( m ? ? , ? ) pN ? ( m ? ? , ? ) + ( 1 - p ) ? N ? ( m ? ? _ , ? _ ) where: m is the distance calculated for the reference microorganism; N(m|?,?) is the value, for m, of a random variable modeling the distance between a reference microorganism to be identified and the reference microorganism, when the microorganism is the reference microorganism; N(m| ?, ?) is the value, for m, of a random variable modeling the distance between a microorganism to be identified and the reference microorganism, when the microorganism is not the reference microorganism; and p is a scalar in the range

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for scanning, detecting, and monitoring microorganisms on solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements. The methods are further directed to detection, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms on a solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements that are characteristic of said microorganisms.