Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro assay method and device that provides for detection and measurement of entities in a fluid sample that can be captured and concentrated in a unitized self-contained enclosed filter apparatus that is analyzed in an optical detection instrument for indications of the entity. It provides for analysis of biological material including cells, their enzymes, or other constituents thereof, that can be identified based on an indicator-generating means. The analysis provided for include detection of the presence of the entity, and changes in the entity over time, such as associated with growth and increasing metabolic activity with an expanding population of cells, or decreasing metabolic activity, for example, due to presence of inhibitory or toxic agents.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for collecting filterable material to perform assays on a filtration apparatus by applying negative-pressure to the inlet chamber of the filtration apparatus which is independent of negative or positive pressure applied to its fluid path. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber serves to actively aspirate fluid and promote flow into the inlet chamber via the fluid pathway. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber facilitates the use of either negative or positive-pressure based fluid-filtration approaches. Use of the invention improves the functionality and scope of applications that can be performed with enclosed filtration apparatuses.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel devices and methods for accurately measuring total ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+) in a solution (e.g., freshwater and saltwater) by spatially proximate, simultaneous and continuous quantitative measurement of solution pH and ammonia. The devices overcome prior art inaccuracies relating to non-homogeneous sampling, and to spatial, temporal and thermal sampling discontinuities. Particular embodiments provide a combination pH and ammonia measuring device, comprising: a submersible member; a submersible non-bleeding ammonia-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution ammonia concentration; a submersible non-bleeding pH-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution pH; visual ammonia and pH indicator comparison means suitable for comparative quantitative determination of solution ammonia concentration and pH.

Abstract: There is disclosed a biological indicator (BI) test utilizing oxygen sensing within a microenvironment as a means for determining the presence of viable microorganisms capable of growth, a method for biological indicator (BI) testing for determining the completeness of a sterilization cycle utilizing oxygen sensing as the means for determining the presence of viable microorganism survival, a device for determining oxygen content in a biological indicator (BI) assay vessel containing an optical oxygen sensor, and a method and device for determining antimicrobial drug resistance or sensitivity to a contaminated sample.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel devices and methods for accurately measuring total ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+) in a solution (e.g., freshwater and saltwater) by spatially proximate, simultaneous and continuous quantitative measurement of solution pH and ammonia. The devices overcome prior art inaccuracies relating to non-homogeneous sampling, and to spatial, temporal and thermal sampling discontinuities. Particular embodiments provide a combination pH and ammonia measuring device, comprising: a submersible member; a submersible non-bleeding ammonia-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution ammonia concentration; a submersible non-bleeding pH-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution pH; visual ammonia and pH indicator comparison means suitable for comparative quantitative determination of solution ammonia concentration and pH.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting and measuring volatile acidic or basic components including ammonia, ammonium, or volatile amines (compound) in a gas or liquid state fluid. Specifically, the present invention provides a PTFE-carrier solid phase indicator film having an ammonia-sensitive indicator dye embedded therein, such that the dye moiety changes color or spectral properties upon exposure to the compound to be detected.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel devices and methods for accurately measuring total ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+) in a solution (e.g., freshwater and saltwater) by spatially proximate, simultaneous and continuous quantitative measurement of solution pH and ammonia. The devices overcome prior art inaccuracies relating to non-homogeneous sampling, and to spatial, temporal and thermal sampling discontinuities. Particular embodiments provide a combination pH and ammonia measuring device, comprising: a submersible member; a submersible non-bleeding ammonia-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution ammonia concentration; a submersible non-bleeding pH-sensing portion attached to the submersible member and suitable to provide for a continuous visual indicator of solution pH; visual ammonia and pH indicator comparison means suitable for comparative quantitative determination of solution ammonia concentration and pH.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for collecting filterable material to perform assays on a filtration apparatus by applying negative-pressure to the inlet chamber of the filtration apparatus which is independent of negative or positive pressure applied to its fluid path. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber serves to actively aspirate fluid and promote flow into the inlet chamber via the fluid pathway. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber facilitates the use of either negative or positive-pressure based fluid-filtration approaches. Use of the invention improves the functionality and scope of applications that can be performed with enclosed filtration apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for the assay and determination of the concentration of organisms or other filterable constituents of a fluid test sample. The method includes the steps of exposing, processing, and analyzing a liquefied sample in a filter tray apparatus. Each filter element (FE) filters a volume of liquid from a common fluid test sample. Excess unfiltered liquid and filtrate is removed from the filter tray apparatus. Each filter element contained in the filter tray apparatus is exposed to culture medium and/or appropriate testing reagents introduced to the apparatus to generate an indicator of the filterable constituent. Final examination is conducted on the filter tray apparatus for the indication of the presence and/or absence of filtered constituents in the multiple filter elements. The presence/absence information defines the concentration of the filterable constituent in the fluid test sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro assay method and device that provides for detection and measurement of entities in a fluid sample that can be captured and concentrated in a unitized self-contained enclosed filter apparatus that is analyzed in an optical detection instrument for indications of the entity. It provides for analysis of biological material including cells, their enzymes, or other constituents thereof, that can be identified based on an indicator-generating means. The analyses provided for include detection of the presence of the entity, and changes in the entity over time, such as associated with growth and increasing metabolic activity with an expanding population of cells, or decreasing metabolic activity, for example, due to presence of inhibitory or toxic agents.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting and measuring volatile acidic or basic components including ammonia, ammonium, or volatile amines (compound) in a gas or liquid state fluid. Specifically, the present invention provides a PTFE-carrier solid phase indicator film having an ammonia-sensitive indicator dye embedded therein, such that the dye moiety changes color or spectral properties upon exposure to the compound to be detected.

Abstract: A rapid, non-invasive breath-test method and device for diagnosing the presence or absence of H. pylori in a subject without administration of isotopic tracers is described. The device consists of a highly sensitive colorimetric ammonia sensor placed in contact with sampled subject breath. The sensor is measured using appropriate reflection spectroscopy instrumentation. The breath-test method consists of measuring a basal ammonia level with the device, administering non-isotopic urea and continuing measurement of the ammonia content in a plurality of consecutive breaths. Diagnostic differences in breath ammonia are identified between H. pylori infected and uninfected individuals.

Abstract: A rapid, non-invasive breath-test method and device for diagnosing the presence or absence of H. pylori in a subject without administration of isotopic tracers is described. The device consists of a highly sensitive colorimetric ammonia sensor placed in contact with sampled subject breath. The sensor is measured using appropriate reflection spectroscopy instrumentation. The breath-test method consists of measuring a basal ammonia level with the device, administering non-isotopic urea and continuing measurement of the ammonia content in a plurality of consecutive breaths. Diagnostic differences in breath ammonia are identified between H. pylori infected and uninfected individuals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for detecting and measuring volatile acidic or basic components including ammonia, ammonium, or volatile amines (compound) in a gas or liquid state fluid. Specifically, the present invention provides a PTFE-carrier solid phase indicator film having an ammonia-sensitive indicator dye embedded therein, such that the dye moiety changes color or spectral properties upon exposure to the compound to be detected.