US3676679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for detecting biological activity
Assignee: Johnston Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-22
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A sample of material such as blood, urine, spinal fluid, or the like to be tested for the presence of biological activity is placed into a sterile container together with a suitable growth medium which includes a C14 carbon containing carbon source (such as C14 substituted glucose) which is fermentable to produce gaseous C14O2. An incubator is provided for exposing the container and its contents to conditions conducive to growth. After a suitable incubation period, a portion of the gaseous atmosphere in the container is withdrawn and analyzed in gaseous form in an ionization chamber for the presence of radioactivity. Valve and conduit means are provided for analyzing a number of samples sequentially.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Waters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/483; G01N33/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein is included a plurality of said containers, said conduit means including an individual conduit segment for each container, said blocking means being operable to intercommunicate said measuring means individually with respective segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is provided with external magnetic stirring means whereby a magnetic bar within the container can be caused to rotate and produce a vortex in the medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said containers are provided with external magnetic stirring means whereby a magnetic bar within each said container can be caused to rotate and produce a vortex in the medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for rapidly and simultaneously analyzing a plurality of materials by measuring the radioactivity of gaseous portions removed, after incubation, from individual containers which originally contained individual samples of the materials together with a growth medium including a C14 containing carbon source fermentable to produce carbon dioxide, said apparatus comprising: a conduit segment adapted for connection to each of the containers; a radioactivity measuring device including an ionization chamber operable to facilitate the radioactive decay of the C14 in C14O2 present in gaseous form within the chamber and means operably coupled to the chamber for measuring the electric current produced by said decay, said chamber having an inlet conduit; means connected to said conduit segments and said inlet conduit operable to selectively intercommunicate the inlet conduit with any one of said segments individually to permit flow of a gaseous portion from the corresponding container into the chamber; and means coupled to said chamber for flushing the same after the radioactivity of a portion has been measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means connected to the segments and the conduit includes a multi-position valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein is included control means for operating said means connected to the segments and the conduit to sequentiaLly interconnect the various conduit segments and the inlet conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for analyzing materials, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers adapted for receiving a sample of said material together with a growth medium including a C14 carbon containing carbon source which is fermentable to produce carbon dioxide; means for exposing the containers and thereby the medium and the sample to conditions conducive to the occurrence of normal metabolic processes; radioactivity measuring means operable to measure the radioactivity of a quantity of gas; feeder means to bring each container sequentially past connector means coupled to said radioactivity measuring means; and gas flow between said connector means and said radioactivity measuring means and operable to periodically permit at least a portion of the gaseous atmosphere in the container to flow into the radioactivity measuring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the feeder means is in the form of a closed loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including warning lights to indicate activity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including a print-out identifying each sample and the measured activity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including external magnet stirring means whereby a magnetic bar within the container can be caused to rotate and produce a vortex in the medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3506402A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |