Biomerieux, Inc.

Ronnie J Robinson

Christopher S Ronsick

Mark Joseph Fanning

Mark S Wilson

Stanley Michael Philipak

John D Walsh

Jones M Hyman

Lawrence E Guerra

James Clement Bishop

Bradford G Clay

Richard Scott Remes

Anthony Valentino

Thurman C Thorpe

Michael Herron

Mike Ammerman

Gary W Sommer

Ron Bergold

Andrew J Scherer

Patrick Alan Yerbic

David M Robbins

Tomasz Taubert

Christopher D Justice

Michael A Herron

Gary Sommer

Michae A Herron

A method and automated apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample is described herein. The apparatus may include one or more means for automated loading, automated transfer and/or automated unloading of a specimen container. The apparatus also includes a detection system for receiving a detection container, e.g., container or vial, containing a biological sample and culture media. The detection system may also include one or more heated sources, holding structures or racks, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent therein. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Automated microbial detection apparatus

The present invention is directed to methods and kits for separating, accumulating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms known to be present or that may be present in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises optional lysing non-microorganism cells and/or particulates that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent filtration step for isolation and/or accumulation of microorganisms. The kit of the present invention may comprise at least one filter membrane or an integrated filtration and sample transfer device for isolation and/or accumulation of microorganisms.

Methods and kits for isolating microorganisms from culture

Apparatus for automated venting and/or sampling of a specimen container having a closure sealing the interior of the specimen container from the environment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rack holding the specimen container; a venting and/or sampling device having a needle, a chamber in fluid communication with the needle and a port in fluid communication with the chamber; a robotic transfer mechanism moveable relative to the rack; a sample removal apparatus attached to the robotic transfer mechanism having gripping features for gripping the venting device. The sample removal apparatus and robotic transfer mechanism are moveable relative to the specimen container so as to automatically insert the needle of the venting device through the closure of the specimen container to thereby vent the interior of the specimen container and obtain equilibrium between the interior of the specimen container and the atmosphere and withdraw a portion of the sample from the specimen container into the venting and/or sampling device.

System and method for automatically venting and sampling a culture specimen container

The present invention is directed to a method and automated loading mechanism for loading an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Automated loading mechanism for microbial detection apparatus

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.

Combined detection instrument for culture specimen containers and instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent in a sample

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.

Device for sampling a specimen container

The present invention is directed to a method and automated unloading means for unloading a container from an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Method for automated unloading of microbial detection apparatus

Method for automated unloading of a microbial detection apparatus

An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.

System for rapid identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent in a sample

A system is disclosed for agitating multiple specimen containers each containing a sample and a growth medium. The system includes a plurality of racks. The racks have a plurality of receptacles, each of which is adapted for holding a specimen container. The racks include a first rack oriented in a first direction and a second rack oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. The system also includes a rotating turret having a frame holding the racks. The frame is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotating turret operates to rotate the racks about the axis to an access position, e.g., where a user may access the specimen containers. The system also includes an agitation assembly coupled to the racks. The agitation assembly rocks the racks back and forth thereby agitating specimen containers held by the racks. In one configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument detecting whether a microbiological agent is present in the specimen container. In another configuration, the system is incorporated into an automated instrument identifying or characterizing the microbiological agent.

System and method for agitation of multiple specimen containers

Apparatus for automated venting and/or sampling of a specimen container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rack holding the specimen container; a venting and/or sampling device having a needle, a chamber in fluid communication with the needle and a port in fluid communication with the chamber; a robotic transfer mechanism moveable relative to the rack; a sample removal apparatus attached to the robotic transfer mechanism having gripping features for gripping the venting device. The sample removal apparatus and robotic transfer mechanism are moveable relative to the specimen container so as to automatically insert the needle of the venting device through the closure of the specimen container to thereby vent the interior of the specimen container and obtain equilibrium between the interior of the specimen container and the atmosphere and withdraw a portion of the sample from the specimen container into the venting and/or sampling device.

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Ronnie J Robinson