US3713985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for testing potency of biological control reagents
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract Device for testing the potency of a biological control reagent, as in antibiotic susceptibility testing, especially the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration, comprising a strip of a plurality of interconnected plastic cups having a capacity of about 0.3 ml. each. All but two of the cups contain a range of amounts of the control reagent in an essentially dry state which will provide a predetermined range of concentrations when the reagent is redispersed. Contamination of the dry reagent in the cups is prevented by an adherent plastic film or aluminum foil across the openings of the cups. In use, the adherent film or foil is removed, the dry reagent is redispersed to form the required range of concentrations, and all of the cups except one are inoculated with the biological material against which the potency of the control reagent is to be tested. The last cup contains the dispersion medium but not the control reagent nor inoculum, and provides a sterility control. The second last cup contains the dispersion medium and the inoculum, and serves as a growth control. The strip of cups is then resealed, incubated, and the test results are read.
Inventors
- 👤 T Astle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:02
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5085; B01L3/50855; B01L3/54; B01L3/545; B01L3/5453; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/81; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/843; Y10S435/844; Y10S435/975
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for testing the potency of a biological control reagent by contacting a biological material to be controlled with a predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent, which comprises: a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, wherein the number of receptacles corresponds to said predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent; said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray; said receptacles containing a range of quantities of said reagent, said reagent being in an essentially dry state susceptible to redispersion to provide said predetermined range of concentrations; and means for sealing said receptacles against contamination whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for testing the potency of a biological control reagent by contacting a biological material to be controlled with a predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent, which comprises: a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, wherein the number of receptacles corresponds to said predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent; said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray; said receptacles containing a range of quantities of said reagent, said reagent being in an essentially dry state susceptible to redispersion to provide said predetermined range of concentrations; and means for sealing said receptacles against contamination whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein each said strip includes as controls at least two receptacles not containing said reagent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein each said strip comprises at least eight receptacles containing said range of concentrations of said reagent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein each said strip carries indicia identifying said reagent and quantities thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said indicia comprises a binary code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein each said strip is formed of a transparent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said reagent comprises an antibiotic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said reagent is sealed with an effective oxygen and moisture barrier material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said reagent is present in said receptacles in an inert atmosphere.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of producing a device for testing the potency of a biological control reagent, which comprises: a. providing a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray, b. inserting into said receptacles solutions providing a predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent, c. treating said solutions to reduce said reagent in each receptacle to an essentially dry state, and d. sealing said receptacles against contamination whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of producing a device for testing the potency of a biological control reagent, which comprises: a. providing a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray, b. inserting into said receptacles solutions providing a predetermined range of concentrations of said reagent, c. treating said solutions to reduce said reagent in each receptacle to an essentially dry state, and d. sealing said receptacles against contamination whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said reagents are reduced to an essentially dry state by lyophilizing said solutions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said solutions contain as dispersion medium a volatilizable solvent and said reagents are reduced to an essentially dry state by volatilization of said solvent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10 including the step of sterilizing the receptacles containing said reagent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said reagent comprises an antibiotic material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for testing the potency of a biological control reagent which comprises: a. providing a device comprising a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray, said receptacles containing a predetermined range of amounts of said reagent in an essentially dry state, and means for sealing said receptacles against contamination of said reagent whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition, b. dispersing the reagent in each receptacle in a medium effective to provide solutions having a predetermined range of concentrations, c. inoculating at least a portion of said plurality of receptacles with biological material to be tested, and d. reading the resultant level of control.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for testing the potency of a biological control reagent which comprises: a. providing a device comprising a plurality of receptacles arranged in a row to form a unitary strip of said receptacles, said strip having means for longitudinally interlocking a plurality of said strips to form a tray, said receptacles containing a predetermined range of amounts of said reagent in an essentially dry state, and means for sealing said receptacles against contamination of said reagent whereby said device is adapted for storage and transportation in a stable, pre-packaged condition, b. dispersing the reagent in each receptacle in a medium effective to provide solutions having a predetermined range of concentrations, c. inoculating at least a portion of said plurality of receptacles with biological material to be tested, and d. reading the resultant level of control.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of receptacles are arranged in a row forming a strip, said strip including at least eight receptacles containing said reagent and as controls at least two receptacles not containing said reagent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said reagent is an antibiotic and, after inoculation, said receptacles are incubated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein, in step (b), sufficient dispersant is added to provide a substantially equal total volume of solution in each receptacle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the resultant level of control is read visually.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |