Abstract: A specimen analysis system includes at least one processor to receive image information that represents a respective plurality of pixels of an image of each of a plurality of testing areas to indicate the presence or absence of a test subject compound; to determine for each testing area a number of pixels that indicates either the presence or the absence of the test subject compound, if the number of pixels indicating positive for each of a plurality of testing areas equals or exceeds a first minimum threshold value indicating that the testing area is positive for either the presence or absence of the test subject compound, totaling all testing areas indicating positive for either the presence or absence of the test subject compound, and if the total number of the testing areas indicating positive for either the presence or absence of the test subject compound equals or exceeds a second minimum threshold value indicating an overall positive test result for either the presence or absence of the test subject co

Abstract: A cassette removably holds assay strips. The cassette includes a cover and a base. The base includes a first face and a second face, the second face opposed across a thickness of the base from the first face. The base has at least a first channel in the first face that extends along at least a portion of the base, the at least first channel having a width, a length and a depth, at least the width and the depth of the first channel sized to at least partially receive an assay strip therein. The cover has a first face and a second face, the second face opposed across a thickness of the cover from the first face. The cover is releasably securable to the base in at least two orientations to alternatively expose a first set of markings and a second set of markings. The first and the second set of markings are carried by at least one of the cover or the base.

Abstract: A specimen analysis system includes at least one processor to receive a set of image information that represents an image of at least a specimen validity portion of the specimen test article which includes at least one optical specimen validity marker, the color of which indicates the validity of the specimen; determine a set of color component values for one or more of a plurality of pixels of the image that are representative of the specimen validity portion of the specimen test article, the set of color component values including at least three color component values; and assess at least one specimen validity characteristic of the specimen based at least in part on each color component value of the determined set of color component values for the one or more of the plurality of pixels of the image.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assay system includes an optical imager to acquire high resolution images of assay strips (e.g., lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips) and performs image processing to identify individual assay strips and determine results for each assay strip, by quantifies the presence or absence of test signal line(s) and control signal line(s). Assay strips may be in a holder or carrier contained in a specimen container also holding a specimen. The assay system automatically logs all results and data to a database that stores a high resolution image of the original immunochromatographic assay, the values of test line(s) and control line(s), and the test result. A user interface directs an end user through operation.

Abstract: An assay system includes an optical imager to acquire high resolution images of assay strips (e.g., lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips) and performs image processing to identify individual assay strips and determine results for each assay strip, by quantifies the presence or absence of test signal line(s) and control signal line(s). Assay strips may be in a holder or carrier contained in a specimen container also holding a specimen. The assay system automatically logs all results and data to a database that stores a high resolution image of the original immunochromatographic assay, the values of test line(s) and control line(s), and the test result. A user interface directs an end user through operation.

Abstract: An assay system includes an optical imager to acquire high resolution images of assay strips (e.g., lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips) and performs image processing to identify individual assay strips and determine results for each assay strip, by quantifies the presence or absence of test signal line(s) and control signal line(s). Assay strips may be in a holder or carrier contained in a specimen container also holding a specimen. The assay system automatically logs all results and data to a database that stores a high resolution image of the original immunochromatographic assay, the values of test line(s) and control line(s), and the test result. A user interface directs an end user through operation.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides analytical methods and related kits for detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample, determining the amount of bacteria in a sample, or determining the type of bacteria in a sample. In particular, the invention relates to devices and methods suitable for the rapid detection, quantification, or identification of bacteria in a liquid sample by measuring bacterial ATP activity.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. The method may include a variety of steps including: 1) suspending the cells in a detergent-like compound, 2) isolating the washed cells by centrifugation or filtration, 3) resuspending the cells in a solution that contains a preservative, a fluorescent dye and a compound such as dequalinium which can be taken up by the cells, 4) measuring the fluorescence increase over time of the cell-dye mixture with a simple fluorometer, and 5) measuring the native fluorescence of the cells. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings. The method is especially useful when both total and viable cell counts are required such as in the brewing industry. The method can also be employed to determine the metabolic activity of cells in a sample. The apparatus, device, and/or system used for cell quantitation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, kits, and methods useful for the detection of bacteria. These agents and methods are primarily directed to a method of detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample, involving incubating the sample with an agent that binds to bacteria, such as, e.g., an agent specific for peptidoglycan or a component thereof, and then detecting bound bacteria. The invention includes lateral-flow immunoassay methods and devices for assessing the total bacterial load in a liquid sample.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, kits, and methods useful for the detection of bacteria. These agents and methods are primarily directed to a method of detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample, involving incubating the sample with an agent that binds to bacteria, such as, e.g., an agent specific for peptidoglycan or a component thereof, and then detecting bound bacteria. The invention includes lateral-flow immunoassay methods and devices for assessing the total bacterial load in a liquid sample.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, kits, and methods useful for the detection of bacteria. These agents and methods are primarily directed to a method of detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample, involving incubating the sample with an agent that binds to bacteria, such as, e.g., an agent specific for peptidoglycan or a component thereof, and then detecting bound bacteria. The invention includes lateral-flow immunoassay methods and devices for assessing the total bacterial load in a liquid sample.

Abstract: A rapid method for the quantitation of various live cell types is described. The method may include a variety of steps including: 1) suspending the cells in a detergent-like compound, 2) isolating the washed cells by centrifugation or filtration, 3) resuspending the cells in a solution that contains a preservative, a fluorescent dye and a compound such as dequalinium which can be taken up by the cells, 4) measuring the fluorescence increase over time of the cell-dye mixture with a simple fluorometer, and 5) measuring the native fluorescence of the cells. This new cell fluorescence method correlates with other methods of enumerating cells such as the standard plate count, the methylene blue method and the slide viability technique. The method is particularly useful in several applications such as: a) quantitating bacteria in milk, yogurt, cheese, meat and other foods, b) quantitating yeast cells in brewing, fermentation and bread making, c) quantitating mammalian cells in research, food and clinical settings.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, kits and methods useful for the detection of mastitis in an animal. These agents and methods are primarily directed to a method of detecting the presence of mastitis, including sub-clinical mastitis, in cows, involving incubating a sample of milk from the cow with an agent that binds to lactoferrin such as, e.g., a monoclonal antibody specific for lactoferrin, and then detecting bound lactoferrin. The invention includes lateral-flow immunoassay methods and devices for assessing the presence of lactoferrin in milk samples.

Abstract: This invention describes methods and kits for detecting and quantifying viable cells in a sample using fluorescent dyes that can be internalized predominantly by viable cells and have fluorescent properties measurably altered when bound to target components. These methods and kits provide a rapid and cost-effective means of detecting potential biological threats in the field.