US3963355A — Process and apparatus for analyzing specimens for…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 105 words

A device for detecting the presence of at least one specific microorganism in a specimen, said device comprising: receptacle means for containing a diluted specimen, a flow channel leading from the receptacle means, at least one selective culture medium in the flow channel whereby the diluted specimen will mix with the culture medium to form a diluent mixture, the culture medium being capable of sustaining a specific microorganism in the diluent mixture such that the continued existence of said living specific microorganism will change the light transmitting characteristics of the diluent mixture so as to indicate the presence of the specific microorganism in the specimen.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 105 words

A device for detecting the presence of at least one specific microorganism in a specimen, said device comprising: receptacle means for containing a diluted specimen, a flow channel leading from the receptacle means, at least one selective culture medium in the flow channel whereby the diluted specimen will mix with the culture medium to form a diluent mixture, the culture medium being capable of sustaining a specific microorganism in the diluent mixture such that the continued existence of said living specific microorganism will change the light transmitting characteristics of the diluent mixture so as to indicate the presence of the specific microorganism in the specimen.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

A device according to claim 1 wherein the flow channel comprises a manifold leading from the receptacle means and a plurality of branches leading from the manifold; and wherein culture media is in the branches, the culture medium in each branch favoring a different microorganism.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

A device according to claim 1 wherein the flow channel has a detection cell for observing the change in the light transmitting characteristics of the diluent mixture.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

A device according to claim 3 wherein the flow channel contains a filter through which the diluted speciment flows, the filter being capable of removing a known proportion of the microorganisms from the diluted specimen passing through it.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

A device according to claim 4 wherein the flow channel contains a plurality of filters to effect a serial dilution of the specimen.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

A device according to claim 5 wherein a detection cell is located downstream from each filter.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

A device according to claim 6 wherein the culture medium is disposed in discrete beds with a discrete bed being located upstream from each detection cell.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 67 words

A device according to claim 3 wherein the flow channel comprises a manifold leading from the receptacle means and a plurality of branches leading from the manifold; wherein the culture medium and the detection cells are in the branches, the culture medium of the individual branches being different and favoring different microorganisms; and wherein the branches are in cassette means which are detachable for purposes of examination.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

A device according to claim 2 wherein the receptacle means comprises an initially sealed container having a predetermined volume of liquid therein, and an initially open container for receiving the specimen and having the initially sealed container therein, the initially open container being connected with the manifold.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

A device according to claim 9 wherein a valve is interposed between the initially open container and the manifold.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 84 words

A device according to claim 3 and further characterized by a detector for measuring the optical density of the diluent mixture at the detection cell, said detector comprising a light source oriented to project a beam of light through the detection cell, and a photoelectric cell positioned in the path of the beam beyond the detection cell, the photoelectric cell controlling an electrical signal such that the magnitude of the signal is dependent on the intensity of the light falling upon the photoelectric cell.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 33 words

A device according to claim 11 wherein the detector further comprises a clock, and an analogue to digital converter for converting to analogue signal derived from the photoelectric cell to a digital signal.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 73 words

A device accordng to claim 11 wherein a plurality of filters are disposed in the flow channel to effect a serial dilution of the specimen; wherein the flow channel has a detection cell located downstrem from each filter; wherein the detector has a light source and photoelectric cell positioned to align optically with each detection cell; and wherein the detector further comprises a clock and control for energizing the light sources in sequence.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 81 words

A device according to claim 11 wherein the portion of the flow channel containing the culture medium and the detection cell is disposed within a detachable cassette; and wherein the detector further comprises cooperating first and second members for receiving the cassette, the light source being in one of the members and the photoelectric cell being in the other member; and heater means associated with the detector elevating the temperature of the cassette to incubate the microorganisms in the culture medium.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device according to claim 1 wherein the culture medium is freeze dried.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; mixing the liquid-specimen mixture with a selective culture medium to form a diluent mixture; heating the diluent mixture to incubate the microorgaisms therein; filtering the diluent mixture to remove a known proportion of microorganisms of the diluent mixture; and thereafter examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof by measuring the relative optical density of the diluent mixture.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 81 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; mixing the liquid-specimen mixture with a selective culture medium to form a diluent mixture; heating the diluent mixture to incubate the microorgaisms therein; filtering the diluent mixture to remove a known proportion of microorganisms of the diluent mixture; and thereafter examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof by measuring the relative optical density of the diluent mixture.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

A process according to claim 16 wherein the diluent mixture is filtered a plurality of times to effect a serial dilution; and wherein the relative optical density is measured after each filtration.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 42 words

A process according to claim 17 wherein the relative optical density is measured by projecting a beam of light through the diluent mixture, having the light emerging from the mixture fall upon a photocell, and measuring the current flowing through the photocell.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 57 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; evacuating air from the vicinity of a selective culture medium; thereafter mixing the liquid-specimen mixture with the selective culture medium to form a diluent mixture; and examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 57 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; evacuating air from the vicinity of a selective culture medium; thereafter mixing the liquid-specimen mixture with the selective culture medium to form a diluent mixture; and examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A process according to claim 19 and further characterized by heating the diluent mixture to incubate the microorganisms therein.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 32 words

A process according to claim 19 wherein the liquid-specimen mixture replaces the evacuated air so that the liquid-specimen mixture and culture medium are mixed in the absence of substantial amounts of air.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 35 words

A process according to claim 19 and further characterized by incubating the diluent mixture, and wherein the diluent mixture is examined at intervals as it is incubated for detecting change in the optical characteristics thereof.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

A process according to claim 22 and further characterized by comparing the results of the examination with known results for the selective culture medium used to culture the microorganism to which it is specific.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 29 words

A process according to claim 22 wherein the process of examining the optical characteristics includes measuring the optical density of diluent mixture and plotting the optical density against time.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 39 words

