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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for inactivation and/or extraction of acid-fast bacteria (e.g., mycobacteria or nocardia), the method comprising the following sequential steps: (a) acquiring a test sample known to contain or that may contain acid-fast bacteria and suspending the test sample in a container containing ethanol and beads; (b) bead beating and/or vortexing the container to break up clumps and/or disrupt acid-fast bacteria cells in the container; and (c) subsequently incubating the suspension for at least about 3 minutes at room temperature to inactivate any acid-fast bacteria contained in the test sample. In accordance with the present invention, the test sample can subsequently be pelleted by centrifugation, resuspended with formic acid, acetonitrile added, and subjected to mass spectrometry for characterization and/or identification of the acid-fast bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for inactivation and/or extraction of fungus samples (e.g., mold or yeast samples), the method comprising the following sequential steps: (a) acquiring a test sample known to contain or that may contain fungus and suspending the test sample in a container containing water and/or suspension medium; (b) adding ethanol to the suspension; (c) centrifuging the container to pellet the fungus and removing and discarding the supernatant; (d) resuspending the fungus in formic acid; (e) adding acetonitrile to the sample; (f) centrifuging the sample; and (g) recovering the supernatant. In accordance with the present invention, the recovered supernatant can be subjected to mass spectrometry analysis for characterization and/or identification of the unknown fungus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for monitoring, detecting, and/or characterizing a biological particle that may be present in a sample whereby the method may be accomplished non-invasively by utilizing a time-dependent spectroscopic technique to obtain at least two measurements of a growth composition comprising a sample and correlating said measurements for the detection and/or characterization of a biological particle, that may be present in the sample.

Abstract: An instrument for conducting nucleic acid amplification reactions in a disposable test device is provided. The test device includes a first reaction chamber containing a first nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., primers and nucleotides) and a second reaction chamber either containing, or in fluid communication, with a second nucleic acid amplification reagent (e.g., an amplification enzyme such as RT). The instrument includes a support structure receiving the test device. A temperature control system maintains the first reaction chamber at a first elevated temperature but simultaneously maintains the second nucleic acid amplification reagent at a second temperature lower than the first temperature so as to preserve the second nucleic acid amplification reagent. An actuator operates on a fluid conduit in the test device to place the first and second reaction chambers in fluid communication with each other after a reaction has occurred in the first reaction chamber at the first temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining whether microbial growth is occurring within a specimen container includes steps of incubating the specimen container and obtaining a series of measurement data points while the specimen container is incubated and storing the data points in a machine-readable memory. The series of measurement data points represent a growth curve of microbial growth within the specimen container. The methods determine a positive condition of microbial growth within the container from the measurement data points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting, and characterizing a microorganism present in a blood culture medium whereby the method may be accomplished utilizing a time-dependent spectroscopic technique to obtain at least two measurements directly of a blood culture medium and correlating said measurements for the detection and characterization of a microorganism, that may be present in the blood culture.

Abstract: An integrated instrument processes fluid test samples using disposable test devices. The test devices are carried in a carrier. The instrument includes a vacuum station receiving the carrier for batch loading of the test devices with fluid samples to be tested. The user removes the carrier from the vacuum station and inserts it into a loading station of a separate carrier and test device processing subsystem. This subsystem includes a transport system moving the carrier through the instrument where various modules perform operations on the test devices, including sealing the test devices, loading the test devices into an incubation station, incubation of the test devices, test device reading, and test device disposal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved culture medium and method for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium growth. The invention further relates to an improved mycobacterial reagent system or kit that can be used for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium.

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 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: 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 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 relates to an improved culture medium and method for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium growth. The invention further relates to an improved mycobacterial reagent system or kit that can be used for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium.