Abstract: Methods for improving measurements of bacterial growth, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Methods include techniques to provide for bacterial growth over time in response to changing fluid environment to aid in determining parameters such as drug resistance and drug susceptibility. In particular the methods include trapping multiple bacteria in the SMR for a time period and varying the fluid to include sequences of nutrients and antibiotics, and measuring the rate of mass change of the bacteria in response to the changes in fluid composition.

Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.

Abstract: Mass cytometry method. In one aspect, the method includes providing a sample having at least one cell type and mixing the sample with material such as nanoparticles functionalized with affinity molecules for the at least one cell type. The sample is transported through a suspended microchannel resonator to record a mass histogram and a cell count for the at least one cell type is determined from the histogram.

Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.

Abstract: Methods for improving measurements of bacterial growth, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Methods include techniques to provide for bacterial growth over time in response to changing fluid environment to aid in determining parameters such as drug resistance and drug susceptibility. In particular the methods include trapping multiple bacteria in the SMR for a time period and varying the fluid to include sequences of nutrients and antibiotics, and measuring the rate of mass change of the bacteria in response to the changes in fluid composition.

Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.

Abstract: Mass cytometry method. In one aspect, the method includes providing a sample having at least one cell type and mixing the sample with material such as nanoparticles functionalized with affinity molecules for the at least one cell type. The sample is transported through a suspended microchannel resonator to record a mass histogram and a cell count for the at least one cell type is determined from the histogram.

Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.

Abstract: An adapter for inserting into a carton containing a non-reel coil of filamentary material or wire has a shaft-receiving sleeve supported by a box structure. The adapter's structure has top, front, bottom and back walls reinforced by side gussets. The underside of the top wall, the interior of the back wall, and the top of the bottom wall of the adapter define a channel. The channel is oriented such that it may receive a shaft or rod of a wire pulling rack. The adapter may be assembled from a blank of foldable material. The adapter blank may be manufactured as a detachable element of a carton blank which is also used to construct a carton to hold a non-reel coil of filamentary material.

Abstract: An adapter for inserting into a carton containing a non-reel coil of filamentary material or wire has a shaft-receiving sleeve supported by a box structure. The adapter's box structure has top and back walls joined at right angles and reinforced by side walls. Knobs extend outwardly from the side walls and have openings therethrough. Ribs on the underside of the top wall define a channel which is aligned with the openings in the knobs. The ribs, top wall and knobs define a sleeve which is oriented such that it may receive a shaft or rod of a wire pulling rack. Alternatively, said adapter having a box structure with walls only in two perpendicular planes. At least two of said walls forming a channel extending outwardly that may receive a shaft or rod.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating the surface of a sample including a cantilever, a first tip mounted on the cantilever, and a second tip mounted on the cantilever, the first and the second tip being configured to combine to form an imaging probe and to separate to form a manipulation probe. The first and second tips are configured to form a first position characterized in that the tips combine to form an imaging tip and the first and the second tip are configured to form a second position characterized in that the tips separate to manipulate particles on a surface of a sample. The tips can be configured to form the first position when a voltage is applied across the tips, and preferable extend downwardly from the cantilever substantially perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating the surface of a sample including a cantilever, a first tip mounted on the cantilever, and a second tip mounted on the cantilever, the first and the second tip being configured to combine to form an imaging probe and to separate to form a manipulation probe. The first and second tips are configured to form a first position characterized in that the tips combine to form an imaging tip and the first and the second tip are configured to form a second position characterized in that the tips separate to manipulate particles on a surface of a sample. The tips can be configured to form the first position when a voltage is applied across the tips, and preferable extend downwardly from the cantilever substantially perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: An integrated cantilever sensor array system that accurately detects and measures the presence of target substances in various environmental conditions. The integrated cantilever sensor array system comprises a cantilever sensor measurement head, a cantilever sensor system for measuring the oscillatory properties of the cantilevers and a measurement chamber. The measurement head includes a cantilever array having at least one cantilever, a light source and a detector positioned to detect incoming light reflected by the cantilevers within the cantilever array. The cantilever sensor system measures the oscillatory properties generated by the cantilevers within the cantilever array. The system includes the cantilever array and a detection system that measures a signal related to the bending of the cantilever. In addition, optional components such as a high frequency clock, Q-Control, may be added to more accurately measure the oscillation of the cantilevers within the cantilever array.