Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting production of antibiotic-inactivating factor and for determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps, a culture of the microorganism suspected of producing inactivating factors and/or whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. The assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine production of antibiotic-inactivating factors and/or the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a microorganism produces an AmpC ?-lactamase is disclosed in which a culture of a microorganism suspected of producing a ?-lactamase that inactivates a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic is admixed with an effective amount of each of i) a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic, ii) a ?-lactamase inhibitor to which AmpC ?-lactamase is resistant, and iii) a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing amount to form an assay culture. That assay culture in maintained under appropriate culture conditions and for a time period sufficient to determine the interaction of the microorganism with the AmpC ?-lactamase resistant inhibitor and antibacterial compound, and thereby determine the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase, wherein a positive test indicates the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting production of antibiotic-inactivating factor and for determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. a culture of the microorganism suspected of producing inactivating factors and/or whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. The assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine production of antibiotic-inactivating factors and/or the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: An electrical device includes terminals encased within a housing and having distal ends connectable to two different circuit boards to provide a reliable electrical connection between the circuit boards. The first circuit board and the second circuit board are electrically connected through terminals that are embedded within the housing. Openings within the two circuit boards provide for electrical communication and continuity between the two circuit boards by a mating interference fit with the terminals. The electric contact provided by the interference fit between the terminal and the opening is dependable through extreme temperature ranges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: A permanent magnet DC motor 10 having electro-magnetic interference (EMI) suppression includes a metal motor housing 12 and a brush card assembly 34. The brush card assembly includes brushes 20 and leads 24 constructed and arranged to be coupled with a source of power to power the motor. A brush card housing 14 has a first portion 18 housing the brushes and a second portion 22, integral with the first portion, and housing the leads. A printed circuit board 26 is mounted with respect to the second portion of the housing and carries at least one electro-magnetic interference (EMI) suppression component 30 constructed and arranged to suppress EMI generated by the motor. The leads are electrically connected to the printed circuit board so that current can be provided through the printed circuit board to the brushes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using an ultrasonic medical device to reinforce bone. An ultrasonic medical device ablates a marrow in a bone to create a channel in the bone for injection of a bone supporting compound to reinforce and strengthen the bone. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is inserted through an introducer and into the bone to engage the marrow. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to provide an ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic probe to ablate the marrow. The ultrasonic probe is moved within the bone to ablate the marrow in the bone and create the channel in the bone. A bone supporting compound is injected into the channel to reinforce the bone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: A permanent magnet DC motor 10 having electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression includes a metal motor housing 12 and a brush card assembly 34. The brush card assembly includes brushes 20 and leads 24 constructed and arranged to be coupled with a source of power to power the motor. A brush card housing 14 has a first portion 18 housing the brushes and a second portion 22, integral with the first portion, and housing the leads. A printed circuit board 26 is mounted with respect to the second portion of the housing and carries at least one electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression component 30 constructed and arranged to suppress EMI generated by the motor. The leads are electrically connected to the printed circuit board so that current can be provided through the printed circuit board to the brushes.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a microorganism produces an AmpC ?-lactamase is disclosed in which a culture of a microorganism suspected of producing a ?-lactamase that inactivates a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic is admixed with an effective amount of each of i) a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic, ii) a ?-lactamase inhibitor to which AmpC ?-lactamase is resistant, and iii) a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing amount to form an assay culture. That assay culture in maintained under appropriate culture conditions and for a time period sufficient to determine the interaction of the microorganism with the AmpC ?-lactamase resistant inhibitor and antibacterial compound, and thereby determine the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase, wherein a positive test indicates the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly has provisions for emergency and nonemergency installation of oversized casing. The wellhead assembly includes a wellhead housing which has counterbore. An adapter sleeve fits within the counterbore. The adapter sleeve has an inner diameter with a profile. A casing hanger is installed during nonemergency conditions. A portion of the casing hanger seal assembly engages the inner diameter of the adapter sleeve. For an emergency when the casing hanger seal and casing hanger cannot be employed, the adapter sleeve is removed. An emergency slips is installed to support the casing. A casing hanger seal is then installed between the counterbore and casing.