EP0590775A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms
Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Co
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Filing: 1993-08-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-08-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention describes a method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms in a large number of blood culture vials using more than one microorganism detection principle for each vial. Two of such possible detection means includes the use of a fluorescent carbon dioxide sensor and scattered photon migration. The apparatus performs a logic linkage of the results of all the detection principles applied. Therefore, an enhanced recovery and an improved accuracy in detecting microorganisms is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus W. Berndt
- 👤 Thomas H. Schulte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:39
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M41/00; C12M41/30; C12M41/36; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/808
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for detecting microorganisms in fluid samples, comprising: at least one sealable container adapted to sustain the growth of microorganisms; a plurality of detecting means adapted to interrogate said container for microorganism presence; and said detecting means connected to a system controller, said controller receiving data produced by said detecting means to arrive at a final system determination regarding the presence of microorganisms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said data is analyzed within said controller with each analysis being performed separately for each said detecting means and a partial system answer being generated, each said partial system answer being compared to arrive at said final system determination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, whereby said controller cross-correlates said data when said data from more than one of said detecting means includes a low signal-to-noise ratio, in order to average noise contributions to said data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said detecting means includes a fluorescent sensor, said sensor being excited through a light emitting means and a spectral filter being arranged between said light emitting means and said sensor to block unwanted long-wavelength radiation, said sensor selectively emitting fluorescence light, the intensity of said fluorescence light varying as microorganisms grow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein a portion of said fluorescence light passes through an optical fiber, an end of said fiber being mounted within an opaque plate in front of a photodetector, and a spectral filter is disposed between said plate and said controller to prevent scattered excitation light from reaching said photodetector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said sensor is spread along a portion of an inner surface of said container away from said light emitting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said detecting means is based on scattered photon migration having a light emitting means introducing light into said container, and light reemerging from said container being detected by a high-sensitivity photodetector.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
169 words
An apparatus for detecting microorganisms, comprising: a sealable container adapted to sustain the growth of microorganisms and maintained at a temperature above ambient to promote optimum growth; a plurality of detecting means adapted to interrogate said container for microorganism growth, at least one of said detecting means being selectively located partially within said container and others located adjacent to said container; and said detecting means being connected to a system controller, said controller activating said detecting means and receiving data produced by said detecting means, said data being analyzed within said controller with each analysis being performed separately for each detecting means with a partial system answer being generated according to one of three possible outcomes, "detection positive" which indicates the presence of microorganisms, "detection negative" which indicates the absence of microorganisms, and "decision impossible" which indicates a problem with said detecting means, said partial system answers being compared to arrive at a final system determination of the presence of microorganisms; and means to communicate said final system determination.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein a first detecting means includes a fluorescent sensor and a second detecting means is based on scattered photon migration, each said analysis being based on the varying intensity of light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said fluorescent sensor is excited through a green light emitting diode, a spectral filter being arranged between said green light emitting diode and said sensor to block unwanted long-wavelength radiation, said sensor being spread along a portion of an inner surface of said vial away from said green light emitting diode and selectively emitting fluorescence light, the intensity of said light varying as microorganisms grow, said intensity being detected by a high-sensitivity photodetector, a portion of said light passing through an optical fiber, an end of said fiber being mounted within an opaque plate in front of said photodetector and a special filter being disposed between said plate and said photodetector to prevent back-scattered green excitation light from reaching said photodetector.
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