Abstract: A system and method for autologous normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) are disclosed. The system can include a vacuum canister, which is sized to accept donor bags of a predetermined capacity. The vacuum canister is connected to a vacuum source which applies a suction to the donor bag within the canister. The system can include a canister having a self-generated vacuum, which includes compressible sidewalls that are spring-loaded to provide negative pressure needed to collect blood from a patient without the use of a gravity-induced siphon gradient. Also disclosed are ANH systems and kits that rely on a gravity-induced siphon gradient for blood collection.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection of enteroviruses. In particular, the invention provides transgenic African green monkey kidney cell lines and buffalo green monkey kidney cell lines. The invention provides cell lines which have increased sensitivity to infection by enteroviruses in single-cell type and mixed-cell type cultures compared to other cell types which are currently used for enterovirus detection. The cells of the invention also are permissive to infection by a larger number of enteroviruses as compared to the cell type from which they were derived.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a cannula includes a rigid rod which is receivable and movable in the cannula throughout a range of operative positions in which inner and outer end portions of the rod extend longitudinally outward from the inner and outer ends of the cannula. The apparatus further includes a contact electrode which is configured to be supported on the inner end portion of the rigid rod for movement with the rigid rod through the cannula.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection of enteroviruses. In particular, the invention provides transgenic African green monkey kidney cell lines and buffalo green monkey kidney cell lines. The invention provides cell lines which have increased sensitivity to infection by enteroviruses in single-cell type and mixed-cell type cultures compared to other cell types which are currently used for enterovirus detection. The cells of the invention also are permissive to infection by a larger number of enteroviruses as compared to the cell type from which they were derived.

Abstract: An interferometer system includes an optical radiation source, an optical circulator connected between the optical radiation source and a sample location for transmitting optical radiation from the optical radiation-source to the sample location, an output of the optical circulator connected to direct optical radiation to an optical detector. Various embodiments of such a system are possible. A method of performing OCDR or OCT imaging of a sample which involves the steps of: (a) producing low coherence optical radiation; (b) directing at least some of the low coherence optical radiation through an optical circulator to the sample; (c) reflecting at least some of the low coherence optical radiation off of the sample; and (d) detecting at least some of the reflected low coherence optical radiation and producing an electrical signal corresponding thereto.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly; to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection and production of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. In particular, the invention relates to transgenic mink lung cells which show increased sensitivity to infection by influenza A, influenza B, or parainfluenza 3 viruses, or which are capable of enhanced productivity of infectious virions. The invention is suitable for use in culturing clinical influenza and parainfluenza virus isolates and for the production of influenza and parainfluenza virus for vaccine formulations, as antigen preparations for diagnostic applications, and for screening antiviral drugs.

Abstract: An interferometer system includes an optical radiation source, an optical circulator connected between the optical radiation source and a sample location for transmitting optical radiation from the optical radiation source to the sample location, an output of the optical circulator connected to direct optical radiation to an optical detector. Various embodiments of such a system are possible. A method of performing OCDR or OCT imaging of a sample which involves the steps of: (a) producing low coherence optical radiation; (b) directing at least some of the low coherence optical radiation through an optical circulator to the sample; (c) reflecting at least some of the low coherence optical radiation off of the sample; and (d) detecting at least some of the reflected low coherence optical radiation and producing an electrical signal corresponding thereto.

Abstract: A method of correcting optical coherence tomography (OCT) image data obtained from a layered media sample includes identifying at least one interface from the obtained OCT data and correcting the OCT data for distortion at the at least one interface. The OCT image data can be corrected for extrinsic distortions, such as those caused by scan geometry, as well as, intrinsic distortions, such as those caused by refraction at each interface.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system including an interferometer provides illuminating light along a first optical path to a sample and an optical delay line and collects light from the sample along a second optical path remitted at several scattering angles to a detector. In one embodiment, illuminating light is directed along a number of incident light paths through a focusing lens to a sample. The light paths and focusing lens are related to the sample and to both the incident light source and the detector. In another embodiment, a focusing system directs light to a location in the sample. A transmission grating or acousto-optic modulator directs light from the sample at an angle representative of the wavelength of the incident light on the transmission grating or acousto-optic modulator.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: A phase-referenced Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT) system includes a low-coherence optical radiation source and a reference source co-propagated to a sample arm and a reference arm. The low-coherence and reference optical radiation reflected from the reference and arms is detected by a pair of detectors, yielding OCT and reference interferometric data output signals. The reference interferometric data output signal can be used to correct the OCT interferometric to yield velocity-indicating images that are free from defects due to sample motion and/or interferometer jitter.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection and production of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. In particular, the invention relates to transgenic mink lung cells which show increased sensitivity to infection by influenza A, influenza B, or parainfluenza 3 viruses, or which are capable of enhanced productivity of infectious virions. The invention is suitable for use in culturing clinical influenza and parainfluenza virus isolates and for the production of influenza and parainfluenza virus for vaccine formulations, as antigen preparations for diagnostic applications, and for screening antiviral drugs.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of a organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of a organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection of enteroviruses. In particular, the invention provides transgenic African green monkey kidney cell lines and buffalo green monkey kidney cell lines. The invention provides cell lines which have increased sensitivity to infection by enteroviruses in single-cell type and mixed-cell type cultures compared to other cell types which are currently used for enterovirus detection. The cells of the invention also are permissive to infection by a larger number of enteroviruses as compared to the cell type from which they were derived.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of a organisms to antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The invention provides cell lines which are useful for the rapid detection and production of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. In particular, the invention relates to transgenic mink lung cells which show increased sensitivity to infection by influenza A, influenza B, or parainfluenza 3 viruses, or which are capable of enhanced productivity of infectious virions. The invention is suitable for use in culturing clinical influenza and parainfluenza virus isolates and for the production of influenza and parainfluenza virus for vaccine formulations, as antigen preparations for diagnostic applications, and for screening antiviral drugs.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly, to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of a organisms to antimicrobial agents.