Abstract: In some aspects, automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for performing a multi-assay testing sequence can include an automated incubation assembly having a nest assembly adapted to house at least one test panel having a plurality of wells for receiving a sample comprising microorganisms originating from a clinical sample, the incubation assembly facilitating incubation of one or more test panels in order to undergo the multi-assay testing sequence; a robotic handling assembly configured to accept one or more incoming test panels and move them to and from the incubation assembly for incubation between each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence; an automated liquid handling assembly configured to exchange one or more fluids in the plurality of wells of the test panels; and an optical assembly for interrogation and readout of each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence being performed in the plurality of wells.

Abstract: In some aspects, automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for performing a multi-assay testing sequence can include an automated incubation assembly having a nest assembly adapted to house at least one test panel having a plurality of wells for receiving a sample comprising microorganisms originating from a clinical sample, the incubation assembly facilitating incubation of one or more test panels in order to undergo the multi-assay testing sequence; a robotic handling assembly configured to accept one or more incoming test panels and move them to and from the incubation assembly for incubation between each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence; an automated liquid handling assembly configured to exchange one or more fluids in the plurality of wells of the test panels; and an optical assembly for interrogation and readout of each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence being performed in the plurality of wells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, cartridges for multiplexed antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), single cartridges useful for both AST and quality control of AST, and systems and methods relating thereto.

Abstract: Carriers are provided for microbiological laboratory use, as are methods for their use. The carriers may be used to transport patient samples between laboratory stations and can be loaded into automated AST systems. In an aspect, a method of performing AST may include loading a tube comprising a patient sample onto a carrier. An AST panel may be loaded onto the carrier. The carrier may be conveyed to an automated inoculation assembly. The patient sample may be inoculated from the tube into the AST panel. The AST panel may be loaded into an automated AST system.

Abstract: An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a microorganism containing sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of microorganism containing samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.

Abstract: Carriers are provided for microbiological laboratory use, as are methods for their use. The carriers may be used to transport patient samples between laboratory stations and can be loaded into automated AST systems. In an aspect, a method of performing AST may include loading a tube comprising a patient sample onto a carrier. An AST panel may be loaded onto the carrier. The carrier may be conveyed to an automated inoculation assembly. The patient sample may be inoculated from the tube into the AST panel. The AST panel may be loaded into an automated AST system.

Abstract: An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a microorganism containing sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of microorganism containing samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods and kits for rapidly determining antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods and kits for rapidly determining antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms.

Abstract: Continuous monitoring of blood cultures using pH- (or CO2—) based detection platforms is the current clinical gold standard. Despite the ubiquity of these systems in state-of-the-art clinical microbiology laboratories, they offer slow times-to-result (TTR) because microorganism detection typically requires >109 colony forming units (CFU) to be present whereas only 1-1000 CFU are typically present in septic patient blood samples. These TTRs are further lengthened for samples collected from spoke sites in consolidated hub-and-spoke laboratory models, an increasingly common model for integrated hospital networks and reference laboratories, because sample transport time, typically >4 hours, is lost. Here we introduce new methods that allow microorganisms to be detected at <105 CFU and that enable sample incubation during courier transport from spoke collection sites to the central laboratory hub.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved antimicrobial susceptibility testing and more specifically for improved rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing of clinical samples for efficient and versatile analysis and reliable results.

Abstract: Carriers are provided for microbiological laboratory use, as are methods for their use. The carriers may be used to transport patient samples between laboratory stations and can be loaded into automated AST systems. In an aspect, a method of performing AST may include loading a tube comprising a patient sample onto a carrier. An AST panel may be loaded onto the carrier. The carrier may be conveyed to an automated inoculation assembly. The patient sample may be inoculated from the tube into the AST panel. The AST panel may be loaded into an automated AST system.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods and kits for rapidly determining antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to uniform nanostructure biosensors and methods of calibrating the response of nanostructure biosensors. The invention overcomes device to device variability that has made quantitative detection difficult. The described biosensors have uniform characteristics that allow for more reliable comparison across devices. The methods of the invention comprise normalizing the initial current rate, as measured by the nanostructure biosensor following the addition of an analyte, to device characteristics of the biosensor. The device characteristics of the biosensor which can be used to normalize the response include baseline current and transconductance, Calibration of responses allows for the generation of calibration curves for use in all devices to quantitatively detect an analyte, without the need for individual device calibration.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, cartridges for multiplexed antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), single cartridges useful for both AST and quality control of AST, and systems and methods relating thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to methods and kits for rapidly determining antimicrobial susceptibility of microorganisms.

Abstract: An improved system, method and interface for automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is disclosed which includes, in one aspect, a carrier population station comprising a workstation having a graphic user interface (GUI). The GUI accepts information from a lab technologist, including information related to a scope of testing to be performed on a microorganism containing sample. The GUI controls intelligent assignment of microorganism containing samples to test panels in a manner that maximize utilization of the test carrier by grouping together samples of similar tests scopes and advantageously testing those samples using one multiplexed test panel. Customizing workflow in accordance with test scope to facilitate parallel processing of multiple samples advantageously reduces laboratory waste, decreases test latencies, increases AST system throughput and efficiency, and thus lowers the costs to the AST lab.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel methods for microbiological sample preparation from patients that yield high quality input material for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) without the need for plate culture. Certain methods of this disclosure comprise multiple separation steps to purify microbial samples for use in ASTs.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a master cartridge for effective storage and transportation of antimicrobials, the master cartridge comprising multiple reservoir units for placing a plurality of antimicrobials at high concentration from which multiple patient cartridges could be generated for testing a plurality of biological samples, and methods for using the same.