Abstract:
Stilts for walking at a raised elevation. The stilts include an elongate generally rectangular upright support board having a generally rectangular foot support block vertically adjustably secured thereto by an encompassing U-bolt including a strap connecting the threaded ends of the U-bolts. Wing nuts tighten on the strap to clamp the block to the upright in its vertically adjusted position. A flexible loop is secured to the block by the U-bolt in one form of the invention. In a second form of the invention one end of the flexible strap is secured to the block by the U-bolt and the opposite end of the strap is adjustably connected to the upright by a second generally rectangular Ubolt.
Abstract:
A device comprising a substantially horizontal telescopically arranged bench surface mounted on ladder-like supports located at each end of the bench. These ladder supports are extendable so that the bench may be raised to scaffold height. In addition these supports are hingedly attached to the bench such that the drive may be collapsed for storage or transporting. Also attached to the bench is a single ladder-like extension collapsibly mounted on a double action hinge.
Abstract:
A sampling device for a specimen container having a closure sealing the interior of the specimen container from the environment includes a needle, a body coupled to the needle and defining a chamber in fluid communication with the needle, the body further comprising a port forming an opening in the body, the port in fluid communication with the chamber. A multitude of the sampling devices may be stored in a cassette. The sampling devices may include a second chamber for separation and concentration of a microbial agent present in a sample. In this configuration second chamber is connected to the first chamber via a valve or the like.
Abstract:
A method for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample includes a step of analytical test data (e.g., obtaining intrinsic fluorescence values over a range of emission wavelengths) from the microbial agent. The analytical test data is transformed thereby minimizing strain to strain variations within an organism group. With the aid of a programmed computer, a multi-level classification algorithm coded as a set of processing instructions operates on the transformed analytic test data. The multiple levels correspond to different levels in a taxonomic hierarchy for microbial agents suspected of being in the sample.
Abstract:
A detection instrument determines whether a specimen container (e.g., blood culture bottle) is positive for presence of microbial agent growth therein. When the container is deemed positive it is made available (e.g, transferred or exposed to) to an automated instrument performing identification and/or characterization of the microbial agent. The identification and/or characterization instrument removes a portion of the sample from the specimen container and places it into a disposable separation and concentration device. The microbial agent is concentrated via optional selective lysis of non-microbial agent cellular material which may be present and centrifugation. A reading module reads the concentrated microbial agent using spectroscopic methods, e.g., measurements of intrinsic fluorescence. Such interrogation may occur while the microbial agent remains concentrated in the disposable device.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for the use of one or more identifier agents and interrogating the microorganism sample and/or said one or more identifier agents to produce measurements which characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism based on the produced measurements and/or the presence or absence of the identifier agent or a metabolized form of the identifier agent in the microorganism sample.
Abstract:
A device and method are provided for isolating and culturing microorganisms from a bulk fluid sample. The device comprises a container having therein a polymeric immobilization layer having interstitial spaces between polymer chains such as a gel matrix. The interstitial spaces are of an average size less than an average size of microorganisms to be separated from the sample and cultured. A bulk fluid sample is applied to the immobilization layer where fluid is absorbed by the layer and microorganisms remain on the surface of the layer. After culturing, microorganism colonies are readily accessible on the surface of the layer for harvest and testing. The immobilization layer may contain one or more of nutrients for microorganisms growth, lytic agents, lytic enzymes, antibiotics, antibiotic neutralizers, indicators, detergents and selective agents. An adjacent support layer may be above and/or below the immobilization layer. The immobilization layer may be in combination with a sensor layer that changes color in areas corresponding to portions of the layer having microorganisms thereon. A membrane may be embedded in the immobilization layer for enhancing microorganism visibility and facilitating microorganism harvest.
Abstract:
The invention relates to heater apparatus for controlling the temperature of the melt within the nozzle or transfer tube of a die casting machine. The apparatus employs thermostaticallycontrolled heated gases which flow into an enclosure surrounding the nozzle, maintain the nozzle within a predetermined temperature range, and are either exhausted from the enclosure or are recycled back to the heater. The enclosure includes a damper deflector and walls which are readily retractable for access to the nozzle.