Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems, useful, for example, for advanced detection of sepsis in a subject.

Abstract: A process for determining one of the presence, absence, or total of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) in a sample. According to the process, a biological sample containing complex matrices is obtained. The sample is first combined with a resin to adsorb complex matrices from the sample. The resin is removed from the biological sample. The sample so prepared is then analyzed by flow cytometry.

Abstract: An array of micro-chambers 220) with individual ion sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) (300) disposed therein for monitoring single cell activity in the microarray to determine the presence or absence of microorganisms in a sample (390). In addition to the presence or absence of a single cell, certain further embodiments contemplate monitoring cell behavior. Cell behavior includes the entire range of cell activity as well as cell response to changes in environmental conditions of changes in response due to the addition of sample constituents.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a microorganism in a fluid sample is disclosed. The method includes providing a fluid specimen within a specimen collection container having a sidewall defining an interior therein. The interior includes a mechanical separator adapted for separating the fluid sample into first and second phases within the specimen collection container and a sensing element capable of detecting the presence of a microorganism disposed therein. The method includes subjecting the specimen collection container to applied rotational force to isolate a concentrated microorganism region. The method also includes detecting by a sensing element the presence or absence of a microorganism within the concentrated microorganism region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems, useful, for example, for advanced detection of sepsis in a subject.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and reagents for identifying and analyzing at least one microorganism (e.g. bacteria) in a sample and reducing the background signal intensity obtained when analyzing the sample by flow cytometry. The sample is prepared by combining the sample with a background signal-reducing molecule or with a nucleic acid stain covalently linked to a quencher. A portion of the particulate matter in the sample can optionally be removed with a resin prior to staining with a nucleic acid stain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems, useful, for example, for advanced detection of sepsis in a subject.

Abstract: An earphone jack drive circuit applied in an electronic device is provided. The earphone jack drive circuit includes a mute circuit; a micro-controller including a detect pin and a control pin; a delay switch circuit including a resistance, a capacitance, an npn transistor and a first current-limiting resistance. During the plugging in or the unplugging out of the earphone, any momentary logic high of the detect pin charges the capacitance, the capacitance discharges when the detect pin is set to be logic low. For a period, the npn transistor is kept on, the connector of the npn transistor is set to be logic low, the input port of the mute circuit is set to be logic low, thereby the mute circuit is controlled to perform the mute mode during the period to eliminate the popping noises of connection and disconnection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, monitors and systems measuring lysophosphatidylcholine, its derivatives and/or procalcitonin as well as at least one clinical marker (e.g. temperature or respiration rate) and/or at least one biomarker for the early detection of sepsis in a subject.

Abstract: The power management circuit includes a sampling unit, a reference voltage unit, a comparator, and a power managing unit. The sampling unit divides an input voltage from the power supply to generate a sampling voltage. The reference voltage unit receives the input voltage and generates a reference voltage when the input voltage is larger than a predetermined value. The comparator compares the sampling voltage with the reference voltage, generates a first signal when the sampling voltage is larger than the reference voltage, and generates a second signal when the sampling voltage is smaller than the reference voltage. The power managing unit establishes an electrical connection between the power supply and the load according to the first signal, and cuts off the electrical connection between the power supply and the load according to the second signal. A related electronic device is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of the invention include the isolation of intact, viable microorganism(s) from positive blood culture (“PBC”) samples for use in downstream analyses such as identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (“AST”). The methods involve collecting a portion of the PBC sample, adding a choline-containing solution, lysing the blood cells, isolating the viable microorganism, and performing downstream analysis of the isolated, viable microorganism. The methods can be applied to a variety of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and/or yeast, and particularly to strains of S. pneumoniae.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a power supply, a load, and a switch circuit controlling the power supply. The switch circuit includes a control unit and a key switch capable of establishing an electrical connection between the power supply and the control unit in response to an operation by a user. When the key switch establishes the electrical connection, the control unit receives a supply voltage from the power supply and is charged-up by the supply voltage to generate a first control signal, the first control signal enables the power supply to power the load.

Abstract: A voltage stabilizing circuit includes an input terminal that receives an external input voltage, a three terminal voltage regulator including an input pin and an output pin; and a voltage reduction unit. The voltage reduction unit reduces the external input voltage and outputs the reduced external input voltage to the input pin. The three terminal voltage regulator regulates the reduced external input voltage to a stabilized supply voltage, and outputs the stabilized supply voltage through the output pin for powering a load.

Abstract: A power circuit includes a power input port, a power output port, and a three-terminal regulator. A voltage regulating circuit and a charge/discharge circuit are connected to the power output port. The three-terminal regulator detects a voltage value of the output port and enables the input port if the detected voltage value is less than a predetermined voltage value and disables the input port if the detected voltage value is not less than the predetermined value. If the input port of the three-terminal regulator is enabled, the charge/discharge circuit is charged by the current provided by a power supply connected to the power input port. If the input port of the three-terminal regulator is disabled, the charge/discharge circuit discharges to an electronic device connected to the power output port with the voltage regulating circuit.

Abstract: An exemplary charge indicator circuit indicates the state of charge of a battery. The charge indicator circuit includes a connection jack, an indicator module, a voltage detection module, a charger IC, and a path connection module. The indicator module includes an indicator. The indicator is on when the battery is being charged. The voltage detection module is to output a first response signal when the connection jack is connected to the power supply. The charger IC is to manage the charging of the battery, and output a low level signal when a condition of the battery is satisfied. The path connection module is in a shunt circuit of the indicator module, and enables the shunt circuit of the indicator module to cause the indicator to be on when the voltage detection module outputs the first response signal and the charger IC outputs the low level signal.

Abstract: An earphone jack drive circuit applied in an electronic device is provided. The earphone jack drive circuit includes a mute circuit; a micro-controller including a detect pin and a control pin; a delay switch circuit including a resistance, a capacitance, an npn transistor and a first current-limiting resistance. During the plugging in or the unplugging out of the earphone, any momentary logic high of the detect pin charges the capacitance, the capacitance discharges when the detect pin is set to be logic low. For a period, the npn transistor is kept on, the connector of the npn transistor is set to be logic low, the input port of the mute circuit is set to be logic low, thereby the mute circuit is controlled to perform the mute mode during the period to eliminate the popping noises of connection and disconnection.

Abstract: A device is used for measuring an output voltage of a battery. The device includes a detecting circuit, an encoding circuit, a control circuit, and a processing circuit. The detecting circuit is configured for detecting the output voltage of the battery and generating a first signal, a second signal, and a third signal accordingly. The encoding circuit is configured for generating a first code and a second code according to the first signal and the second signal. The control unit is configured for modifying the second code when the third signal indicates that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined value. The processing unit is configured for generating and outputting display control signals according to the first and second codes. The display control signals are used to control a display panel to display information of the output voltage of the battery.

Abstract: An exemplary reset circuit includes a first connection jack connected to a first power supply, a second connection jack connected to a second power supply, a reset IC, a voltage response module, and a control module. The voltage response module outputs a first response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is abnormal, and then the control module outputs a first voltage which is less than the voltage provided by the first power supply. The voltage response module outputs a second response signal when the voltage provided by the second power supply is normal, and then the control module outputs a second voltage which is equal to the voltage provided by the first power supply. When the voltage received by the reset IC is changed from the first voltage to the second voltage, the reset IC outputs a reset signal to reset the processing IC.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes a rectifier circuit, a converter, a detecting unit, a control unit, a switching unit, and a protection unit. The rectifier circuit is used for rectifying an input voltage into a first direct current voltage. The converter is configured for generating a first current according to the first direct current voltage. The detecting unit is used for generating a detected voltage according to the first current. The control unit is configured for generating a control signal. The switching unit is used for enabling the converter, and conducting the first current to the detecting unit when receiving the control signal. The protection unit is configured for shunting the first current with the detecting unit when the first current becomes a large current surge. The control unit stops generating the control signal when determining that the detected voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An exemplary power supply system is used to provide one or more operation voltages to a plurality of loads individually. The power supply system includes a timing circuit configured to control a starting time that the corresponding loads start to receive their corresponding operation voltages. The timing circuit includes a first capacitor arranged to be charged by the corresponding DC voltage, and the starting time is determined according to a charging characteristic of the first capacitor.