A process according to claim 22 wherein the step of examining the diluent mixture comprises projecting a beam of light through the diluent mixture and recording the intensity of the projected light after it passes through the diluent mixture.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

A process according to claim 22 wherein the culture medium is dehydrated before the liquid-specimen mixture flows into it and is rehydrated by the liquid-specimen mixture.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 66 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; causing the liquid-specimen mixture to flow into and mix with a selective culture medium without exposing the liquid-specimen mixture or the selective culture medium to the surrounding atmosphere, whereby a diluent mixture is formed; and examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 66 words

A process for detecting and identifying microorganisms in a specimen, said process comprising diluting the specimen in a liquid; causing the liquid-specimen mixture to flow into and mix with a selective culture medium without exposing the liquid-specimen mixture or the selective culture medium to the surrounding atmosphere, whereby a diluent mixture is formed; and examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

A process according to claim 27 wherein the step of examining the diluent mixture for a change in the optical characteristics thereof comprises measuring the optical density of the diluent mixture.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

A process according to claim 28 wherein the relative density is measured repeatedly for detecting a change in the relative optical density.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 182 words

A process for detecting and identifying a specific microorganism in a specimen, said process comprising: diluting the specimen in water confined within a vessel to form a water-specimen mixture; attaching a cassette containing a flow channel to the vessel such that the flow channel communicates with the interior of the vessel, the flow channel including a detection cell which is visible from the exterior of the cassette on both sides of the cassette, the flow channel also containing a selective medium which when mixed with water will sustain the specific microorganisms and only the specific microorganism will cause a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the water-medium mixture so formed; causing the water-specimen mixture to flow from the vessel into the flow channel within the cassette where the water-specimen mixture will mix with the selective medium in the flow channel to form a diluent mixture; thereafter detaching the cassette from the vessel; projecting a beam of light through the detection cell of the detached cassette and the diluent mixture therein; and measuring the intensity of the light beyond the detection cell.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 182 words

A process for detecting and identifying a specific microorganism in a specimen, said process comprising: diluting the specimen in water confined within a vessel to form a water-specimen mixture; attaching a cassette containing a flow channel to the vessel such that the flow channel communicates with the interior of the vessel, the flow channel including a detection cell which is visible from the exterior of the cassette on both sides of the cassette, the flow channel also containing a selective medium which when mixed with water will sustain the specific microorganisms and only the specific microorganism will cause a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the water-medium mixture so formed; causing the water-specimen mixture to flow from the vessel into the flow channel within the cassette where the water-specimen mixture will mix with the selective medium in the flow channel to form a diluent mixture; thereafter detaching the cassette from the vessel; projecting a beam of light through the detection cell of the detached cassette and the diluent mixture therein; and measuring the intensity of the light beyond the detection cell.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 43 words

A process according to claim 30 wherein the water-specimen mixture is caused to flow from the vessel into the flow channel of the cassette by evacuating air from the channel and permitting the water-specimen mixture to take the place of the evacuated air.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 215 words

A process for detecting and identifying a specific microorganism in a specimen; said process comprising: introducing the specimen into a vessel containing the water so that the specimen and water mix to form a water-specimen mixture; attaching a cassette containing a flow channel to the vessel such that the flow channel communicates only with the interior of the vessel, the flow channel including a detection cell which is visible from the exterior of the cassette and when unobstructed is capable of transmitting light through the cassette, the flow channel also containing a selective culture medium which when mixed with water will sustain the specific microorganism and only the specific microorganism will cause a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the water-medium mixture; closing the vessel so that the interior of the vessel and the flow channel are substantially isolated from the surrounding atmosphere to prevent the entry of contaminants; causing the water-specimen mixture to flow into the flow channel and mix with the selective culture medium therein to form a diluent mixture, at least some of which locates in the detection cell of the flow channel; thereafter projecting a beam of light through the detection cell and the diluent mixture therein; and measuring the intensity of the beam of light beyond the detection cell.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 215 words

A process for detecting and identifying a specific microorganism in a specimen; said process comprising: introducing the specimen into a vessel containing the water so that the specimen and water mix to form a water-specimen mixture; attaching a cassette containing a flow channel to the vessel such that the flow channel communicates only with the interior of the vessel, the flow channel including a detection cell which is visible from the exterior of the cassette and when unobstructed is capable of transmitting light through the cassette, the flow channel also containing a selective culture medium which when mixed with water will sustain the specific microorganism and only the specific microorganism will cause a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the water-medium mixture; closing the vessel so that the interior of the vessel and the flow channel are substantially isolated from the surrounding atmosphere to prevent the entry of contaminants; causing the water-specimen mixture to flow into the flow channel and mix with the selective culture medium therein to form a diluent mixture, at least some of which locates in the detection cell of the flow channel; thereafter projecting a beam of light through the detection cell and the diluent mixture therein; and measuring the intensity of the beam of light beyond the detection cell.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 21 words

A process according to claim 32 wherein the cassette is attached to the vessel by inserting a needle through a septum.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 44 words

A process according to claim 32 wherein the water specimen mixture is caused to flow from the vessel into the flow channel of the cassette by evacuating air from the channel and permitting the water-specimen mixture to take the place of the evacuated air.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 25 words

A process according to claim 32 wherein the cassette is detached from the vessel when the beam of light is projected through the detection cell.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 31 words

A process according to claim 32 wherein the selective culture medium is freeze-dried and is rehydrated by the water when the water-specimen mixture is caused to flow through the flow channel.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1979-06-15	1979-12-15	1980-06-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1983-06-15	1983-12-15	1984-06-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1987-06-15	1987-12-15	1988-06-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Process and apparatus for analyzing specimens for the presence of microorganisms therein

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