An assay is performed so as to identify a pathogen in a sample taken from a patient. The identity of the pathogen in the patient sample is used to select an antimicrobial for treatment of the patient. The antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. For instance, when the sample is blood, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 7 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient. When the sample is urine, the antimicrobial can be selected in less than 4 hours after the patient sample is taken from the patient.

Provided herein are methods, systems, and computer-readable media for controlling a deacidification process for an aqueous fluid circulated through a deacidification column. A first pH value, indicative of a pH of the fluid before circulation through the column, is obtained from a first sensor located at an entry of the column. A second pH value, indicative of a pH of the fluid after circulation through the column, is obtained from a second sensor located at an exit of the column. The second pH value is compared to a target pH value for the fluid to determine a pH difference between the second pH value and the target pH value. Based on the first and second pH values, a deacidification capacity of the column is determined. A fluid flow rate of the fluid through the column is adjusted based on the pH difference and the deacidification capacity.

A liquid absorber includes a plurality of small chips. Individual ones of the small chips include a first substrate containing fibers, a second substrate containing fibers, and an absorbent resin supported between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate contains an ion scavenger.

An apparatus (100) for purifying fluid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises an osmosis unit (102) configured for pre-purifying the fluid to be purified by forward osmosis of the fluid, which is to be purified, through an osmosis membrane (104) into a chamber (106) comprising dissolved first ions, in particular first cations and first anions, an ion exchange unit (108) configured for exchanging at least part of the first ions, in particular at least part of at least one of the first cations and the first anions, by second ions, in particular at least one of second cations and second anions, and a re-concentration unit (110) configured for separating the pre-purified fluid after the ion exchange into purified fluid and into a re-concentrate enriched with the respective ions, in particular anions and cations.

An apparatus (100) for purifying fluid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises an osmosis unit (102) configured for pre-purifying the fluid to be purified by forward osmosis of the fluid, which is to be purified, through an osmosis membrane (104) into a chamber (106) comprising dissolved first ions, in particular first cations and first anions, an ion exchange unit (108) configured for exchanging at least part of the first ions, in particular at least part of at least one of the first cations and the first anions, by second ions, in particular at least one of second cations and second anions, and a re-concentration unit (110) configured for separating the pre-purified fluid after the ion exchange into purified fluid and into a re-concentrate enriched with the respective ions, in particular anions and cations.

A method of performing a plurality of synthesis processes of preparing a radiopharmaceutical in series, which method includes carrying out a first synthesis run comprising the steps of: a) providing water containing 18F; b) trapping the 18F from the water provided in step a) on an anion exchange material; c) eluting the trapped 18F from the anion exchange material to a reaction vessel of first radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; d) preparing a radiopharmaceutical incorporating the eluted 18F using the first radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; where steps a)-d) are repeated in at least one subsequent run using another radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; and where the method includes a reconditioning step of treating the anion exchange material with water between two consecutive runs. Other aspects of the invention relate to a device for performing this method, and a cassette for use in the device.

A method of performing a plurality of synthesis processes of preparing a radiopharmaceutical in series, which method includes carrying out a first synthesis run comprising the steps of: a) providing water containing 18F; b) trapping the 18F from the water provided in step a) on an anion exchange material; c) eluting the trapped 18F from the anion exchange material to a reaction vessel of first radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; d) preparing a radiopharmaceutical incorporating the eluted 18F using the first radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; where steps a)-d) are repeated in at least one subsequent run using another radiopharmaceutical synthesis cassette; and where the method includes a reconditioning step of treating the anion exchange material with water between two consecutive runs. Other aspects of the invention relate to a device for performing this method, and a cassette for use in the device.

Processes for purifying polyether polyols via treatment with ion exchange resins. A mixture that includes the polyether polyol and alkali metal ions is passed through a first bed that includes a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to remove alkali metal ions from the mixture. Thereafter, the product is passed through a second bed comprising an anion exchange resin comprising quaternary ammonium groups and a cation exchange resin comprising carboxylic acid and/or phosphonic acid groups to thereby produce a purified polyether polyol.

A cassette for performing a plurality of synthesis processes of preparing a radiopharmaceutical in series in a synthesizer, includes: at least one manifold provided with a plurality of valves connectable to and operable by the synthesizer; an anion-exchanger comprising an anionic exchange material; an eluent container comprising an eluent; and a recondition container comprising a reconditioning agent.

A cassette for performing a plurality of synthesis processes of preparing a radiopharmaceutical in series in a synthesizer, includes: at least one manifold provided with a plurality of valves connectable to and operable by the synthesizer; an anion-exchanger comprising an anionic exchange material; an eluent container comprising an eluent; and a recondition container comprising a reconditioning agent.