Abstract: A system and method for detecting, enumerating, or extracting microorganisms in a sample is disclosed. Target microorganisms, such as Salmonella bacteria, may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target microorganisms. After which, the bead-bound cells may be isolated. For example, a magnetic field may be applied in order to separate the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) and move then to a predetermined section of the well. Agar, or other immobilizing agent, may be added to the wells in order to immobilize the target cells. After which, the target cells are incubated and periodically analyzed to determine whether the target cells are growing, thereby indicating that the microorganisms are contained within the well.

Abstract: A system and method for opportunity-based hygiene monitoring and/or reminding is disclosed. Healthcare providers may have various opportunities to interact with a patient. As such, an opportunity-based focus in managing a healthcare environment may assist in assessing the various opportunities when interacting with the patient. For example, an opportunity-based analysis may be used for protocol compliance, such as compliance with hand hygiene protocols and/or PPE protocols. Further, infection analysis, patient care billing, staff locating, or workload analysis may be opportunity based in order to more efficiently manage the healthcare environment.

Abstract: A system and method for opportunity-based hygiene monitoring and/or reminding is disclosed. Healthcare providers may have various opportunities to interact with a patient. As such, an opportunity-based focus in managing a healthcare environment may assist in assessing the various opportunities when interacting with the patient. For example, an opportunity-based analysis may be used for protocol compliance, such as compliance with hand hygiene protocols and/or PPE protocols. Further, infection analysis, patient care billing, staff locating, or workload analysis may be opportunity based in order to more efficiently manage the healthcare environment.

Abstract: A system and method for opportunity-based hygiene monitoring and/or reminding is disclosed. Healthcare providers may have various opportunities to interact with a patient. As such, an opportunity-based focus in managing a healthcare environment may assist in assessing the various opportunities when interacting with the patient. For example, an opportunity-based analysis may be used for protocol compliance, such as compliance with hand hygiene protocols and/or PPE protocols. Further, infection analysis, patient care billing, staff locating, or workload analysis may be opportunity based in order to more efficiently manage the healthcare environment.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of cells and sorting of cells are disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or antigen-specific antibody producing circulating memory B cells from COVID-19 patients, may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the bead-bound target cells may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the bead-bound target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor may be used to detect movement of the bead-bound target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the bead-bound target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used for target cell identification and target cell sorting in order to detect and collect target cells of interest at the single-cell resolution.

