Flexible Culture Medium Bag Containing Nutrient Concentrate

• US 20080268446A1
• Filed: 04/04/2006
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridget W. Andaloro, Donna Lynn Visioli, James P. Kane, John Carl Steichen, Siqun Wang
• Original Assignee: Bridget W. Andaloro, Donna Lynn Visioli, James P. Kane, John Carl Steichen, Siqun Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Siqun, Visioli, Donna Lynn, Steichen, John Carl, Kane, James P., Andaloro, Bridget W.
• Application Number:
  US11/887,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20080268446A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/6
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/14 Bags
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/34 Internal compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/04 Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor C12Q1/6897 takes precedence

Abstract

Disclosed is a culture medium container such as a bag comprising a main compartment and a locus of containment that contains a nutrient concentrate until it is released at the time of use. The locus of containment may comprise separated compartments defined by frangible seals or seals comprising a water-reactive material. Sachets comprising frangible seals or a water-reactive material are also suitable for the locus of containment. Matrices and coatings comprising water-reactive material are also suitable. Capsules that can be pulverized and/or dissolved may also be used.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A bag comprising (a) a first sheet of polymeric film;

(b) a second sheet of polymeric film;

(c) one locus of containment within the bag; and

optionally (d) one or more additional loci of containment wherein the second sheet is superimposed on the first sheet;

the first sheet and second sheet are sealed to each other directly, or indirectly through an intervening polymeric film, thereby defining a sealed perimeter forming a closed bag;

the locus optionally comprises a nutrient concentrate;

each of the additional loci optionally comprises an additive; and

the bag is hermetically sealed around the perimeter to fully enclose the interior of the bag, which optionally includes a resealable closure.

16. The bag of claim 15 wherein the locus comprises at least one frangible seal internal to the perimeter dividing the closed bag into separated compartments or comprises a sachet comprising a nutrient concentrate;

one of the separated compartments or the sachet comprises a nutrient concentrate;

the sachet is optionally made of flexible film and at least a portion of the sachet comprises a water-reactive polymeric material;

locus optionally comprises a coating of water-reactive polymeric material applied to the nutrient concentrate; and

the frangible seal optionally comprises a water-reactive material.

17. The bag of claim 15 wherein the locus comprises a powder, granule, pellet, sheet, or plaque comprising a matrix of water-reactive polymeric material in which the nutrient concentrate is mixed.

18. The bag of claim 16 wherein the locus comprises a powder, granule, pellet, sheet, or plaque comprising a matrix of water-reactive polymeric material in which the nutrient concentrate is mixed.

19. The bag of claim 18 wherein the nutrient medium is formed into a pellet, sheet, or plaque before the application of the coating of water-reactive polymeric material.

20. The bag of claim 15 wherein the locus or one of the additional loci comprises a tablet or capsule capable of being pulverized and/or dissolved during a homogenizing process.

21. The bag of claim 18 wherein the locus or one of the additional loci comprises a tablet or capsule capable of being pulverized and/or dissolved during a homogenizing process.

22. The bag of claim 19 wherein the locus or one of the additional loci comprises a tablet or capsule capable of being pulverized and/or dissolved during a homogenizing process.

23. The bag of claim 17 comprising the additional loci of containment wherein one additional locus comprises an antibiotic and the additive is indicator compound, dye, quencher, fixative, reagent for extraction or detection of microorganisms, or combinations of two or more thereof;

and the reagent is pure or comprises one or more other additives, diluents, phages, components derived from phages, antibodies, poly-histamines, maltose-binding domains, affinity peptides, aptomers, biotins, streptoavidins, or other affinity molecules;

the reagent is in the form of liquid, gel, paste, dry powder, granule, or other free-flowable form.

24. The bag of claim 21 comprising the additional loci of containment wherein one additional locus comprises an antibiotic and the additive is indicator compound, dye, quencher, fixative, reagent for extraction or detection of microorganisms, or combinations of two or more thereof;

and the reagent is pure or comprises one or more other additives, diluents, phages, components derived from phages, antibodies, poly-histamines, maltose-binding domains, affinity peptides, aptomers, biotins, streptoavidins, or other affinity molecules;

the reagent is in the form of liquid, gel, paste, dry powder, granule, or other free-flowable form.

25. The bag of claim 22 comprising the additional loci of containment wherein one additional locus comprises an antibiotic and the additive is indicator compound, dye, quencher, fixative, reagent for extraction or detection of microorganisms, or combinations of two or more thereof;

and the reagent is pure or comprises one or more other additives, diluents, phages, components derived from phages, antibodies, poly-histamines, maltose-binding domains, affinity peptides, aptomers, biotins, streptoavidins, or other affinity molecules;

the reagent is in the form of liquid, gel, paste, dry powder;

granule, or other free-flowable form.

26. The bag of claim 24 wherein reagent for extraction or detection of microorganisms is immobilized on a solid support comprising magnetic particles or paramagnetic particles.

27. The bag of claim 25 wherein reagent for extraction or detection of microorganisms is immobilized on a solid support comprising magnetic particles or paramagnetic particles.

28. The bag of claim 23 comprising a guiding means for facilitating the opening of the bag for adding a culture sample wherein the guiding means optionally comprises at least one notch, perforation or a combination thereof incorporated in the bag near the top seal.

29. The bag of claim 27 comprising a guiding means for facilitating the opening of the bag for adding a culture sample wherein the guiding means optionally comprises at least one notch, perforation or a combination thereof incorporated in the bag near the top seal.

30. The bag of claim 28 comprising a gusseted base permitting the bag to stand upright when filled.

31. The bag of claim 29 comprising a gusseted base permitting the bag to stand upright when filled.