3459 results about "Staining" patented technology

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses. Inoculation of female pigs with a composition including an immunogen from PCV-2 or an epitope of interest from such an immunogen or with a vector expressing such an immunogen or epitope of interest prior to breeding, such as within the first five weeks of life, or prior to the perinatal period, or repeatedly over a lifetime, or during pregnancy, such as between the 6th and 8th and / or the 10th and 13th weeks of gestation, can prevent myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2. In addition, innoculation of male and / or female pigs with the aforementioned compositions can be carried out to prevent transmission of PCV-2 from male to female (or vice versa) during mating. Thus, the invention involves methods and compositions for preventing myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2.

A compact device for operatively coupling a solid planar substrate, for example a glass slide, to a microfluidic circuit and performing a reaction or reactions on organic matter bound to the face of the planar substrate. Typical reactions include binding, staining and / or labeling reactions. In use, a sealed reaction chamber is formed, the chamber enclosing the organic matter and at least a part of the solid substrate. Headspace in the sealed chamber between the solid substrate is generally of microfluidic dimensions, and diaphragm pump members are used to inject, exchange and / or mix the fluids in the chamber.

A multi-channel apparatus for classifying particles according to one or more particle characteristics. The apparatus comprises a plurality of flow cytometry units, each of which is operable to classify particles in a mixture of particles by interrogating a stream of fluid containing the particles with a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The flow cytometry units share an integrated platform comprising at least one of the following: (1) a common supply of particles; (2) a common housing; (3) a common processor for controlling operation of the units; (4) a common processor for receiving and processing information from the units; and (5) a common fluid delivery system. The integrated platform can include a common source of electromagnetic radiation. A method of the invention comprises using a plurality of flow cytometry units sharing the integrated platform to perform a flow kilometric operation, such as analyzing or sorting particles.

The present invention relates to a new method for reversible staining and functional isolation or characterization of cells, e.g. antigen-specific T cells. With this technique, the original functional status of cells can be substantially maintained after their identification and purification. Thus, this new method is of broad benefit for basic research and clinical applications.

Methods of using dyes and associated technology are provided. A dye, such as a monomeric dye or a dimeric dye, may be used in a nucleic acid gel staining application and / or a nucleic acid detection application. Such a dye and a salt that comprises an anion that is associated with a strong acid and a cation that is associated with a strong base may be used in such an application. A dimeric dye, such as a dimeric dye capable of forming a hairpin-like structure, may be used to stain and / or detect nucleic acids via a release-on-demand mechanism. A dimeric dye having low background fluorescence in the absence of nucleic acids and high fluorescence in the presence of nucleic acids, upon binding therewith, may be used to stain and / or detect nucleic acids.

Disclosed are oral care compositions comprising selected surface-active organophosphate compounds and methods of use to provide protection of teeth from erosion caused by the action of chemicals, such as harsh abrasives and acids. The surface-active organophosphate compounds are substantive to teeth, the phosphate groups binding the calcium in teeth and thus preventing loss of calcium from dissolution when contacted with acids. The organophosphate compound may also deposit a protective surface coating that prevents contact of teeth with erosive challenges. Selected organophosphate compounds contain one or more phosphate groups and are combined in the oral care composition with one or more of a fluoride ion agent, an antimicrobial agent preferably selected from quaternary ammonium compounds and polyvalent metal salts, an anticalculus agent and additional surfactant, to provide benefits including superior anti-erosion, anticaries, antiplaque and anti-staining as demonstrated by enhanced fluoride uptake, remineralization, resistance to acid demineralization and antimicrobial activities, resulting in improved overall tooth health, structural integrity and appearance.

An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to by physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.

The present invention relates to a new method for reversible staining and functional isolation or characterization of cells, e.g. antigen-specific T cells. With this technique, the original functional status of cells can be substantially maintained after their identification and purification. Thus, this new method is of broad benefit for basic research and clinical applications.

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is a recently identified agent wherein the potential spectrum of PCV-2-associated disease has been expanded by evidence of vertical and sexual transmission and associated reproductive failure in swine populations. PCV-2 was isolated from a litter of aborted piglets from a farm experiencing late term abortions and stillbirths. Severe, diffuse myocarditis was present in one piglet associated with extensive immunohistochemical staining for PCV-2 antigen. Variable amounts of PCV-2 antigen were also present in liver, lung and kidney of multiple fetuses. Inoculation of female pigs with a composition including an immunogen from PCV-2 or an epitope of interest from such an immunogen or with a vector expressing such an immunogen or epitope of interest prior to breeding, such as within the first five weeks of life, or prior to the perinatal period, or repeatedly over a lifetime, or during pregnancy, such as between the 6and 8and / or the 10and 13weeks of gestation, can lower viral titer, prevent myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2. In addition, innoculation of male and / or female pigs with the aforementioned compositions can be carried out to prevent transmission of PCV-2 from male to female (or vice versa) during mating. Thus, the invention involves methods and compositions for preventing myocarditis, abortion and intrauterine infection associated with porcine circovirus-2.

A method for counting blood cells in a sample of whole blood. The method comprises the steps of:(a) providing a sample of whole blood;(b) depositing the sample of whole blood onto a slide, e.g., a microscope slide;(c) employing a spreader to create a blood smear;(d) allowing the blood smear to dry on the slide;(e) measuring absorption or reflectance of light attributable to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells in the blood smear on the slide;(f) recording a magnified two-dimensional digital image of the area of analysis identified by the measurement in step (e) as being of suitable thickness for analysis; and(g) collecting, analyzing, and storing data from the magnified two-dimensional digital image.Optionally, steps of fixing and staining of blood cells on the slide can be employed in the method.

Feature analysis on consecutive tissue sections (FACTS) includes obtaining a plurality of consecutive tissue sections from a tissue sample, staining the sections with at least one biomarker, obtaining a digital image thereof, and identifying one or more regions of interest within a middle of the consecutive tissue sections. The digital images of the consecutive tissue sections are registered for alignment and the one or more regions of interest are transferred from the image of the middle section to the images of the adjacent sections. Each image of the consecutive tissue sections is then analyzed and scored as appropriate. Using FACTS methods, pathologist time for annotation is reduced to a single slide. Optionally, multiple middle sections may be annotated for regions of interest and transferred accordingly.

This invention relates to methods of analyzing a tissue sample from a subject. In particular, the invention combines morphological staining and / or immunohistochemistry (IHC) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) within the same section of a tissue sample. The analysis can be automated or manual. The invention also relates to kits for use in the above methods.

A solution for preservation and / or storage of a cell or tissue is described. This simple nonaqueous composition can have 10% polyethylene glycol and 90% methanol. It can be used at room temperature. Special chemicals, equipment, and techniques are not needed. Tissue preserved with and / or stored in the solution can be processed for cytology or histology, including chemical staining and / or antibody binding, by a variety of methods; antigen, DNA, and RNA can be extracted from processed tissue in high yield and with minimal or no degradation. Advantages of the solution include: economy and safety, easy access to archival material, and compatibility with both cellular and genetic analyses. The use and manufacture of the solution are also described.

A method and system analyzing tissue or cell samples stored on laboratory slides or other media to identify properties of medical predictive and diagnostic relevance. The method and system includes automatically analyzing plural digital images created from plural biological tissue samples to which a staining reagent or a an immunohistochemical (IHC) compound has been applied, automatically quantitatively analyzing the relevant properties of the digital images, and creating interpretive data, images and reports resulting from such analysis.

An automatic method for analyzing nucleated bone marrow cells comprising partitioning one sample of bone marrow fluid with two samples, one sample being treated with a first lysing agent and a first staining solution and the other sample being treated with a second lysing agent and a second staining solution; and measuring each samples in a flow cytometer using a scattered light and fluoresence which enables to classify and count leukocytes, erythroid cells and lipid particles, as well as mature myeloid cells, lymphoid cells and immature myeloid cells, and to calculate the number of myeloid cells as well as the ratio of myeloid cells and erythroid cells.

This invention relates to methods of analyzing a tissue sample from a subject. In particular, the invention combines morphological staining and / or immunohistochemistry (IHC) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) within the same section of a tissue sample. The analysis can be automated or manual. The invention also relates to kits for use in the above methods.

There is provided a method for classifying and counting leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount, which comprises: (1) a step of staining cells in a sample obtained from a hematological sample by treatment with a hemolytic agent to lyse erythrocytes, with a fluorescent dye which can make a difference in the fluorescence intensity at least among mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes; (2) a step of introducing the sample containing the stained cells into a flow cytometer to measure scattered light and fluorescence of the respective cells; (3) a step of classifying leukocytes and coincidence cells / platelet clumps utilizing a difference in the intensity of a scattered light peak and a difference in the scattered light width; (4) a step of classifying and counting mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes, utilizing a difference in the scattered light intensity and a difference in the fluorescence intensity of leukocytes classified in the step (3).

A method for generating a brightfield type image, which resembles a brightfield staining protocol of a biological sample, using fluorescent images is provided. The steps comprise acquiring two or more fluorescent images of a fixed area on a biological sample, mapping said fluorescent image into a brightfield color space, and generating a bright field image. Also provided is an image analysis system for generating a brightfield type image of a biological sample using fluorescent images.

The CAP-PAP Test is a double-staining, single-slide microscopic method. An in vitro diagnostic medical device for manual and automatic staining and interpreting of the Pap smear for cervical cancer screening, cervical dysplasia and for follow-up therapy can be developed using this double-staining, single-slide microscopic method. Abnormal cervical cells are labeled with an intracellular acid phosphatase derived pigment (azo-dye) to improve visibility of abnormal cervical cells on conventionally stained Pap smears. The enzyme marker improves human perception and / or sensitivity of automatic instruments when distinguishing cell a abnormality and interpretation of Pap smears. Increased accuracy of CAP-PAP-vs-Pap test is expected to reduce false negative readings of the conventional Pap test. A rapid manual version of the test that is low cost, does not require additional personnel training and is instantly applicable in all cytopathology laboratories is provided. The invention further provides a diagnostic kit, an automatic stainer and an automatic evaluation device for performing the double-staining, single-slide microscopic method.

The invention discloses an automatic tin staining device for a connection line, which comprises a conveying mechanism, a tin furnace and a controller. The controller is used for coordinating the work of a pneumatic or / and electric device; the conveying mechanism is provided with a fixed guide rail mechanism matched with a connection line fixing mechanism, a connection line drive mechanism and a movable guide rail mechanism smoothly connected with the fixed guide rail mechanism; the movable guide rail mechanism is movably connected with a frame and is in transmission connection with a turning mechanism; and the tin furnace is movably arranged on the frame at one side of the movable guide rail mechanism. When the connection line fixed mechanism is moved to a tin staining position during the work, the movable guide rail is turned by the movable guide rail turning mechanism, so that the connection line on the connection line fixed mechanism is reset after being contacted with soldering tin in the tin furnace. The automatic tin staining device is simple in structure, and can accurately control the tin staining length through properly controlling the liquid surface of the soldering tin; simultaneously, the staining of the tin is automatically controlled, so that the efficiency of the staining of the tin can be improved, the low efficiency of the manual staining of the tin is avoided so as not to easily cause scalding phenomenon.

The invention provides an automated method of single cell image analysis which determines cell population statistic, applicable in the field of pathology, disease or cancer diagnosis, in a greatly improved manner over manual or prior art scoring techniques. By combining the scientific advantages of computerized automation and the invented method, as well as the greatly increased speed with which population can be evaluated, the invention is a major improvement over methods currently available. The single cells are identified and displayed in an easy to read format on the computer monitor, printer output or other display means, with cell parameter such as cell size and staining distribution at a glance. These output data is an objective transformation of the subjective visible image that the pathologist or scientist relies upon for diagnosis, prognosis, or monitoring therapeutic perturbations. Using our novel proposed technology, we combine the advantages provided by the clinical standard tool of flow cytometry in quantifying single cells and also retain the advantages of microscopy in retaining the capability of visualizing the immunoreactive cells. Unlike flow cytometry however, the invention uses commonly available formalin fixed immunostained tissue and not fresh viable cells. To accomplish this aim, we resort to new and improved advanced image analysis using a unique, useful, and adaptive process as described herein. The method uses multi-stage thresholding and segmentation algorithm based on multiple color channels in RGB and HS I spaces and uses auto-thresholding on red and blue channels in RGB to get the raw working image of all cells, then refines the working image with thresholding on hue and intensity channels in HS I using an adaptive parameter epsilon in entropy mode, and further separates different groups of cells within the same class, by auto-thresholding within the working image region. The Immunohistochemistry Flow cytometry (IHCFLOW) combination results in a new paradigm that is both useful, novel, and provides objective tangible result from a complex color image of tissue.

