Cell culturing device
First Claim
1. A cell culturing device comprising:
- (a) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms;
(b) a porous membrane overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base and a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining growth of microorganisms in the growth area; and
(c) a lid that mates with the base to cover the membrane and the nutrient media.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention features devices and kits for capturing and culturing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) and methods of using the devices and kits to detect microorganisms in environmental and other samples. The device includes a nutrient media having a flat growth area on which microorganisms can grow. Samples are collected by contacting the device with any environmental sample, e.g., rolling device on a work surface or exposing device to air, or by filtering a sample through a membrane. Microorganisms deposited on the membrane derive nutrients from the underlying media and grow into colonies that can then be detected using methods known in the art. The detected colonies can be imaged digitally or with film.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A cell culturing device comprising:
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(a) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms; (b) a porous membrane overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base and a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining growth of microorganisms in the growth area; and (c) a lid that mates with the base to cover the membrane and the nutrient media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 31, 38)
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5. A cell culturing device comprising:
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(a) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base, wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining growth of microorganisms in the growth area, (b) a film overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the film and the nutrient media have a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and the film has an opening to expose a portion of the flat growth area, and (c) a lid that mates with the base to cover the nutrient media. - View Dependent Claims (6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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7. A kit for cell culturing comprising:
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(a) a cell culturing device comprising; (i) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base, wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining growth of microorganisms in the growth area, and (ii) a film overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the film and the nutrient media have a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and the film has an opening to expose a portion of the flat growth area; (b) a porous membrane configured for placement on the exposed portion of the flat growth area; and (c) a lid that mates with the base to cover the membrane and the nutrient media.
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36. A kit comprising:
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(a) a cell culturing device comprising; i) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms, and ii) a porous membrane overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base and a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining microorganisms in the growth area; (b) a protective lid attached to the base and preventing contamination by ingress of microorganisms, wherein the protective lid is separated from the membrane by an air gap; and (c) an optical lid attachable to the base when the protective lid is removed and comprising an optically clear material disposed to allow imaging of the growth area when attached to the base. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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37. A kit for cell culturing comprising:
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(a) a cell culturing device comprising; i) a base that contains nutrient media for microorganisms, wherein the nutrient media has a flat growth area raised above the base, wherein the nutrient media is capable of sustaining growth of microorganisms in the growth area, and ii) a film overlaying the nutrient media, wherein the film and the nutrient media have a circumferential area that slopes from the edge of the flat growth area to the base, and the film has an opening to expose a portion of the flat growth area, (b) a porous membrane configured for placement on the exposed portion of the flat growth area; (c) a protective lid attached to the base and preventing contamination by ingress of microorganisms, wherein the protective lid is separated from the growth area by an air gap; and (d) an optical lid attachable to the base when the protective lid is removed and comprising an optically clear material disposed to allow imaging of the growth area when attached to the base.
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Specification