Abstract: A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica Borkh, apple tree named ‘MD-TAP2’ is distinguished by its attractive tree architecture, reduced need for hand pruning and training, observed tolerance to high temperatures during the growing season, fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and fruit which is harvested two weeks earlier than its seed parent.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica apple tree named ‘MD-TAP1’ is distinguished by its attractive tree architecture, reduced need for hand pruning and training, and fruit which is harvested six weeks earlier than its seed parent.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘Antietam Blush’ that is distinguished by its attractive fruit color and flavor, early harvest season that is different than its parents, and its moderate scion dwarfing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: A method for verification of the identity of a patient to which a medical treatment is to be delivered. The identity of the patient is verified and the treatment to be delivered is checked. In some embodiments, an identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In these embodiments, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for, inter alia, verification of the identity of a patient undergoing healthcare administered by a healthcare practitioner. The methods include improved record and verify methods which provide for verification of healthcare data entered into a computer and for the use of a paper verification sheet or log into which selected data from the computer is entered. Methods are also provided which incorporate timing out of preselected periods to ensure that healthcare-related tasks or actions, including, e.g., those involving patient identification, are carried out promptly. In addition, improved check sheets or logs are provided which are specifically limited in the number of healthcare parameters to be monitored. Further, an improved document carrier is provided which helps ensure that the proper documents, arranged in a desired sequence, are brought to the treatment setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: A method is provided for verification of the identity of a patient to which a medical treatment is to be delivered. The identity of the patient is verified and the treatment to be delivered is checked. In some embodiments, an identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In these embodiments, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient.

Abstract: A billing method is provided for billing for medical treatments and other services. The method includes capturing a treatment event by electronically scanning, at the time of the treatment event, a machine readable patient identifier (e.g., a bar code) carried by a patient treatment chart. The chart has entered thereon a prescribed treatment schedule. Capture of treatment event is entered into a computerized billing system along with the corresponding patient identifier. The patient treatment chart is used to validate charges entered into the system. All treatment events that are entered into the billing system for a particular patient identifier are collected and an invoice is generated for all of the collected treatment events entered into the billing system for the specific patient identifier. A method is also provided for tracking the patient treatment chart as an alerting device in checking on charge capture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for, inter alia, verification of the identity of a patient undergoing healthcare administered by a healthcare practitioner. The methods include improved record and verify methods which provide for verification of healthcare data entered into a computer and for the use of a paper verification sheet or log into which selected data from the computer is entered. Methods are also provided which incorporate timing out of preselected periods to ensure that healthcare-related tasks or actions, including, e.g., those involving patient identification, are carried out promptly. In addition, improved check sheets or logs are provided which are specifically limited in the number of healthcare parameters to be monitored. Further, an improved document carrier is provided which helps ensure that the proper documents, arranged in a desired sequence, are brought to the treatment setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: A method is provided for verification of the identification of a patient undergoing radiation treatment administered by a treatment technologist in a treatment room. An identifying card for the patient is provided which is part of the patient's treatment file and which includes an identifying optical code capable of being read by an optical reader located within the treatment room. The treatment technologist causes the identifying card of the treatment file to be read by the optical reader in the treatment room, and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient and the treatment technologist, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying card when there is a match between the identifying optical code and a stored identifying code for the patient.

Abstract: A billing method is provided for billing for medical treatments and other services. The method includes capturing a treatment event by electronically scanning, at the time of the treatment event, a machine readable patient identifier (e.g., a bar code) carried by a patient treatment chart. The chart has entered thereon a prescribed treatment schedule. Capture of treatment event is entered into a computerized billing system along with the corresponding patient identifier. The patient treatment chart is used to validate charges entered into the system. All treatment events that are entered into the billing system for a particular patient identifier are collected and an invoice is generated for all of the collected treatment events entered into the billing system for the specific patient identifier. A method is also provided for tracking the patient treatment chart as an alerting device in checking on charge capture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verification of the identity of a patient undergoing treatment administered by a medical treatment practitioner in a treatment room. An identifying element such as patient chart or patient photograph is provided for the patient which includes a patient identifier, e.g., a barcode, capable of being read by a reader device located within the treatment room. In use, the patient identifier is read by the reader device in the treatment room and a characteristic audio signal, previously assigned to the patient and known to the patient, is generated in response to the reading of the identifying element when there is a match between the patient identifier and a stored identifier for the patient. Treatment of the patient is at least temporarily withheld if any audio signal generated in response to reading of the patient identifier by the reader device is not the characteristic audio signal assigned to the patient. A special patient chart with a removable identifier can be used.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘CP 101’ that is distinguished by its attractive fruit color and flavor, early harvest season that is different than its seed parent, and its moderate scion dwarfing.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica apple tree named ‘MD-TAP1’ is distinguished by its attractive tree architecture, reduced need for hand pruning and training, and fruit which is harvested six weeks earlier than its seed parent.

Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of Malus domestica Borkh, apple tree named ‘MD-TAP2’ is distinguished by its attractive tree architecture, reduced need for hand pruning and training, observed tolerance to high temperatures during the growing season, fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and fruit which is harvested two weeks earlier than its seed parent.