Patent US4749655A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4749655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Specimen collection package
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1987-06-01
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2007-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained specimen collecting and transporting unit is provided which has all of the advantages of the known specimen collecting and transporting units and which is characterized by the ability to preserve microorganisms during the transporting thereof in the transporting unit. The improved specimen collecting and transporting unit has a pledget composed of carbon fiber. The use of a carbon fiber pledget has been found to have a synergistic effect in preserving the viability of microorganisms which are obtained by use of the swab of the specimen collecting and transporting unit.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Monthony
- 👤 Virginia M. Corasaniti
- 👤 C. Michael Gosnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:28
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M45/00; C12M45/22; C12M33/00; C12M33/02; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
In a microorganism collecting and transporting unit including a tube having an open outer end and a closed inner end, a cap adapted to close said tube, a swabbing device located within said tube including a stem and a swabbing tip on the inner end of said stem, a culture sustaining media located within said tube and a pledget disposed within said tube, said pledget being adapted to keep said swabbing tip moist with said media after a specimen has been collected on said swabbing tip, the improvement comprising utilizing fiber made of carbon or graphite to form at least a portion of one of the members of said transporting unit selected from the group of said pledget and said swabbing tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a microorganism collecting and transporting unit including a tube having an open outer end and a closed inner end, a cap adapted to close said tube, a swabbing device located within said tube including a stem and a swabbing tip on the inner end of said stem, a culture sustaining media located within said tube and a pledget disposed within said tube, said pledget being adapted to keep said swabbing tip moist with said media after a specimen has been collected on said swabbing tip, the improvement comprising utilizing fiber made of carbon or graphite to form at least a portion of one of the members of said transporting unit selected from the group of said pledget and said swabbing tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carbon fiber is a graphite fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carbon fiber is a carbon fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said graphite fiber is in the form of a woven cloth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A unit in accordance with claim 3 wherein said carbon fiber is in the form of a woven cloth.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4175008A
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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) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |