Cutting Edge Optronics, Inc.

Bacterioscan Ltd.

IP Specialists Ltd.

Pactiv Corporation

Trw Limited

Dana A Marshall

Theodore S McMinn

Dan Vadim Regelman

Geoffrey O Heberle

Michael A Hope

Michael W McManus

Ian J Barclay

Herbert G Koenig

Danny D Meyer

Dean W Micke

Robert W Beckmann

James T Tracey

Ted S McMinn

The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.

Cuvette assembly having chambers for containing samples to be evaluated through optical measurement

An optical measurement instrument is an integrated instrument that includes an optical cavity with a light source, a sample cuvette, and an optical sensor. The instrument can be used for taking measurements of organism concentration in one or more samples. Preferably, the instrument holds multiple, individually-loaded, independent fluid samples and determines bacteria concentration via a forward-scattering signal. The instrument can incorporate onboard incubation to promote bacterial growth in the samples such that, once a certain bacterial concentration is achieved, the higher concentration sample can be used with a mass spectrometer to identify the type of bacteria. The instrument and mass spectrometer can be a part of a network for medical diagnostic testing data where data is stored in a manner that is inherently untainted by patient identifiable information.

Laser-scatter measurement instrument for organism detection and related network

An instrument determines a concentration of bacteria in a plurality of fluid samples, and comprises a housing, a rotatable platform, a plurality of fluid containers, a light source, a sensor, and a motor. The rotatable platform is within the housing. The fluid containers are located on the rotatable platform. Each fluid container holds a corresponding one of the plurality of fluid samples, and has an input window and an output window. The light source provides an input beam for transmission into the input windows of the fluid containers and through the corresponding fluid samples. The input beam creates a forward-scatter signal associated with the concentration of bacteria. The motor rotates the rotatable platform so that the input beam sequentially passes through each fluid sample. A sensor within the housing detects the forward-scatter signal exiting from the output window associated with the fluid sample receiving the input beam.

Laser-scatter measurement instrument having carousel-based fluid sample arrangement

An optical measurement instrument is an integrated instrument that includes an optical cavity with a light source, a sample cuvette, and an optical sensor. The light source and sensor are on a bench that is on a translational or rotational mechanical platform such that optical beam can be moved to multiple sample containers. The instrument can be used for taking measurements of organism concentration in multiple samples as a production tool for microbiology. Preferably, the instrument holds multiple, individually-loaded, independent fluid samples and determines bacteria concentration via a forward-scattering signal. The instrument can incorporate onboard incubation to promote bacterial growth in the samples during the test. In another aspect, the instrument can be a part of a network for medical diagnostic testing data where data is stored in a manner that is inherently untainted by patient identifiable information.

Multi-sample laser-scatter measurement instrument with incubation feature and systems for using the same

The present invention is a pipette-filtration assembly having a main body defining a first channel, a second channel, a first valve, and a second valve. The first valve is associated with the first channel and permits flow in a first direction while substantially hindering flow in a second direction. The second valve is associated with the second channel and permits flow in the second direction while substantially hindering flow in the first direction. At least one filter is used to filter a fluid sample as the fluid sample flows in the first direction and/or the second direction. The pipette-filtration assembly is preferably disposable and includes one or two stages of integral filtration, primarily for use with an air-displacement pipetting or transfer system.

Pipette having integrated filtration assembly

A fastener includes first and second tracks. The first track includes a first profile, and the second track includes a second profile for interlocking with the first profile. The fastener extends between opposing ends. The first and second profiles at each of the opposing ends are sealed to each other using a laser. In one embodiment, the fastener is initially continuous and is subsequently divided into segments by simultaneously cutting and sealing the fastener at spaced target locations using the laser. The segments are associated with respective plastic bags. At each of the target locations, the laser directs a laser beam at the fastener such that the laser beam cuts through the first and second profiles and simultaneously seals the first and second profiles to each other on opposite sides of the cut. The seals on the opposite sides of the cut terminate respective ends of adjacent ones of the segments.

Laser for forming bags from a web of material

A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that tie external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Smart laser diode array assembly

A laser diode array assembly includes a laser diode array and a memory device integrally packaged with the array. The memory device includes operational information concerning the array. The memory device is accessible by a host external operating system which determines the manner in which the array is to be powered based on the operational information. The memory device may have the capability to be written to such that the external operating system can record in the memory device significant events such as extreme operational conditions, operational faults, and the on-time or shot-count of the array. The assembly may include sensors to which the operating system is coupled. The assembly may further include a processing means to monitor the sensors and provide real-time updates to the external operating system such that laser diode array is continuously powered in an optimal manner.

Growing community of inventors

Frontenac, MO, United States of America

Dana A Marshall