Abstract: A system that may automatically and rapidly process blood culture bottles. Such processing includes obtaining an image of a label placed on the cylindrical surface of the blood culture bottle. The system may also determine an amount of blood sample that has been added to the blood culture bottle by comparing a sample level to pre-placed fiducial. The distance between the liquid meniscus in the blood culture bottle and fiducial may be used to determine blood volume. The imaging apparatus may also detect internal conditions of the blood culture bottle such as the presence of foam or the presence of culture media in a neck portion of the blood culture bottle. The image of the label is obtained from one or more images captured by a camera or scanner. The information on the label may be read automatically and therefore the blood culture bottles do not have to be processed manually, increasing throughput of the apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein are 4-aminoisoindoline-1,3-dione compounds having the following structure: wherein R, Ring A, and n are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a 4-aminoisoindoline-1,3-dione compound, and methods for treating or preventing disorders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positive dispense verification. In one aspect, a system has a plurality of light emitters. The light from the emitters is directed toward a plurality of light detectors across a proximately horizontal plane. The liquid dispense device is positioned above the horizontal plane of light emission from the plurality of light emitters to the plurality of light detectors such that the dispensed liquid will travel through the horizontal plane defined by the emitted light and onto the container being inoculated. Each of the plurality of detectors is coupled to an amplifier. The amplifier generates a signal in response to an interrupt in the transmission of light from the light emitters to the light detectors when the light path is disrupted by the dispense of liquid confirming the liquid was dispensed onto the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positive dispense verification. In one aspect, a system has a plurality of light emitters. The light from the emitters is directed toward a plurality of light detectors across a proximately horizontal plane. The liquid dispense device is positioned above the horizontal plane of light emission from the plurality of light emitters to the plurality of light detectors such that the dispensed liquid will travel through the horizontal plane defined by the emitted light and onto the container being inoculated. Each of the plurality of detectors is coupled to an amplifier. The amplifier generates a signal in response to an interrupt in the transmission of light from the light emitters to the light detectors when the light path is disrupted by the dispense of liquid confirming the liquid was dispensed onto the container.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the selection and dispensing of reagents onto a target testing medium in an automated laboratory environment. The system utilizes multiple carousels rotatably-mounted upon a central turntable. The position of the central turntable, as well as the rotation of each carousel is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. Multiple dispensers, each capable of storing and dispensing a particular reagent, are mounted about the circumference of each carousel. This configuration provides much higher reagent density than previously available. The testing medium is positioned at one or more loading stations. The control system directs the central turntable to a position from which a selected one of the carousels can be rotated so as to position a selected dispenser above the testing medium. The selected dispenser is then actuated to release a predetermined reagent onto the testing medium.

Abstract: An ultrasonic biometric imaging device comprising: a cover structure having an exposed outer surface, wherein at least a portion of the exposed outer surface forms a sensing surface of the ultrasonic biometric imaging device; and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers attached to an edge portion of the cover structure and configured to emit an ultrasound wave into the cover structure; the cover structure further comprising a reflection reducing layer arranged at a bottom surface of the cover structure, wherein the reflection reducing layer is configured to reduce an amplitude of ultrasonic wave reflections at the bottom surface of the cover structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positive dispense verification are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system has a plurality of light emitters. The light from the emitters is directed toward a plurality of light detectors across a proximately horizontal plane. The liquid dispense device is positioned above the horizontal plane of light emission from the plurality of light emitters to the plurality of light detectors such that the dispensed liquid will travel through the horizontal plane defined by the emitted light and onto the container being inoculated. Each of the plurality of detectors is coupled to an amplifier. The amplifier generates a signal in response to an interrupt in the transmission of light from the light emitters to the light detectors when the light path is disrupted by the dispense of liquid confirming the liquid was dispensed onto the container.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the selection and dispensing of reagents onto a target testing medium in an automated laboratory environment. The system utilizes multiple carousels rotatably-mounted upon a central turntable. The position of the central turntable, as well as the rotation of each carousel is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. Multiple dispensers, each capable of storing and dispensing a particular reagent, are mounted about the circumference of each carousel. This configuration provides much higher reagent density than previously available. The testing medium is positioned at one or more loading stations. The control system directs the central turntable to a position from which a selected one of the carousels can be rotated so as to position a selected dispenser above the testing medium. The selected dispenser is then actuated to release a predetermined reagent onto the testing medium.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the selection and dispensing of reagents onto a target testing medium in an automated laboratory environment. The system utilizes multiple carousels rotatably-mounted upon a central turntable. The position of the central turntable, as well as the rotation of each carousel is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. Multiple dispensers, each capable of storing and dispensing a particular reagent, are mounted about the circumference of each carousel. This configuration provides much higher reagent density than previously available. The testing medium is positioned at one or more loading stations. The control system directs the central turntable to a position from which a selected one of the carousels can be rotated so as to position a selected dispenser above the testing medium. The selected dispenser is then actuated to release a predetermined reagent onto the testing medium.

