Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Bd Kiestra B.v.

Timothy M. Wiles

Wiles, Timothy M.

Timothy M Wiles

Raphael Rodolphe Marcelpoil

Charles C Yu

Mei Yang-Woytowitz

Michael A Brasch

Brent Ronald Pohl

John D Mantlo

Martijn Kleefstra

Timothy Roy Hansen

Ming-hsiung Yeh

Dwight Livingston

Alyssa Shedlosky

Patrick Shawn Beaty

Kerry Lynn Smith

Liping Feng

Ben Turng

Edward M Skevington

Gary F Hershner

Scott Shindledecker

Eric Ursprung

Xiaofei Chang

Patrick R Murray

Michael Bois

Rick Holtz

Rick Pierpont

Michael A O'connell

Ammon David Lentz

William Alan Fox

Kevin Bailey

Brian Reuben Langhoff

Trienko Marten Van Der Kaap

Giovanni Parmigiani

Michael A O'Connell

Jennifer Singelyn

David J Turner

Curtis M Gosnell

Sean Tucker

Merlise Clyde

Bas Nieuwenhuis

Gerard Lotz

Charles Chak Cheung Yu

Vikram Patel

Ming-Hsiung Yeh

Charles Yu

A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample. The apparatus and system optionally provide for downstream processing of samples prepared for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Such apparatus includes further processing after inoculation of an AST panel for the AST test. Such further processing includes capping and transferring inoculated panels to AST instrument.

Automated method and system for obtaining and preparing microorganism sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility tests

An imaging system and method for microbial growth detection, counting or identification. One colony may be contrasted in an image that is not optimal for another type of colony. The system and method provides contrast from all available material through space (spatial differences), time (differences appearing over time for a given capture condition) and color space transformation using image input information over time to assess whether microbial growth has occurred for a given sample.

Method and system for automated microbial colony counting from streaked sample on plated media

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

Method of sample preparation for Maldi and automated system therefor

An automated method for preparing a sample suspension. The sample suspension can be used for both MALDI and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST). A suspension is prepared, and a portion of that suspension is removed for a first analysis (e.g. MALDI), leaving a remaining volume. The turbidity of the remaining volume is measured. If the turbidity is below a first threshold, the suspension is not used for a second analysis (e.g. AST) and is subjected to a concentration protocol to raise the turbidity of the suspension. If the turbidity is within a predetermined range, a volume of the suspension is calculated that will deliver a predetermined amount of sample to a vessel for the second analysis. If the turbidity of the suspension is above the predetermined range, and the suspension has not been diluted a predetermined number of times, the suspension is diluted according to a dilution protocol.

Method for direct inoculation of a broth from a source suspension

An apparatus and associated methods of use for a controlled combination of reagents is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vessel, a vessel insert, and a cap element. The vesselhas a body portionfor receiving a biological sample. The vessel insertreceives at least one reagent therein. Preferably, the vessel insertis received in a portionof the vessel. The cap elementis attached to the vesselto secure the vessel insertin the vessel. During use, the vessel insertis adapted to release its contents when the biological sample is introduced into the body portionof the vesselupon application of an intermixing force to the vessel insert. A variety of intermixing forces may be applied, depending upon the embodiment of the present invention and its associated methods of use.

Blood culture bottles with mechanisms for controlled release of substances into culture media

Method of sample preparation for maldi and automated system therefor

A system and method for developing applications (Apps) for automated assessment and analysis of processed biological samples. Such samples are obtained, combined with nutrient media and incubated. The incubated samples are imaged and the image information is classified according to predetermined criteria. The classified image information is then evaluated according to Apps derived from classified historical image information in a data base. The classified historical image information is compared with the classified image information to provide guidance on further processing of the biological sample through Apps tailored to process provide sample process guidance tailored to the classifications assigned to the image information.

Application development environment for biological sample assessment processing

Colony contrast gathering

Presented herein are methods, compositions, and kits for the detection of specific beta-lactamases, including class A serine carbapenemases, metallo-beta-lactamases, AmpC beta-lactamases, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). The methods presented herein include methods that permit the detection of the presence of specific beta-lactamases in bacterial samples within as few as 2 to 10 minutes.

Kits for the detection of beta-lactamases

A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 &#x3bc;m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Device and apparatus for collecting microbial growth from a semi-solid surface

A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample. The apparatus and system optionally provides for downstream processing of samples prepared for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Such apparatus includes further processing after inoculation of an AST panel for the AST test. Such further processing includes capping and transferring inoculated panels to AST instrument.

Growing community of inventors

Ocean Isle Beach, NC, United States of America

Timothy M Wiles