Abstract: A system and method for opportunity-based hygiene monitoring and/or reminding is disclosed. Healthcare providers may have various opportunities to interact with a patient. As such, an opportunity-based focus in managing a healthcare environment may assist in assessing the various opportunities when interacting with the patient. For example, an opportunity-based analysis may be used for protocol compliance, such as compliance with hand hygiene protocols and/or PPE protocols. Further, infection analysis, patient care billing, staff locating, or workload analysis may be opportunity based in order to more efficiently manage the healthcare environment.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of cells is disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor (such as a camera) may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used in either or both of target cell identification or target cell sorting in order to detect target cells of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting hand hygiene compliance is disclosed. Hand hygiene is important in various contexts, including hospital settings, home settings, work settings, and school settings. For example, a healthcare provider may wear a wristband, which may interact with a stationary controller that is integrated with or proximate to a hand cleaning agent dispenser. The interaction may be used to determine whether the healthcare provider has complied with hand hygiene protocols. Further, the wristband may be used to train healthcare providers or others (such as children) in proper hand hygiene. Further, the wristband may be used in other contexts, such as integrating hand hygiene monitoring and access control. Also, monitoring people when performing tasks, such as hygiene tasks, cooking, and moving about, may be beneficial to those with cognitive difficulties, such as dementia.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance is disclosed. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, may be used to limit transmission of illness either from the patient to the care giver or vice-versa. Compliance with PPE is important in various contexts, including hospital settings, home settings, work settings, and school settings. For example, a healthcare provider may wear a wristband, which may interact with a stationary controller that is associated with an entrance and/or an exit to an area for the patient (such as the stationary controller integrated with or proximate to a hand cleaning agent dispenser) proximate to the entrance and/or exit. The interaction may be used to determine whether the healthcare provider has complied with PPE protocols. Further, the system may be used to train healthcare providers or others in PPE hygiene.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting hand hygiene compliance is disclosed. Hand hygiene is important in various contexts, including hospital settings, home settings, work settings, and school settings. For example, a healthcare provider may wear a wristband, which may interact with a stationary controller that is integrated with or proximate to a hand cleaning agent dispenser. The interaction may be used to determine whether the healthcare provider has complied with hand hygiene protocols. Further, the wristband may be used to train healthcare providers or others (such as children) in proper hand hygiene. Further, the wristband may be used in other contexts, such as integrating hand hygiene monitoring and access control. Also, monitoring people when performing tasks, such as hygiene tasks, cooking, and moving about, may be beneficial to those with cognitive difficulties, such as dementia.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance is disclosed. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, may be used to limit transmission of illness either from the patient to the care giver or vice-versa. Compliance with PPE is important in various contexts, including hospital settings, home settings, work settings, and school settings. For example, a healthcare provider may wear a wristband, which may interact with a stationary controller that is associated with an entrance and/or an exit to an area for the patient (such as the stationary controller integrated with or proximate to a hand cleaning agent dispenser) proximate to the entrance and/or exit. The interaction may be used to determine whether the healthcare provider has complied with PPE protocols. Further, the system may be used to train healthcare providers or others in PPE hygiene.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting hand hygiene compliance is disclosed. Hand hygiene is important in various contexts, including hospital settings, home settings, work settings, and school settings. For example, a healthcare provider may wear a wristband, which may interact with a stationary controller that is integrated with or proximate to a hand cleaning agent dispenser. The interaction may be used to determine whether the healthcare provider has complied with hand hygiene protocols. Further, the wristband may be used to train healthcare providers or others (such as children) in proper hand hygiene. Further, the wristband may be used in other contexts, such as integrating hand hygiene monitoring and access control. Also, monitoring people when performing tasks, such as hygiene tasks, cooking, and moving about, may be beneficial to those with cognitive difficulties, such as dementia.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of cells is disclosed. Target cells, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), may be of interest. Magnetic beads may be bound to the target cells. After which, the target cells (with the magnetic beads attached thereto) may be identified using an applied magnetic field. In one example, magnetic sensors may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. In another example, an optical sensor (such as a camera) may be used to detect movement of the target cells responsive to an applied magnetic field. Further, separate from identification of the target cells, the target cells may be sorted using an applied magnetic field. In this way, a magnetic field may be used in either or both of target cell identification or target cell sorting in order to detect target cells of interest.

Abstract: In a method of detecting target analytes, the target analytes are labeled with first magnetic beads and the contaminants are labeled with second magnetic beads, wherein the first magnetic beads have a first magnetic relaxation characteristic and the second magnetic beads have a second magnetic relaxation characteristic. A labeled target analyte or a labeled contaminant passes through a detection region one at a time. A magnetic field is applied to the detection region, thereby magnetizing the first magnetic beads in the labeled target analyte or the second magnetic beads in the labeled contaminant in the detection region. The magnetic field is then removed. The magnetic relaxation characteristics of the magnetized first magnetic beads or of the magnetized second magnetic beads are detected after the magnetic field is removed. A target analyte or a contaminant can be differentiated based on the detected magnetic relaxation characteristics.

Abstract: A cell analyzing and sorting apparatus includes a substrate, a detection device embedded in a substrate configured to detect cells labeled with magnetic beads, a focusing device embedded in the substrate configured to align the labeled cells with and introduce the labeled cells serially to the detection device, and a sorting device in the substrate configured to separate the labeled target cells passing through the detection device. The detection device comprises a plurality of magnetic sensing elements. Each of the magnetic sensing elements comprises a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect a magnetic characteristic of a magnetic bead labeled to a cell.