Abstract A device for making a culture of micro-organisms has an elongated member which advantageously supports a culture medium on each of two opposite flat faces. A container having an open end is provided for the elongated member. A brush mounted in the container contacts the elongated member intermediate its ends. The open end of the container has removable means to seal it. In a typical operation, the elongated member is removed from the container and the end thereof brought into contact with the area of the patient suspected of having micro-organsims. On returning the elongated member to the container it passes the brush which wipes along the member to brush the inoculum from the end along the culture medium. Advantageously, the container has a guide member to guide the elongated member and restrict its movement toward the interior surfaces of the container. Preferably the brush forms a part of the guide member and the elongated member has a plug adapted to form a seal with the guide member to permit the withdrawal of the elongated member from the container either independently of the guide member or together with the guide member.
Inventors
👤 Anthony J Calabrese
👤 Joseph F Pagano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 20:35
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 in which the culture medium extends to and covers at least a portion of the inner end of the elongated member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 in which the sealing means includes a plug on the elongated member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 in which the brush is removably mounted adjacent the open end of the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 in which a hollow guide member is mounted in the open end of the container to guide the elongated member and restrict its movement towards the interior surfaces oF the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 in which a body of culture medium is supported on each of two opposite sides of the member elongated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 6 in which the culture medium bodies on opposite sides of the elongated member are different.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 6 in which the guide member is removable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device claim 1 in which the container is transparent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 9 in which the container has a flat portion opposite the elongated member for viewing the culture medium.