Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for testing samples (e.g., biological samples, environmental samples, food samples etc.) for microbial contamination. For example, some embodiments describe an adapter assembly with a means to penetrate a septum of a collection vessel and permit gaseous communication between a headspace of the collection vessel and a sensor. In some embodiments, the gases in the headspace of the collection vessel can exit the collection vessel without contaminating the environment outside the system or allowing sample contamination. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes a membrane configured to prevent liquid in the collection vessel from contacting the sensor. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly can be used to access media inside the collection vessel for subculturing or aliquotting for another diagnostic process such as molecular diagnostics.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for rapid detection of microorganisms in biological samples (e.g. blood) for analysis to determine the presence or absence of infectious microorganisms in the samples. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a lid and a tray, a mechanism for isolating a bulk sample into multiple smaller samples, and a sensor disposed on the tray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms. The cartridge lid includes projections that, in a first position, allow for sample to distribute evenly in the cartridge tray and, in a second position, isolate the sample into multiple smaller volume samples. The apparatus and method shorten the time-to-detection of a microorganism in a sample and reduce the steps required from sample collection to microorganism detection.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for testing samples (e.g., biological samples, environmental samples, food samples etc.) for microbial contamination. For example, some embodiments describe an adapter assembly with a means to penetrate a septum of a collection vessel and permit gaseous communication between a headspace of the collection vessel and a sensor. In some embodiments, the gases in the headspace of the collection vessel can exit the collection vessel without contaminating the environment outside the system or allowing sample contamination. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly includes a membrane configured to prevent liquid in the collection vessel from contacting the sensor. In some embodiments, the adapter assembly can be used to access media inside the collection vessel for subculturing or aliquotting for another diagnostic process such as molecular diagnostics.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for rapid detection of microorganisms in biological samples (e.g. blood) for analysis to determine the presence or absence of infectious microorganisms in the samples. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a lid and a tray, a mechanism for isolating a bulk sample into multiple smaller samples, and a sensor disposed on the tray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms. The cartridge lid includes projections that, in a first position, allow for sample to distribute evenly in the cartridge tray and, in a second position, isolate the sample into multiple smaller volume samples. The apparatus and method shorten the time-to-detection of a microorganism in a sample and reduce the steps required from sample collection to microorganism detection.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for rapid detection of microorganisms in biological samples (e.g. blood) for analysis to determine the presence or absence of infectious microorganisms in the samples. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a lid and a tray, a mechanism for isolating a bulk sample into multiple smaller samples, and a sensor disposed on the tray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms. The cartridge lid includes projections that, in a first position, allow for sample to distribute evenly in the cartridge tray and, in a second position, isolate the sample into multiple smaller volume samples. The apparatus and method shorten the time-to-detection of a microorganism in a sample and reduce the steps required from sample collection to microorganism detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel 400, a vessel insert 220, and a cap element 200. The vessel 400 has a body portion 410 for receiving a biological sample. The vessel insert 220 receives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insert 220 is received in a portion 420 of the vessel 400. The cap element 200 is attached to the vessel 400 to secure the vessel insert 220 in the vessel 400. During use, the vessel insert 220 is adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portion 410 of the vessel 400 upon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert 220. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for rapid detection of microorganisms in biological samples (e.g. blood) for analysis to determine the presence or absence of infectious microorganisms in the samples. The apparatus includes a cartridge with a lid and a tray, a mechanism for isolating a bulk sample into multiple smaller samples, and a sensor disposed on the tray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms. The cartridge lid includes projections that, in a first position, allow for sample to distribute evenly in the cartridge tray and, in a second position, isolate the sample into multiple smaller volume samples. The apparatus and method shorten the time-to-detection of a microorganism in a sample and reduce the steps required from sample collection to microorganism detection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor system for monitoring metabolic activity of an anaerobic or aerobic microorganism. The present invention further relates to a sensor system that can individually and simultaneously monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels of a gas composition. Also provided is a sensor formulation for use with the sensor system of the present invention and a method of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a core and a hydrophobic coating material surrounding the core. The core comprises at least one oxygen-sensing particle. The present invention also relates to methods of detecting and monitoring oxygen in a sample using the microencapsulated oxygen-sensing particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensor system for monitoring metabolic activity of an anaerobic or aerobic microorganism. The present invention further relates to a sensor system that can individually and simultaneously monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels of a gas composition. Also provided is a sensor formulation for use with the sensor system of the present invention and a method of making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent sample container containing, preferably, a liquid bacterial growth media for detecting microbacteria and a process for detecting microbacteria using this sample container. The container is optically transparent, heat resistant, and stable during storage. The container and process provide a bacterial growth medium substantially free of contamination upon prolonged storage of preferably about one year at 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transparent sample container containing, preferably, a liquid bacterial growth media for detecting microbacteria and a process for detecting microbacteria using this sample container. The container is optically transparent, heat resistant, and stable during storage. The container and process provide a bacterial growth medium substantially free of contamination upon prolonged storage of preferably about one year at 40° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for the detection of the growth of respiring microorganisms in a sample, which comprises:(a) tris(4,7-diphenyl-10-phenanthroline)ruthenium dichloride pentahydrate;(b) a hydroxyl functional group;(c) an organosilicon polymer;(d) an organohydrogensilicon compound; and(e) a catalyst;and a method for preparing said composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of an addition curable composition having self adhesion to substrates. The addition curable composition comprises an organic polymer having on average at least 1.4 alkenyl groups per molecule, a crosslinker having on average at least 1.4 hydrosilyl groups per molecule, a platinum group metal containing catalyst, an alkoxy silicon compound and a titanium compound having Ti--O--C bonds. Another embodiment of this invention is a method of adhering the addition curable composition to a substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the composition and preparation of composite films which exhibit low oxygen and flavor/aroma transmission rates. The film comprises a silane resin coated on a plastic substrate. The silane resin is formed from the mixture of a silane solution, an acrylate, a solvent, and optionally, either an additive, water or both. This invention teaches that a variety of silane solutions and acrylates may be mixed with different solvents to achieve the desired oxygen and flavor/aroma barrier characteristics.