Apparatus for collecting cultures

• US 4,409,988 A
• Filed: 10/01/1979
• Issued: 10/18/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald J. Greenspan
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Greenspan
• Inventors: Greenspan, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lesmes, George F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swisher, Nancy A. B.
• Application Number:
  US06/080,551
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 128/759, 128/269, 435/294, 435/295, 215/3, 206/210, 206/569, 206/363, 206/438, 206/15.2, 206/15.3, 206/606, 206/613, 206/623, 206/828
• US Class Current: 600/572
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/38 Swabs having a stick-type handle, e.g. cotton tips ear cleaners other than cotton tips A61F11/006; swabs containing a liquid, e.g. in a rupturable reservoir, A61M35/006
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/185 Long distance transport, e.g. mailing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0638 membrane valves, flap valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0694 vents used to stop and induce flow, backpressure valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5029 using swabs
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/32 Frangible parts
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 33/02 by impregnation, e.g. using swabs or loops fluid transport using swabs B01L3/5029
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 45/22 Means for packing or storing viable microorganisms casings for storing cell samples A61B10/0096, preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/24 Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising

Abstract

A swab is packaged in a tube having an open end and containing a culture-sustaining or bacteria identification liquid at the bottom of a tube, and a plug including a one-way isolating valve located above the liquid and a barrier member forming a leak-proof chamber between the plug and the barrier member. After removal of the swab from the tube and swabbing of a body canal or the like with the absorbent tip of the swab, the swab may be placed back in the tube with the absorbent tip adjacent the plug and within the substantially air-tight chamber. The plug may then be forced downwardly through the liquid by pressing on the end of the swab or another rigid member telescoped within the tube so as to force the liquid up through the valve into contact with the absorbent tip. A closure or cap which may be used to press on the end of the stick or the rigid member then forms a seal at the open end of the tube.

Claims

1. Apparatus for collecting cultures, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a hollow tubular container having a closed end, an open end and sides extending therebetween;

(b) a culture-sustaining medium position within said tubular container adjacent said closed ends;

(c) a swab including an elongated member and an absorbent tip, said swab extending into said container; and

(d) a movable piston means extending the cross tubular member and adapt to form a seal with said sides, said piston means being movable through said culture-sustaining medium toward said closed end when said swab is in pushing contact with said piston means, said piston means including valve means for allowing said culture-sustaining medium to flow through said valve means from a position adjacent said closed end through and into contact with said absorbent tip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said piston means comprises a chamber receiving at least a portion of said absorbent tip.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said chamber includes an opening through which said absorbent tip may pass.