Abstract: Described are packaged batter compositions, and related methods, the batter compositions being refrigerator stable in a non-pressurized package. The compositions include a fruit and/or vegetable puree and are suitable for making quick bread and/or muffins. The compositions preferably exclude gums and/or hydrocolloids.

Abstract: A high-fat flour replacement includes a fat, an emulsifier, a protein, a starch and a soluble fiber. In preferred embodiments, the high-fat flour replacement is a finely ground particulate “flour”. The high-fat flour replacement can have a macronutrient profile analogous to that of almond flour. A process for producing a high-fat flour replacement includes a step of forming an emulsion including a fat, water and an emulsifier and a step of combining the emulsion with a blend of dry ingredients to form a composition (e.g., using an extruder). The blend of dry ingredients includes a protein, a starch and a soluble fiber. In preferred embodiments, the composition is processed in an extruder to form an extruded material (e.g., in the form of pellets). The fat in the emulsion becomes trapped in the composition during extrusion. In preferred embodiments, the extruded material is then dried and milled/ground to form flour-sized particulates.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for analyzing fluid samples includes an outer casing, a slide loading mechanism disposed within the outer casing for loading fluid analysis slides, a slide ejecting mechanism disposed within the outer casing for ejecting fluid analysis slides, an evaporation cap opening mechanism disposed within the outer casing for opening an evaporation cap, an evaporation cap closing mechanism disposed within the outer casing for closing an evaporation cap, a drawer locking mechanism disposed within the outer casing for locking a drawer associated with the outer casing, a camera disposed within the outer casing, and a robot disposed within the outer casing. The robot is movable in three dimensions and has means for conducting three or more of the following operations: slide loading; slide ejecting; evaporation cap opening; evaporation cap closing; drawer locking; and camera manipulation.

Abstract: A medical apparatus for analyzing fluid samples includes an outer casing, a slide loading mechanism disposed within the outer casing for loading fluid analysis slides, a slide ejecting mechanism disposed within the outer casing for ejecting fluid analysis slides, an evaporation cap opening mechanism disposed within the outer casing for opening an evaporation cap, an evaporation cap closing mechanism disposed within the outer casing for closing an evaporation cap, a drawer locking mechanism disposed within the outer casing for locking a drawer associated with the outer casing, a camera disposed within the outer casing, and a robot disposed within the outer casing. The robot is movable in three dimensions and has means for conducting three or more of the following operations: slide loading; slide ejecting; evaporation cap opening; evaporation cap closing; drawer locking; and camera manipulation.