Test apparatus, system and method for the detection of test samples

Claim 1

A glass-free test apparatus for the bioluminescent detection of a ATP in a test sample, from or on a material, which apparatus consists essentially of: a) an elongated tubular sample unit having: i) a probe means having a first and second end, with said first end to obtain a test sample in use to be collected from or on a material; ii) an ATP sterile chamber having a first and second open end, and adapted to receive and retain therein, prior to use and after use, said probe means and having a cover for said first end of said chamber; and iii) threadable means to move longitudinally, said first end of said probe means within said chamber prior to use to selected sequential non-use, use and non-use positions; and b) a tubular test unit longitudinally aligned and attached to the second end of the chamber having: i) a reagent transparent housing with a bottom and having a first end and second closed end, said first end attached to said second open end of said chamber, said transparent housing composed of a transparent material adapted for use with or in a test instrument for the identification of the ATP in test sample by measurement of luminescence; and ii) ATP test sample reagent means to contact the test sample on said probe means and comprising a reagent package which comprises a plurality of separate, aligned, sealed compartments, which includes an ATP release or buffer solution with an indicator dye compartment and a separate luciferin-luciferase compartment, the compartments characterized by a plurality of separate, puncturable membranes adapted to be penetrated sequentially by the threadably controlled, longitudinal movement of said first end of the probe means, the test sample and the reagent means, in combination, providing a selected test for the detection of the ATP in the test sample, when the test sample and the reagent means are combined in said transparent housing in said test unit.

Claim 10

A method for the detection of ATP by a user of a test sample from or on a material, in which said test sample is combined with ATP test reagents to provide test results, which method consists essentially of: a) providing an elongated, tubular, sterile, glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit constructed and arranged to obtain a test sample to retain a probe means having a probe end therein, and a transparent, closed end test unit at the one end to provide test results; b) removing said probe means and collecting the material to be tested to obtain a test sample on the probe means; c) inserting said probe means within said test apparatus; d) threadably, longitudinally moving said probe means in said test apparatus, with said test sample, sequentially between a starting non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit, a use position with the probe end in the test unit, and an ending non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit; e) puncturing an ATP-packaged test reagent selected for the particular test method for the sample by the downwardly threadable longitudinal movement of the probe end of the probe means to rupture a plurality of membranes defining separate compartments having an ATP release-buffer solution with an indicator dye, and a luciferin-luciferase composition to provide a contacting of said ATP test reagent and said test sample from said probe means in said test unit; and f) determining the luminescence within said transparent test unit.

Claim 11

A method for the detection of ATP by a user of a test sample from or on a material, in which said test sample is combined with ATP test reagents to provide test results, which method consists essentially of: a) providing an elongated, tubular, sterile, glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit constructed and arranged to obtain a test sample to retain a probe means having a probe end therein, and a transparent, closed end test unit at the one end to provide test results; b) removing said probe means and collecting the material to be tested to obtain a test sample on the probe means; c) inserting said probe means within said test apparatus; d) threadably, longitudinally moving said probe means in said test apparatus, with said test sample, sequentially between a starting non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit, a use position with the probe end in the test unit, and an ending non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit; e) puncturing an ATP-packaged test reagent selected for the particular test method for the sample by the downwardly threadable longitudinal movement of the probe end of the probe means to rupture a plurality of membranes defining separate compartments having an ATP release-buffer solution with an indicator dye, and a luciferin-luciferase composition to provide a contacting of said ATP test reagent and said test sample from said probe means in said test unit; and f) determining the luminescence within said transparent test unit.

Claim 22

A method for the bioluminescent determination of ATP in a test sample, which method consists essentially of: a) providing a glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit having an enclosed ATP-sterile chamber and a top cover with a probe means of a premoistened swab at one end within the chamber, and a transparent test unit at an other end of the sample unit, and containing a plurality of separate, membrane-puncturable, sealed test reagent means; b) removing the probe means from the sterile chamber; c) collecting a test sample from a material or surface to be tested for sanitation; d) inserting the swab with the test sample back into the sterile chamber; e) threadably, longitudinally moving the cover with the swab and collected test sample in the sterile chamber, to puncture with the swab sequentially the plurality of membrane-sealed reagent means of a release solution and a buffer solution, and to permit the resulting admixed test sample with release solution and buffer solution, with a visible pH indicator, to contact a luciferin-luciferase composition, which provides a bioluminescent ATP test; f) threadably, longitudinally removing the swab from the test unit; and g) measuring the amount of bioluminescence in the test unit to determine the amount of ATP in the test sample.

Claim 23

A method for the bioluminescent determination of ATP in a test sample, which method consists essentially of: a) providing a glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit having an enclosed ATP-sterile chamber and a top cover with a probe means of a premoistened swab at one end within the chamber, and a transparent test unit at an other end of the sample unit, and containing a plurality of separate, membrane-puncturable, sealed test reagent means; b) removing the probe means from the sterile chamber; c) collecting a test sample from a material or surface to be tested for sanitation; d) inserting the swab with the test sample back into the sterile chamber; e) threadably, longitudinally moving the cover with the swab and collected test sample in the sterile chamber, to puncture with the swab sequentially the plurality of membrane-sealed reagent means of a release solution and a buffer solution, and to permit the resulting admixed test sample with release solution and buffer solution, with a visible pH indicator, to contact a luciferin-luciferase composition, which provides a bioluminescent ATP test; f) threadably, longitudinally removing the swab from the test unit; and g) measuring the amount of bioluminescence in the test unit to determine the amount of ATP in the test sample.