The invention concerns reagent delivery system for an apparatus for processing of biological samples arranged on microscope slides, comprising a reagent section having one or more reagent containers; a slide section in which at least one microscope slide is arranged; a probe for dispensing a portion of reagent onto a predetermined microscope slide, and means for handling the probe. The probe comprises a continuous prove tubing element extending through a rigid probe member and connecting the probe tip to a pneumatic pressure regulation device. The reagent containers are adapted for cooperation with the probe tip. In this manner a high though-put and a very low carry over of fluid residues is achieved since there is no assembled parts making up the inside volume of the probe in which the fluid may be retained.

Devices, compositions, and methods for handling, separating, packaging, and utilization of spermatozoa (1) that can be derived from previously frozen sperm samples collected from a male mammal. Specifically, techniques to uniformity stain (2) spermatozoal DNA even when derived from previously frozen sperm and separation techniques to separate and isolate spermatozoa even when derived from previously frozen sperm samples into X-chromosome bearing and Y-chromosome bearing populations having high purity.

A biological fluid analysis system and method for measuring optical characteristics of a sample of biological fluid using a commercially available portable computing device having a camera, such as a smart phone. The system includes a scope, a case that attaches to the portable computing device, and a software application that runs on the portable computing device. Some embodiments of the invention include a sample slide having a viewing chamber that can be filled with a biological fluid to be analyzed by the biological fluid analysis system. The system may be adapted to analyze cow's milk to estimate the number of somatic cells per unit volume contained in the milk using a reagent that stains the somatic cells so that they will fluoresce when excited by light with a particular wavelength, with the light source in the scope being adapted to generate light of that particular wavelength.

Provided herein are systems and computer-implemented methods for quantitative analyses of tissue sections (including, histopathology samples, such as immunohistochemically labeled or H&E stained tissue sections), involving automatic unsupervised segmentation of image(s) of the tissue section(s), measurement of multiple features for individual nuclei within the image(s), clustering of nuclei based on extracted features, and / or analysis of the spatial arrangement and organization of features in the image based on spatial statistics. Also provided are computer-readable media containing instructions to perform operations to carry out such methods. A quantitative image analysis pipeline for tumor purity estimation is also described

An automated laboratory slide management and interpretation system and method in which slides are stained and then digitally imaged and the images are interpreted prior to referral to a diagnostician or placement in storage. The interpretation of the images involves the application of pattern recognition principles to compare the digitized images to known sample patterns from a variety of sources. Additionally, based on the results of the interpretation, the slide may undergo additional testing or staining, and additional samples may be prepared and tested. The specimens may be delivered to the diagnostician along with a tentative diagnosis.

Systems and methods providing for the introduction of a dye, particularly a xanthene dye, and more particularly a rhodamine dye, to liquid anhydrous ammonia to discourage theft of the anhydrous ammonia and provide for leak detection in storage vessels. The dye will stain objects which come into contact with the liquid anhydrous ammonia allowing for the detection of such contact. Generally, the staining will be visible to the naked eye, but may also fluoresce when exposed to a particular light source such as ultra violet (UV) light.

The invention is directed to methods for producing a granular nitrogen fertilizer from an organic material comprising adding a metallic salt to said organic material to form a slurry. Preferably the organic material comprises dewatered biosolids and contains water from a scrubber. Metallic salts that can be used comprise a salt of iron, zinc, or a mixture thereof. Preferred iron salts comprises ferric sulfate or ferric oxide, and preferred zinc salts comprises zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Preferably, the metallic salt is mixed with an acid such as sulfuric acid to form an acidified metal salt. Slurry pH ranges from approximately 2-2.5. The acidified metal salt is added to the organic material in sufficient quantity to lower viscosity of the slurry such that the resulting fluid does not hinder fluid flow during operation. When the metallic salt comprises acidified ferric sulfate or ferrous sulfate, sufficient iron can be present to produce a fertilizer product with 0.1 weight percent to 10 weight percent iron sulfate calculated on a dry weight basis. The invention is also directed to fertilizer products made by the methods of the invention. Preferred products are granules and the metallic salt increases product hardness. Fertilizer granules preferably contain metal that is bioavailable to a plant when used as a fertilizer. Solubility of the metal of the product in water is enhanced, and the product is low staining.