US3924607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for testing for the presence of micro-organisms
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-23
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A device to test for the presence of micro-organisms, comprising a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms, and a carrier carrying the culture medium and having with the latter a configuration and size enabling a carrier and culture medium carried thereby to be comfortably introduced into a body cavity and temporarily retained therein with the culture medium being exposed by a carrier to the presence of micro-organisms which are suspected in the body cavity.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis Bucalo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0045; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device to test for the presence of mIcro-organisms, comprising a culture medium for promoting the growth of microorganisms which may be present in a body cavity such as the mouth, the nose, a sinus passage, the ear, the anal canal, the vagina, the urethra, the uterus, etc., of the type encountered in human beings, and carrier means carrying the culture medium and forming with the latter a complete unit having at its entire exterior surface a sufficient smoothness and a configuration and size to be comfortably received in and temporarily retained and enclosed entirely within the body cavity with the culture medium being rendered accessible by the carrier means to micro-organisms which are in the body cavity, so that the micro-organisms, if the are present in the body cavity, can grow in the culture medium under the conditions which prevail in the body cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device to test for the presence of mIcro-organisms, comprising a culture medium for promoting the growth of microorganisms which may be present in a body cavity such as the mouth, the nose, a sinus passage, the ear, the anal canal, the vagina, the urethra, the uterus, etc., of the type encountered in human beings, and carrier means carrying the culture medium and forming with the latter a complete unit having at its entire exterior surface a sufficient smoothness and a configuration and size to be comfortably received in and temporarily retained and enclosed entirely within the body cavity with the culture medium being rendered accessible by the carrier means to micro-organisms which are in the body cavity, so that the micro-organisms, if the are present in the body cavity, can grow in the culture medium under the conditions which prevail in the body cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said carrier means includes a compressed body of filamentary material surrounded by the culture medium and having the latter situated in interstices within the compressed body of filamentary material, and said carrier means further including an outer frame surrounding and holding the compressed body of filamentary material and the culture medium and formed with openings through which micro-organisms will have free access to the culture medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein the body of filamentary material is composed at least in part of gold wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein the filamentary material is composed at least in part of cotton.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said outer frame is in the form of a wall formed with a plurality of openings through which the culture medium is freely accessible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said outer frame is in the form of a network of intersecting ribs which define between themselves spaces through which micro-organisms will have free access to the culture medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the culture medium is divided into several sections respectively having different compositions for respectively indicating the presence of different micro-organisms.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
163 words
A device to test for the presence of micro-organisms, comprising a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms which may be present in a body cavity, and carrier means carrying the culture medium and forming with the latter a complete unit having at its exterior surface a sufficient smoothness and a configuration and size to be comfortably received in and temporarily retained and enclosed entirely within the body cavity, with the culture medium being rendered accessible by the carrier means to micro-organisms which are in the body cavity, so that the micro-organisms, if they are present in the body cavity, can grow in the culture medium under the conditions which prevail in the body cavity, said carrier means including an outer frame formed with passage means through which micro-organisms have access to the culture medium with said outer frame extending outwardly beyond the culture medium for substantially preventing direct contact between the culture medium and a surface which defines the body cavity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A device to test for the presence of micro-organisms, comprising a culture medium for promoting the growth of micro-organisms which may be present in a body cavity, and carrier means carrying the culture medium and forming with the latter a complete unit having at its exterior surface a sufficient smoothness and a configuration and size to be comfortably received in and temporarily retained and enclosed entirely within the body cavity, with the culture medium being rendered accessible by the carrier means to micro-organisms which are in the body cavity, so that the micro-organisms, if they are present in the body cavity, can grow in the culture medium under the conditions which prevail in the body cavity, said carrier means including an outer frame formed with passage means through which micro-organisms have access to the culture medium with said outer frame extending outwardly beyond the culture medium for substantially preventing direct contact between the culture medium and a surface which defines the body cavity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |