Idexx Laboratories, Inc.

Biocontrol Systems, Inc.

Ali Naqui

Mark Weston Pierson

Charles R Carpenter

David E Townsend

Andrew J Croteau

Haoyi Gu

Michael P Finnerty

Thomas R Weschler

Stephen C Wardlaw

Chun-Ming Chen

Thomas Patrick O'Connor, Jr

Erwin F Workman, Jr

Katherine Jean Esty

Andrew J Crouteau

Gary Madsen

Steven C Wardlaw

The present invention provides devices and methods for determining the presence or absence of pathogens in a biological sample and for the concurrent determination of the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens present. The devices and methods of the present invention are able to make the determinations without pre-selection of target bacteria. Instead, all organisms from the sample are applied to the device. In wells where one or more antimicrobial agents are present only pathogens resistant to the antimicrobial agent grow. This allows the user to determine the presence of target pathogens and concurrently determine the resistance patterns of the organisms without the need to subculture the organisms. The present invention also provides methods of performing a business service of performing the determinations described above, and kits containing the devices and descriptions of the methods.

Methods and devices for the detection of pathogenic microorganisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility

Methods for the detection and/or quantification of a biological material in a sample. The method includes the steps of liquefying the sample (if necessary) and pouring the liquefied sample into the incubation vessel. The incubation vessel has a generally flat horizontal surface and the surface is divided into at least one incubation site. Each incubation site is adapted to hold an aliquot of liquid and is sized and shaped, and formed of a suitable material, to hold the aliquot within the well by surface tension. Any excess liquid from the liquefied sample is poured from the surface of the incubation vessel. The method then involves incubating that incubation vessel until the presence or absence of the biological material is determined. The presence of air bubbles can be dramatically reduced by the presence of a surface acting agent in the liquid sample deposited on the device surface. Such an agent can be added to the sterile diluent used to prepare the test reagent, can be separately added to the test reagent after it is prepared, or can be added to the test sample directly while it is being prepared for testing.

Method for quantification of biological material in a sample

The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of target microorganisms in a biological sample and of simultaneously determining the susceptibility of the microorganisms to antimicrobial agents. The target microbial organisms may be urinary pathogens. The methods include the steps of providing a multicompartment assay device with at least one compartment containing a medium capable of sustaining the growth of total viable microorganisms, at least one compartment containing a medium capable of sustaining the growth of target microorganisms, and at least one compartment containing an antimicrobial susceptibility interpretation medium. A biological sample is placed in each compartment and the presence and antimicrobial susceptibility of the target microorganisms which may be present is determined by analyzing which compartments exhibit microbial growth.

Method and apparatus for concurrently detecting pathogenic organisms and antimicrobial susceptibility

Method for detection of a biological material in a sample. The method includes the steps of liquifying the sample (if necessary) and pouring the liquified sample into the incubation plate. The incubation plate has a generally flat horizontal surface and the surface is divided into a plurality of at least 20 recessed wells. Each well is adapted to hold an aliquot of liquid and is sized and shaped, and formed of a suitable material, to hold the aliquot within the well by surface tension. Any excess liquid from the liquified sample is poured from the surface of the plate. The method then involves incubating that incubation plate until the presence or absence of the biological material is determined.

Self-contained incubator for growth of microorganism

An article adapted for holding a liquid sample for quantification of biological material in the liquid sample. The article includes a bag having an upper surface sheet and a lower surface sheet enclosing a volume therebetween. The bag has an upper opening through which the liquid sample can be poured into the volume in the bag. The bag also has a plurality of partitions configured to separate one or more portions of adequate sample in the bag. Also provided is a passage through which a liquid sample can be distributed throughout the volume in the bag. The bag is made of material which can be caused to form discreet non-permeable compartments for holding separate aliquots of the liquid sample.

Method for quantification of biological material in a liquid sample

Apparatus for quantification of biological material in a liquid sample

Apparatus and method for quantification of biological material in a

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Falmouth, ME, United States of America

Ali Naqui