Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a biological sample includes a sampling device, a lysing chamber, a NASBA fluidic network, and an analytical instrument. The sampling device is configured to contain a sample containing a pathogen target sequence for SARS-CoV-2. The lysing chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with the sampling device to receive the sample. The is lysing chamber is configured to lyse the sample into a lysate. The NASBA fluidic network is configured to be in fluid communication with the lysing chamber to receive the lysate. The NASBA fluidic network includes an enzyme, a forward primer, and a reverse primer for amplifying a predetermined genetic sequence in the pathogen target sequence contained within the lysate. The forward primer has the oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 17.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a biological sample includes the steps of lysing the biological sample to form a lysate and generating an amplified lysate by performing a nucleic acid sequence-based (NASBA) amplification for a target nucleic acid sequence in the lysate in the presence of: a forward primer having the oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 13, and SEQ ID NO: 17; a reverse primer having the oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 14, and SEQ ID NO: 18; and a molecular beacon having the oligonucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 15, and SEQ ID NO: 19 and a fluorophore. The amplified lysate is exposed to an excitation source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an infection are provided. A method of detecting an infection in a patient includes subcutaneously collecting a whole blood sample in a reservoir of the sampling device. The method further includes removing the reservoir, connecting the reservoir to a sample processor, and transferring the whole blood sample from the reservoir to the sample processor for processing. The method also includes connecting the sample processor to an analytical instrument and analyzing the processed sample via the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a liquid metal and to be received in a mold housing defined by internal side and face walls. The filter has a top wall and side walls extending downwardly from the top wall, the side walls being joined together at respective corners. The side walls extend downwardly towards distal end portions. The corners of the filter have a stiffness or rigidity that is higher that the remainder of the filter for increasing the strength of the overall filter and for helping the filter to maintain its shape and integrity throughout casting. The shape of the side walls allows an easy and consistent placement of the filter in the mold housing and ensures that the filter is maintained in place.

Abstract: Filtration devices are provided with original structural features to allow a better stiffness of the same and prevent the possibility of being distorted and/or driven under the pressure of a flux of liquid metal or an alloy thereof which is passing there through. Said features may consist of a ridge portion extending the periphery of a filtration device, a rim portion provided in double-basket filtration devices, or a particular «M» shape filtration device.

Abstract: A photoactivatable fouling-resistant copolymer composed of a photoactivatable monomer and a hydrophilic monomer is disclosed. The photoactivatable monomer includes an aryl ketone derivative having one or more polar groups or alkyl groups.

Abstract: A method for preparing and resulting articles of manufacture comprising a substrate having a surface, a bulk beneath the surface, and a grafted polymer layer on the substrate surface, the substrate surface and the grafted polymer layer, in combination, constituting a modified surface having a fibrinogen adsorption of less than about 125 ng/cm2 in a fibrinogen binding assay in which the modified surface is incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C. in 70 ?g/mL fibrinogen derived from human plasma containing 1.4 ?g/mL I-125 radiolabeled fibrinogen.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to articles of manufacture, such as medical devices, having a non-fouling surface comprising a grafted polymer material. The surface resists the adhesion of biological material.

Abstract: A control pin for controlling the flow of molten metal through a down spout in a casting process is provided. The control pin comprises a body having an elongated shape, a lower portion insertable in the down spout, and a terminal end, opposite the lower portion. The body includes a central core, preferably a hollow tube or a rod of alumina or mullite; a heating element disposed around the central core, and an intermediate layer surrounding the central core and encasing the heating element, the intermediate layer being made of a solidified ceramic putty. Finally, an outer shell, preferably made of woven fiber reinforcing fabric in a matrix of ceramic, surrounds the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve coating the substrate to conceal or reduce flaws on or in the surface of the medical device or other article substrate, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: Substrates, optionally coated with an undercoating layer, having grafted there from one or more non-fouling materials are described herein. The non-fouling, polymeric material can be grafted from a variety of substrate materials, particularly polymeric substrates and/or polymeric undercoating layers. The graft-from techniques described herein can result in higher surface densities of the non-fouling material relative to graft-to formulations. Graft-from methods can be used to produce covalently tethered polymers. The compositions described herein are highly resistant protein absorption, particularly in complex media and retain a high degree of non-fouling activity over long periods of time. The compositions described herein may also demonstrate antimicrobial and/or anti-thrombogenic activity.

