Instrument and system for rapid microorganism identification and antimicrobial agent susceptibility testing

US10253355B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William Richards · Tucson, US
• Austin Ashby · Tucson, US
• Matthew Ketterer · Tucson, US
• Kevin Marshall · Tucson, US
• Josh Harrison · Tucson, US
• Matthew Mette · Marana, US
• Paul Richards · Tucson, US
• Wayne Showalter · Tucson, US
• Jasmin Cote · Keyano, CA
• Phillip C. Halbert · San Francisco, US
• Solene Bourgeois · San Francisco, US
• Steven W. Metzger · Westminster, US
• Ken Hance · Tucson, US
• Meghan Mensack · Thornton, US
• Carlos Michel · Tucson, US
• Elke Allers · Tucson, US
• Dulini Gamage · Tucson, US
• Landon Prisbrey · Tucson, US
• Oleg Gusyatin · Tucson, US
• Alena Shamsheyeva · Tucson, US
• Ben Turng · Ellicott City, US
• Andrew Ghusson · Tucson, US
• Kurt Reinhardt · Tucson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 3, 2016
• Grant date: Apr 9, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 11, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2035/1032
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for automated microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing comprising a reagent cartridge, a reagent stage, a cassette, a cassette, stage, a pipettor assembly, an optical detection system, and a controller is disclosed. The system is designed to dynamically adjust motor idle torque to control heat load and employs a fast focus process for determining the true focus position of an individual microorganism. The system also may quantify the relative abundance of viable microorganisms in a sample using dynamic dilution, and facilitate growth of microorganisms in customized media for rapid, accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Automated quality control test components and methods of their use are also disclosed.