Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting bacteria in fluids, including blood, platelets and other blood products for transfusion, and urine. The methods are based on lysing the bacteria to release ATP and detecting the ATP. Eukaryotic cell contamination is a problem to be overcome, because eukaryotic cell contain large amounts of ATP. Thus, some of the methods involve separating intact eukaryotic cells (e.g., platelets) from intact bacterial cells before lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme that catalyzes a reaction, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Typically, the enzyme is luciferin, and the reaction is monitored by detecting light produced by the luciferin. Other methods of the invention involve contacting a fluid sample with a support surface that binds bacterial cells, lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal by passing blood removed from the body of the mammal through a passageway to contact an obstruction or irregularity in the passageway to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect the platelet mass. The flow and composition change in response to the formation of a platelet mass in the passageway. Devices, articles, and kits for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and kits for rapidly detecting tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infection in a sputum sample inexpensively and within minutes. It includes methods and kits for determining the species or phylogenetic group of mycobacterial infection. It includes methods and kits for determining the drug sensitivity of mycobacteria from a sputum sample inexpensively and within 1-3 days.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal by passing blood removed from the body of the mammal through a passageway to contact an obstruction or irregularity in the passageway to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect the platelet mass. The flow and composition change in response to the formation of a platelet mass in the passageway. Devices, articles, and kits for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting bacteria in fluids, including blood, platelets and other blood products for transfusion, and urine. The methods are based on lysing the bacteria to release ATP and detecting the ATP. Eukaryotic cell contamination is a problem to be overcome, because eukaryotic cell contain large amounts of ATP. Thus, some of the methods involve separating intact eukaryotic cells (e.g., platelets) from intact bacterial cells before lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme that catalyzes a reaction, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Typically, the enzyme is luciferin, and the reaction is monitored by detecting light produced by the luciferin. Other methods of the invention involve contacting a fluid sample with a support surface that binds bacterial cells, lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a coagulation time, e.g., thrombin time, PT, aPTT, and ACT, of a blood sample deposited in a test cartridge is disclosed. The test cartridge includes a blood receptacle that is open to the atmosphere into which a blood sample is to be deposited, a vacuum port that is open to atmosphere, and a spiral capillary within the test cartridge having a capillary length and cross-section area, a first capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the blood receptacle and a second capillary end of the spiral capillary open to the vacuum port, whereby the spiral capillary is closed to atmosphere. When a blood sample is deposited in the blood receptacle, a vacuum is drawn through the vacuum port and the blood is drawn through the spiral capillary until coagulation occurs. A pressure change is detected, and the coagulation time is measured.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring the response of platelets to a COX1 inhibitor such as aspirin. The method involves collecting platelet-containing mammalian blood treated with a COX 1 inhibitor; mixing the blood with a COX 1-dependent platelet agonist, such as arachidonic acid, monitoring extracellular ATP in the agonist-activated bl>>d to generate a measurement, and comparing the measurement to a standard value. Devices, systems, and kits for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting bacteria in fluids, including blood, platelets and other blood products for transfusion, and urine. The methods are based on lysing the bacteria to release ATP and detecting the ATP. Eukaryotic cell contamination is a problem to be overcome, because eukaryotic cell contain large amounts of ATP. Thus, some of the methods involve separating intact eukaryotic cells (e.g., platelets) from intact bacterial cells before lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme that catalyzes a reaction, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Typically, the enzyme is luciferin, and the reaction is monitored by detecting light produced by the luciferin. Other methods of the invention involve contacting a fluid sample with a support surface that binds bacterial cells, lysing the bacterial cells to release ATP, contacting the ATP with an ATP-consuming enzyme, and monitoring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring the response of platelets to a COX1 inhibitor such as aspirin. The method involves collecting platelet-containing mammalian blood treated with a COX1 inhibitor; mixing the blood with a COX1-dependent platelet agonist, such as arachidonic acid, monitoring extracellular ATP in the agonist-activated blood to generate a measurement, and comparing the measurement to a standard value. Devices, systems, and kits for carrying out the method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring platelet function in a mammal by passing blood removed from the body of the mammal through a passageway to contact an obstruction or irregularity in the passageway to generate a platelet mass in the passageway, and monitoring the flow or composition of the blood in the passageway to detect the platelet mass. The flow and composition change in response to the formation of a platelet mass in the passageway. Devices, articles, and kits for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: Blood platelets become non-functional, as measured by the renal artery adhesion assay, when held at room temperature. Such platelets can be rejuvenated by suspension in a balanced salt solution containing a pentose. The preferred pentose is D-ribose.

Abstract: D-Ribose, a buffer and an anticoagulant are added to whole blood or packed red cells to extend function in storage beyond 42 days. Methods are disclosed to rejuvenate suboptimally functional red cells. The methods are comprised of incubation of the cells at 37° C. for 10 to 60 minutes in the presence of D-ribose.

Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: Blood platelets stored in an isotonic, balanced salt solution under standard storage conditions retain function after ten days of storage when micormolar or nanomolar amounts of pentose are added to the solution. The preferred pentoses are D-Ribose, xylulose-5-phosphate and the pentose-related alcohol xylitol.

Abstract: A method and system for use in the course of extracorporeal blood flow, e.g., cardiopulmonary bypass, dialysis, and angioplasty procedures, in order to reduce or minimize inflammation, excessive bleeding, and other undesirable side effects. The system can include one or more automated blood parameter sensor modules and one or more blood parameter regulating modules. The system is particularly well suited to monitor and/or regulate blood parameters that include blood analytes (e.g., biomolecules, drugs or metabolites) as well as blood functions (e.g., clotting time, fibrinolytic activity, immune response). The system is particularly well suited for use in the management of clotting (e.g., heparing/protamine) and bleeding (e.g., aprotinin).

Abstract: Wound closure methods and apparatus are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anti-coagulating agents and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The present invention provides improved methods of creating hemostasis or control of bleeding at the site of wounds, particularly wounds created in arteries during procedures employing percutaneous access. The invention preferably includes the steps of acquiring an aliquot of a patient's blood, i.e.

Abstract: Wound closure methods and apparatus are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anti-coagulating agents and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The present invention provides improved methods of creating hemostasis or control of bleeding at the site of wounds, particularly wounds created in arteries during procedures employing percutaneous access. The invention preferably includes the steps of acquiring an aliquot of a patient's blood, i.e.

Abstract: Blood platelets stored in an isotonic, balanced salt solution under standard storage conditions retain function after ten days of storage when micormolar or nanomolar amounts of pentose are added to the solution. The preferred pentoses are D-Ribose, xylulose-5-phosphate and the pentose-related alcohol xylitol.