Abstract: An automated method for preparing a sample suspension. The sample suspension can be used for both MALDI and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). A suspension is prepared, and a portion of that suspension is removed for a first analysis (e.g. MALDI), leaving a remaining volume. The turbidity of the remaining volume is measured. If the turbidity is below a first threshold, the suspension is not used for a second analysis (e.g. AST) and is subjected to a concentration protocol to raise the turbidity of the suspension. If the turbidity is within a predetermined range, a volume of the suspension is calculated that will deliver a predetermined amount of sample to a vessel for the second analysis. If the turbidity of the suspension is above the predetermined range, and the suspension has not been diluted a predetermined number of times, the suspension is diluted according to a dilution protocol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers, one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured for obtaining a configuration of the transducers, and a plurality of parallel mixed-signal Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), each configured to be communicatively connected with the MCU and for Analogue-Digital (AD) conversion of analogue signals from the transducers to digital data and comprising a respective data storage for storing said digital data. The sensor also comprises, for each of the mixed-signal ASICs, a plurality of parallel front-end ASICs, each configured to be communicatively connected with said mixed-signal ASIC and for controlling a respective group of the transducers in accordance with the obtained configuration.

Abstract: A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample.

Abstract: An acoustic biometric imaging system for acquiring a fingerprint representation, comprising: a device member; a transmitter transducer having a first fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; drive circuitry; a receiver transducer having a second fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; receiver circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: control the drive circuitry to provide an electrical excitation signal to the transmit transducer resulting in fundamental mode oscillation of the transmit transducer with a frequency spectrum having a peak frequency being higher than the first fundamental mode resonance frequency and the second fundamental mode resonance frequency; receive, from the receiver circuitry, an electrical sensing signal indicative of an acoustic reflection signal; and determine the fingerprint representation based on the sensing signal received from the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: An acoustic biometric imaging system for acquiring a fingerprint representation, comprising: a device member; a transmitter transducer having a first fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; drive circuitry; a receiver transducer having a second fundamental mode resonance frequency, coupled to the device member; receiver circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: control the drive circuitry to provide an electrical excitation signal to the transmit transducer resulting in fundamental mode oscillation of the transmit transducer with a frequency spectrum having a peak frequency being higher than the first fundamental mode resonance frequency and the second fundamental mode resonance frequency; receive, from the receiver circuitry, an electrical sensing signal indicative of an acoustic reflection signal; and determine the fingerprint representation based on the sensing signal received from the receiver circuitry.

Abstract: A separating system (1) comprises a housing (60) sized to receive a stack of articles having at least one first article (12) stacked on top of a second article (10). The system (1) also includes a lifter (20) movable into a contact position adjacent a surface (13) on the at least one first article (12). The lifter (20) is adapted to apply a lifting force to the surface (13) to lift at least a portion of the first article (12) above the contact position. An extractor (40) moves the second article (10) away from the stack of articles after the at least one first article (12) has been lifted above the contact position by the lifter (20). The housing (60) prevents the at least one first article (12) from moving with the second article (10) when the second article (10) is moved by the extractor (40) and guides the stack of articles downward after the second article (10) is moved away.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor comprising an array of ultrasonic transducers, one microcontroller unit (MCU) configured for obtaining a configuration of the transducers, and a plurality of parallel mixed-signal Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), each configured to be communicatively connected with the MCU and for Analogue-Digital (AD) conversion of analogue signals from the transducers to digital data and comprising a respective data storage for storing said digital data. The sensor also comprises, for each of the mixed-signal ASICs, a plurality of parallel front-end ASICs, each configured to be communicatively connected with said mixed-signal ASIC and for controlling a respective group of the transducers in accordance with the obtained configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positive dispense verification are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system has a plurality of light emitters. The light from the emitters is directed toward a plurality of light detectors across a proximately horizontal plane. The liquid dispense device is positioned above the horizontal plane of light emission from the plurality of light emitters to the plurality of light detectors such that the dispensed liquid will travel through the horizontal plane defined by the emitted light and onto the container being inoculated. Each of the plurality of detectors is coupled to an amplifier. The amplifier generates a signal in response to an interrupt in the transmission of light from the light emitters to the light detectors when the light path is disrupted by the dispense of liquid confirming the liquid was dispensed onto the container.

Abstract: A trailer jack-knife prevention safety device automatically deploys over a threshold speed to physically inhibit jack-knifing of a trailer. The device includes an actuator coupled to a trailer. A trailer speed sensor is operationally coupled to the actuator for detecting a speed of the trailer. The trailer speed sensor activating the actuator to extend a pin when the trailer is traveling faster than a threshold speed and deactivates the actuator wherein the pin is retracted when the trailer is traveling slower than the threshold speed. When extended, the pin limits pivoting of the trailer relative to the vehicle to inhibit jack-knifing of the trailer.

Abstract: A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample.

Abstract: A separating system (1) comprises a housing (60) sized to receive a stack of articles having at least one first article (12) stacked on top of a second article (10). The system (1) also includes a lifter (20) movable into a contact position adjacent a surface (13) on the at least one first article (12). The lifter (20) is adapted to apply a lifting force to the surface (13) to lift at least a portion of the first article (12) above the contact position. An extractor (40) moves the second article (10) away from the stack of articles after the at least one first article (12) has been lifted above the contact position by the lifter (20). The housing (60) prevents the at least one first article (12) from moving with the second article (10) when the second article (10) is moved by the extractor (40) and guides the stack of articles downward after the second article (10) is moved away.