EP0158497A2
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EP
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Method and apparatus for the detection of biologically active agents
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1985-04-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is provided for the detection of the growth of microorganisms through infrared analysis of a sample of the gas produced by growth of the microorganism. In the method, a sample of the head space gas in a vial containing a growth medium which has been inoculated with a sample suspected of containing a microorganism is removed and transferred to a sample cell where infrared analysis is used to determine the presence of carbon dioxide, if any, produced by the growth of the microorganism.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E. Ahnell
- 👤 H. Mark Perks
- 👤 Mark L. Sussman
- 👤 Gregory Tice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:41
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; C12Q1/04; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/34; C12M41/36; C12Q2304/00; C12Q2304/40; C12Q2304/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A method for analyzing a sample for the presence of biological activity, said method comprising the steps of: providing a closed container having a growth medium for microorganisms including a carbon source which can generate carbon dioxide as a result of the metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample, the closed container having head space above the medium which is occupied by head space gas with an equilibrium level of carbon dioxide; introducing a sample to be analyzed into the medium in the container; exposing the closed container with the introduced sample to conditions conducive to occurence of metabolic process for a period of time sufficient to cause production of co 2 through the metabolism of the microorganism and to increase the carbon dioxide level of the head space gas above the equilibrium level; removing a sample of the head space gas from the head space after the occurence of the metabolic process; introducing the head space gas sample into a sample cell having a gaseous atmosphere containing carbon dioxide at a level substantially equivalent to the equilibrium level of carbon dioxide of the head space gas; and determining the presence of any microorganism in the sample through any increase in the carbon dioxide level of head space gas in the sample cell, by measuring the infrared absorbance of the gaseous atmosphere in the sample cell after the introduction of the head space gas sample into the sample cell.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
A method for analyzing a sample for the presence of biological activity, said method comprising the steps of: providing a closed container having a growth medium for microorganisms including a carbon source which can generate carbon dioxide as a result of the metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample, the closed container having head space above the medium which is occupied by head space gas with an equilibrium level of carbon dioxide; introducing a sample to be analyzed into the medium in the container; exposing the closed container with the introduced sample to conditions conducive to occurence of metabolic process for a period of time sufficient to cause production of co 2 through the metabolism of the microorganism and to increase the carbon dioxide level of the head space gas above the equilibrium level; removing a sample of the head space gas from the head space after the occurence of the metabolic process; introducing the head space gas sample into a sample cell having a gaseous atmosphere containing carbon dioxide at a level substantially equivalent to the equilibrium level of carbon dioxide of the head space gas; and determining the presence of any microorganism in the sample through any increase in the carbon dioxide level of head space gas in the sample cell, by measuring the infrared absorbance of the gaseous atmosphere in the sample cell after the introduction of the head space gas sample into the sample cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the gaseous atmosphere within the sample cell at the time of introducing the head space gas sample has a carbon dioxide level of from 1 to 10%, preferably 2 to 5%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method in accordance with Claim 1 or 2 wherein the sample of head space gas is removed from the container using a pair of needles which penetrate a penetratable .closure of the container, the pair of needles being in fluid communication with the sample cell to provide a loop for the flow of the head space gas from the head space to the sample cell and back to the head space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with Claim 3, wherein the loop is flushed with culture gas prior to the insertion of the needles into the penetrable closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the culture gas has a carbon dioxide level of from 1 to 10%, preferably 2 to 5% and more preferably 2 to 3% or 3 to 5%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for analyzing materials for the presence of biological activity by infrared absorbance, the apparatus comprising: a sealed container (1) having a growth medium (2) for microorganisms including a carbon source which can produce carbon dioxide as a result of the metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample of material, the sealed container having a head space (3) above the growth medium occupied by a head space gas with an equilibrium-level of carbon dioxide; means for introducing a sample of material into the container: means for exposing the container with introduced sample to conditions conducive to the occurence of metabolic process of any microorganism present in the sample so as to increase the carbon dioxide level of the head space gas above the equilibrium level of the head space gas; means (4) for removing a sample of the head space gas and for introducing the sample into a sample cell; and infrared detection means (3) for detecting the infrared absorbance of the head space gas in the sample cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for analyzing materials for the presence of biological activity by infrared absorbance, the apparatus comprising: a sealed container (1) having a growth medium (2) for microorganisms including a carbon source which can produce carbon dioxide as a result of the metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample of material, the sealed container having a head space (3) above the growth medium occupied by a head space gas with an equilibrium-level of carbon dioxide; means for introducing a sample of material into the container: means for exposing the container with introduced sample to conditions conducive to the occurence of metabolic process of any microorganism present in the sample so as to increase the carbon dioxide level of the head space gas above the equilibrium level of the head space gas; means (4) for removing a sample of the head space gas and for introducing the sample into a sample cell; and infrared detection means (3) for detecting the infrared absorbance of the head space gas in the sample cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 6 wherein the sealed container (1) has a penetrable closure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 6 or 7 wherein the means (4) for removing a sample of the head space gas and for introducing the sample into a sample cell comprises a first needle (5) in fluid communication with an inlet to the sample cell and a second needle (6) in fluid communication with an outlet from the sample cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 8 wherein means are provided to insert the first needle and the second needle through the penetrable closure to provide a closed loop for circulation of the head space gas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 9 which includes pump means (10, 11) for providing circulation of the head space gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 9 or 10 which includes means for introducing culture gas into said loop prior to inserting the first and the second needle into the penetrable closure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus in accordance with Claim 11 wherein the culture gas has a level of carbon dioxide substantially equivalent to the equilibrium level of carbon dioxide in the head space gas.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
A growth medium for microorganisms for use with the infrared analysis apparatus of Claim 6, the medium comprising a bacteriological nutrient material and an effective amount of a precursor for carbon dioxide which can produce carbon dioxide by the metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample of a material, the precursor being activated by the generation of acid during metabolism of a microorganism present in a sample introduced into the growth medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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