Abstract: A rotary shear valve having three-point stator seating is provided. Three contact points are predetermined between a bottom of the stator and a valve body rim and three clamping pads may also be predetermined. The three clamping pads and the three points of contact between stator and the valve body rim are corresponding and aligned when the rotary shear valve is assembled so that the clamping or compression forces on both sides of the stator directly oppose one another, thereby effectively canceling each other. In one embodiment, the stator includes three contact points on the bottom surface proximate the periphery of the stator to contact the valve rim and a gasket includes three clamping pads proximate the periphery of the gasket web to apply a compression force on the top surface of the stator above the three contact points.

Abstract: A rotary shear valve having three-point stator seating is provided. Three contact points are predetermined between a bottom of the stator and a valve body rim and three clamping pads may also be predetermined. The three clamping pads and the three points of contact between stator and the valve body rim are corresponding and aligned when the rotary shear valve is assembled so that the clamping or compression forces on both sides of the stator directly oppose one another, thereby effectively canceling each other. In one embodiment, the stator includes three contact points on the bottom surface proximate the periphery of the stator to contact the valve rim and a gasket includes three clamping pads proximate the periphery of the gasket web to apply a compression force on the top surface of the stator above the three contact points.

Abstract: A system for automatically testing a sample aliquot retained in temporary storage in environmentally controlled conditions on an automated clinical analyzer for a period of time without requiring operator intervention.

Abstract: A system for automatically testing a sample aliquot retained in temporary storage in environmentally controlled conditions on an automated clinical analyzer for a period of time without requiring operator intervention.

Abstract: A cup-like broth container comprising four mutually opposed pairs of connected sidewalls with a protruding rib formed on each of four perpendicularly opposed single sidewalls and four Y-shaped clamping ridges attached to and extending outwardly from a single one of the four sidewalls located between the four sidewalls having a protruding rib.

Abstract: A lidstock for a open sample container having a plurality of slits to form segment intersections that facilitate penetration by an aspiration probe, the segment intersections displaced from the location for penetration by the probe.

Abstract: A method for generating a vortex-like mixing action within a liquid held in a container by causing the container to move back and forth in a constant sinusoidal pattern at high speeds. Momentum forces acting upon the liquid solution cause it to generate an internal mixing motion of the liquid solution without the aid of extraneous mixing members.

Abstract: An aliquot vessel array having notched side flanges and rails of a next adjacent so that a plurality of arrays may be attached one atop another in a secure stack. Stacked aliquot vessel arrays may be simultaneously loaded into a storage unit on an automatic analyzer and automatically dispensed into a sampling track as required. The aliquot vessel array has certain handling features to ensure safe and reliable movement between the storage unit and sampling tracks.

Abstract: A method for generating a vortex-like mixing action within a liquid held in a container by causing the container to move back and forth in a constant sinusoidal pattern at high speeds. Momentum forces acting upon the liquid solution cause it to generate an internal mixing motion of the liquid solution without the aid of extraneous mixing members.

Abstract: A circular shaped rotor to facilitate automated identification testing of microorganisms in a microbiology analyzer having two circular arrays of microwells downwardly projecting from the top of the rotor connected to a recessed central region by a plurality of microchannels formed in the upper surface and connecting the recessed central portion to the second plurality of microwells; the rotor is further adapted to be rotated by a source of rotational energy and moved throughout the analyzer using troughs formed near its outer diameter.

Abstract: A microbiological test array with a plurality of microwells connected by a microchannel to a solution reservoir. Subsequent to filling the microwells, the microchannels are sealed to protect the integrity of the solution in the test microwells.

Abstract: A microbiological test array with a generally flat base having a plurality of upwardly projecting microwells connected by a microchannel to an open reservoir formed in a top surface generally parallel to the base of the test array. The reservoir has an opening to permit an inoculum-broth liquid solution to flow from the reservoir through the microchannel, to a sacrificial evaporation well having an air vent port adapted to control a vacuum filling process, and subsequently to be distributed into each of the plurality of microwells.

Abstract: An aliquot vessel array having notched side flanges and rails of a next adjacent so that a plurality of arrays may be attached one atop another in a secure stack. Stacked aliquot vessel arrays may be simultaneously loaded into a storage unit on an automatic analyzer and automatically dispensed into a sampling track as required. The aliquot vessel array has certain handling features to ensure safe and reliable movement between the storage unit and sampling tracks.

Abstract: Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.

Abstract: A random access microbiological analyzer for performing AST and ID tests on samples using on-board inventories of different AST test arrays and different ID test rotors within separate AST and ID incubation and analysis chambers.

Abstract: A random access microbiological analyzer for performing AST and ID tests on samples using on-board inventories of different AST test arrays and different ID test rotors within separate AST and ID incubation and analysis chambers.

Abstract: A cup-like broth container comprising four mutually opposed pairs of connected sidewalls with a protruding rib formed on each of four perpendicularly opposed single sidewalls and four Y-shaped clamping ridges attached to and extending outwardly from a single one of the four sidewalls located between the four sidewalls having a protruding rib.

Abstract: Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.

Abstract: A microbiological test array with a plurality of microwells connected by a microchannel to a solution reservoir. Subsequent to filling the microwells, the microchannels are sealed to protect the integrity of the solution in the test microwells.