US5094955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for detecting microorganisms
Assignee: Biomerieux Inc
•
Filing: 1990-02-15
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Granted: 1992-03-10
•
Expires: 2010-02-15
Abstract
Abstract An instrument and a sealable vessel for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a specimen, the vessel containing a liquid culture medium communicating with a sensor means containing an indicator medium therein. Changes in the indicator medium resulting from pH change or change in CO2 concentration in the medium are detected from outside the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Calandra
- 👤 James E. Turner
- 👤 Thurman C. Thorpe
- 👤 James L. DiGuiseppi
- 👤 Richard C. Driscoll
- 👤 Carmella S. Moody
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:16
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/02; C12Q1/04; G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/75; G01N21/77; G01N21/78; G01N21/80; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/22; C12M41/00; C12M41/26; C12M41/30; C12M41/34; C12M41/46; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6428; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/807; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/23; Y10T436/235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for continuously monitoring biological activity in a specimen comprising a sealable specimen container with a sealing means, having an internal chamber in which a specimen may be cultured with a culture medium, having at least one transparent section and a sensor means located inside said container in the region of the transparent section, whereby changes in the appearance of the sensor means can be continuously monitored from the exterior of said container through said transparent section, thereby monitoring biological activity without violating the integrity of said container after sealing, said sensor means comprising a membrane and an indicator medium, the indicator medium being selected for its ability to exhibit a detectable change when exposed to products of an organism's metabolic activity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A device for continuously monitoring biological activity in a specimen comprising a sealable specimen container with a sealing means, having an internal chamber in which a specimen may be cultured with a culture medium, having at least one transparent section and a sensor means located inside said container in the region of the transparent section, whereby changes in the appearance of the sensor means can be continuously monitored from the exterior of said container through said transparent section, thereby monitoring biological activity without violating the integrity of said container after sealing, said sensor means comprising a membrane and an indicator medium, the indicator medium being selected for its ability to exhibit a detectable change when exposed to products of an organism's metabolic activity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means used to seal said container comprises said transparent section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said sealing means incorporates said sensor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the sensor means comprises a charged membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the sensor means comprises a positively charged membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the sensor means comprises a negatively charged membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 4, wherein the sensor means comprises a positively charged nylon membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 comprising a multiplicity of separate specimen containers, wherein at least one of the containers has a sensor located therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
9 words
The device of claim 8, comprising a microtiter plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 8, wherein said sensor is introduced into each container as a liquid emulsion, which is cured in situ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 10, wherein the emulsion is introduced into each container by spraying.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means is sprayed onto said transparent section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator medium comprises at least one molecular species responsive to pH.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 13, wherein the indicator medium comprises a combination of molecular species responsive to a range of pH.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator medium is a molecular species responsive to the presence of NH 3 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises a charged membrane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the membrane of the sensor means is bonded to the interior surface of said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 17, wherein the membrane of the sensor means is at least circumferentially bonded to the interior surface of the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor means is separated from the specimen in said container by a semipermeable membrane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 19, wherein the semipermeable membrane comprises a membrane formed in situ.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises droplets of indicator medium immobilized within a polymer matrix and the polymer matrix makes up the membrane.
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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) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |