Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for determining a susceptibility of a bacteria to an antibiotic are disclosed. In one aspect, a reader comprises at least one reader module configured to receive a well plate covered by a sensor array lid. Wells of the well plate contain aliquots of a sample comprising the bacteria. The wells also comprise test wells containing the antibiotic and at least one control well without the antibiotic. The reader module further comprises conductive connectors configured to contact conductive pads of the sensor array lid. One or more processors of the reader are programmed to determine the susceptibility of the bacteria to the antibiotic based on any changes in a solution characteristic of the aliquots within the test wells compared to the control well. The reader is also configured to perform certain internal quality checks when determining the susceptibility of the bacteria to the antibiotic.

Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for determining a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are disclosed. In one aspect, a system comprises a well plate, a sensor array lid configured to cover the well plate, and a reader for receiving the well plate covered by the sensor array lid. The well plate comprises wells including test wells comprising an anti-infective and at least one control well devoid of the anti-infective. Each of the wells is configured to receive and contain a sample. The sensor array lid comprises a plurality of sensor units. Each of the sensor units is configured to extend into a well of the well plate. Each of the sensor units comprises an active electrode and a reference electrode used by the reader to detect any changes in the solution characteristics within the wells to determine the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.

Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.

Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.

Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for determining a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are disclosed. In one aspect, a system comprises a well plate, a sensor array lid configured to cover the well plate, and a reader for receiving the well plate covered by the sensor array lid. The well plate comprises wells including test wells comprising an anti-infective and at least one control well devoid of the anti-infective. Each of the wells is configured to receive and contain a sample. The sensor array lid comprises a plurality of sensor units. Each of the sensor units is configured to extend into a well of the well plate. Each of the sensor units comprises an active electrode and a reference electrode used by the reader to detect any changes in the solution characteristics within the wells to determine the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for preparing an output sample of bacteria are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is disclosed comprising introducing an aliquot of a sample comprising the bacteria into a sample container such that the contained sample is in fluid communication with a reference sensor and an active sensor. The method also comprises incubating and aerating the contained sample at a flow rate of between 7.0 ?L per second per mL of the contained sample and 10.0 ?L per second per mL of the contained sample. The method further comprises monitoring a change in an ORP of the contained sample using a reader electrically coupled to the reference sensor and the active sensor and cooling the contained sample when a concentration of the bacteria in the contained sample is determined to have reached a desired or target concentration or within acceptable error margins thereof.

Abstract: Various apparatus, systems, and methods for measuring a solution characteristic of a sample comprising microorganisms are disclosed. The measured solution characteristic can be used to generate a standardized inoculum. In one embodiment, a sensor apparatus is disclosed comprising a sample container having a chamber lateral wall surrounding a chamber cavity configured receive the sample, a reference sensor fabricated as a container cap and comprising a reference electrode material and, and an active sensor made of a substrate covered in part by an active electrode layer. The active sensor can be coupled to at least part of the chamber lateral wall at a window opening defined along the chamber lateral wall. The solution characteristic can be measured using a reader configured to electrically couple to the sensor apparatus and measure the solution characteristic based on a potential difference between the active sensor and the active sensor.