Abstract: Catheters and a method of preparation thereof, the catheter comprising a catheter body, a juncture hub, extension lines and connectors, the catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, an exterior surface, a tip region having a length of 10 cm measured from the distal end of the catheter body, and at least two lumen, each of the catheter body lumen having a proximal end, a distal end, a Lumen Aspect Ratio of at least 3:1, and an intraluminal surface, the distal ends of the at least two catheter body lumen being (i) non-coterminus or (ii) laser-cut, the exterior surface of the catheter body in the tip region or the intraluminal surface of the two catheter body lumen comprising a hydrophilic polymer layer having an Average Dry Thickness of at least about 50 nanometers.

Abstract: Processes are described herein for preparing medical devices and other articles having a low-fouling surface on a substrate comprising a polymeric surface. The polymeric surface material may possess a range of polymeric backbones and substituents while providing the articles with a highly efficient, biocompatible, and non-fouling surface. The processes involve treating the substrate to reduce the concentration of chemical species on the surface of or in the substrate without altering the bulk physical properties of the device or article, and thereafter forming a grafted polymer layer on the treated substrate surface.

Abstract: A control pin for controlling the flow of molten metal through a down spout in a casting process is provided. The control pin comprises a body having an elongated shape, a lower portion insertable in the down spout, and a terminal end, opposite the lower portion. The body includes a central core, preferably a hollow tube or a rod of alumina or mullite; a heating element disposed around the central core, and an intermediate layer surrounding the central core and encasing the heating element, the intermediate layer being made of a solidified ceramic putty. Finally, an outer shell, preferably made of woven fiber reinforcing fabric in a matrix of ceramic, surrounds the intermediate layer.

Abstract: Filtration devices are provided with original structural features to allow a better stiffness of the same and prevent the possibility of being distorted and/or driven under the pressure of a flux of liquid metal or an alloy thereof which is passing there through. Said features may consist of a ridge portion extending the periphery of a filtration device, a rim portion provided in double-basket filtration devices, or a particular <<M>> shape filtration device.

Abstract: Substrates, optionally coated with an undercoating, having grafted thereto one or more non-fouling materials are described herein. The non-fouling, polymeric material can be grafted to a variety of functionalized substrate materials, particularly polymeric substrates and/or polymeric undercoatings immobilized on a substrate. The compositions described herein are highly resistant protein absorption, particularly in complex media and retain a high degree of non-fouling activity over long periods of time. The compositions described herein may also demonstrate antimicrobial and/or anti-thrombogenic activity. The non-fouling material can be grafted to a functionalized substrate, or optionally from an undercoating on the substrate, preferably without significantly affecting the mechanical and/or physical properties of the substrate material.

Abstract: A method for preparing and resulting articles of manufacture comprising a substrate having a surface, a bulk beneath the surface, and a grafted polymer layer on the substrate surface, the substrate surface and the grafted polymer layer, in combination, constituting a modified surface having a fibrinogen adsorption of less than about 125 ng/cm2 in a fibrinogen binding assay in which the modified surface is incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C. in 70 ?g/mL fibrinogen derived from human plasma containing 1.4 ?g/mL I-125 radiolabeled fibrinogen.

Abstract: A receptacle for handling molten metal is provided. The receptacle has bottom and side walls and includes a refractory defining a cavity within which the molten metal is conveyed or contained. The receptacle has at least one channel extending within at least one of its walls. The channel has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connectable to a source for circulating a fluid within the channel. The outlet allows the fluid to be expelled from said channel. The channel allows, when the fluid is circulated in it, to regulate the temperature of the refractory and thereby of the metal conveyed or contained. A casting assembly and a method for casting the refractory are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to articles of manufacture, such as medical devices, having a non-fouling surface comprising a grafted polymer material. The surface resists the adhesion of biological material.

Abstract: A method for preparing and resulting articles of manufacture comprising a substrate having a surface, a bulk beneath the surface, and a grafted polymer layer on the substrate surface, the substrate surface and the grafted polymer layer, in combination, constituting a modified surface having a fibrinogen adsorption of less than about 125 ng/cm2 in a fibrinogen binding assay in which the modified surface is incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C. in 70 ?g/mL fibrinogen derived from human plasma containing 1.4 ?g/mL I-125 radiolabeled fibrinogen.