Abstract: A biosafety cabinet includes one or more air filters below the work surface and a system for holding, sealing, replacing and disposing the air filters through the work access opening of the biosafety cabinet. The air filters under the work surface of the biosafety cabinet capture particulates entering the cabinet from the exterior environment and the particulates within the cabinet's work chamber. Instead of a mechanical clamp, the perimeter of the air filters are sealed using a gasket and a tape, eliminating the accumulation of the contaminants around mechanical clamps. The air filters may be accessed through the work access opening of the biosafety cabinet, packaged for disposal and removed from the biosafety cabinet without being exposed to the exterior environment. A filter cover with an adhesive surface is used to cover and lift the used, contaminated air filter within the biosafety cabinet.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet device includes one or more walls forming a housing, a work area contained within the housing, a filter in fluid communication with the work area for filtering fluid passing through and exiting the work area. The filter includes a primary filtration surface through which a majority of fluid being filtered by the filter passes. A filter removal device is configured to couple to the filter. The filter removal device includes a rigid barrier layer and one or more handling mechanisms adjoined with the rigid barrier layer and extending distal to the rigid barrier layer. When the filter removal device is securely coupled to the filter, the rigid barrier layer extends substantially across a non-peripheral portion of the primary filtration surface of the filter and allows passage of fluid from the work area through the primary filtration surface of the filter.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet device includes one or more walls forming a housing, a work area contained within the housing, a filter in fluid communication with the work area for filtering fluid passing through and exiting the work area. The filter includes a primary filtration surface through which a majority of fluid being filtered by the filter passes. A filter removal device is configured to couple to the filter. The filter removal device includes a rigid barrier layer and one or more handling mechanisms adjoined with the rigid barrier layer and extending distal to the rigid barrier layer. When the filter removal device is securely coupled to the filter, the rigid barrier layer extends substantially across a non-peripheral portion of the primary filtration surface of the filter and allows passage of fluid from the work area through the primary filtration surface of the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in a sample. The present invention provides a diagnostic method comprising modification of sequences of S. aureus by converting non-methylated cytosine residues ultimately into thymidine residues in the target nucleic acid. The invention further provides for the detection of modified sequences derived from the spa gene, the mecA gene, and the integrated SCCmec cassette of S. aureus.

Abstract: A canopy for a biological cabinet includes a plurality of openings, referred to as ports, covered by air dampers and designed to open and close as needed to reduce an overall volume of air required during normal operation. If the building exhaust system attempts to pull more air than is supplied by the cabinet, the intake dampers will open to allow room air in through the intake ports, thus helping the cabinet to maintain an acceptable level of intake airflow at its front access opening. If the building exhaust system does not pull a sufficient amount of air, the outlet damper will open and let the cabinet exhaust air escape through the outlet port, thus enabling the cabinet to maintain an acceptable level of intake airflow at its front access opening. The canopy may also include an internal air baffle that helps to capture the cabinet exhaust air and direct it out through the opening connected to the building exhaust duct.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) in a sample. The present invention provides a diagnostic method comprising modification of sequences of S. aureus by converting non-methylated cytosine residues ultimately into thymidine residues in the target nucleic acid. The invention further provides for the detection of modified sequences derived from the spa gene, the mecA gene, and the integrated SCCmec cassette of S. aureus.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet includes one or more air filters below the work surface and a system for holding, sealing, replacing and disposing the air filters through the work access opening of the biosafety cabinet. The air filters under the work surface of the biosafety cabinet capture particulates entering the cabinet from the exterior environment and the particulates within the cabinet's work chamber. Instead of a mechanical clamp, the perimeter of the air filters are sealed using a gasket and a tape, eliminating the accumulation of the contaminants around mechanical clamps. The air filters may be accessed through the work access opening of the biosafety cabinet, packaged for disposal and removed from the biosafety cabinet without being exposed to the exterior environment. A filter cover with an adhesive surface is used to cover and lift the used, contaminated air filter within the biosafety cabinet.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet includes at least one cable port disposed in a wall of the cabinet that allows small tubing and/or cables to enter the cabinet through the walls. The cable port eliminates problems associated with running the tubing and/or cables through an open door at the front of the cabinet. The cable ports enable the user to fully close the view screen door, while maintaining the ability to connect various tubes and/or cables to devices in the interior work area of the cabinet. The biosafety cabinet further includes a double wall configuration with negative pressure air space between the two walls. Air and byproducts or contaminants attempting to escape from the cabinet into the room or enter the cabinet from the outside environment is captured in the negative pressure area between the walls and transported directly to an air filter.

Abstract: A biosafety cabinet has an air bypass system. The air bypass system reduces air noise and static pressure in the biosafety cabinet, and continues a supply of air to the blower, when the view screen or door is fully closed by providing an alternate path for the air entering the cabinet. The air bypass system further includes an armrest provided on the door sill. The armrest may have perforations on the front and rear surfaces of the armrest to allow the air to travel under the armrest, through an air inlet. The air bypass system additionally blocks germicidal light generated inside the biosafety cabinet from escaping when the view screen or door is fully closed.