Specimen transport device containing a specimen stabilizing composition
First Claim
1. An apparatus for the collection and treatment of microorganisms in a specimen comprising:
- (a) a container of generally elongated shape having a first end and a second end;
(b) a piston slidably mounted in said container;
(c) a shaft attached to said piston and extending through said first end, said shaft includes a narrow portion causing said shaft to break at said narrow portion when said shaft is bent;
(d) a detachable cap removably attached to said second endsaid cap, said container and said piston forming a sealed chamber, in which the pressure in the chamber may be decreased by moving said piston toward said first end;
said cap being puncturable for insertion of said specimen, and;
(e) a water-soluble specimen transport system deposited in said container, said specimen transport system comprising a water-soluble additive at a concentration effective to prevent replication of microorganisms present in said specimen, when said specimen is mixed with said water additive therein to form a solution, and reducing the cidal activity toward said microorganisms of antimicrobial factors present in said specimen so that at least some microorganisms will be capable of replication upon dilution of said solution on medium capable of supporting replication of said microorganisms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The improvement of specimen quality for microbial analysis is addressed by the present invention which discloses a chemical composition for use in a method and apparatus for transporting a specimen suspected to contain microorganisms of interest to a laboratory for analysis and improved methods of analysis.
A device and method for taking, storing, and preserving fluid samples is disclosed comprising a container and a composition designed to maintain the level of microorganisms present in a specimen during transportation of the specimen to a testing facility.
The method and apparatus can be utilized on all types of aqueous specimens and specimens which may be extracted in aqueous solution for analysis of microorganisms therein.
151 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for the collection and treatment of microorganisms in a specimen comprising:
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(a) a container of generally elongated shape having a first end and a second end; (b) a piston slidably mounted in said container; (c) a shaft attached to said piston and extending through said first end, said shaft includes a narrow portion causing said shaft to break at said narrow portion when said shaft is bent; (d) a detachable cap removably attached to said second end said cap, said container and said piston forming a sealed chamber, in which the pressure in the chamber may be decreased by moving said piston toward said first end; said cap being puncturable for insertion of said specimen, and; (e) a water-soluble specimen transport system deposited in said container, said specimen transport system comprising a water-soluble additive at a concentration effective to prevent replication of microorganisms present in said specimen, when said specimen is mixed with said water additive therein to form a solution, and reducing the cidal activity toward said microorganisms of antimicrobial factors present in said specimen so that at least some microorganisms will be capable of replication upon dilution of said solution on medium capable of supporting replication of said microorganisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for the collection and treatment of microorganisms in a specimen comprising:
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(a) a container of generally elongated shape having a first end and a second end; (b) a piston slidably mounted in said container; (c) a shaft attached to said piston and extending through said first end, said shaft being detachably connected to said piston by complementary thread means; (d) a detachable cap removably attached to said second end said cap, said container and said piston forming a sealed chamber, in which the pressure in the chamber may be decreased by moving said piston toward said first end; said cap being puncturable for insertion of said specimen, and; (e) a water-soluble specimen transport system deposited in said container, said specimen transport system comprising a water-soluble additive at a concentration effective to prevent replication of microorganisms present in said specimen, when said specimen is mixed with said water additive therein to form a solution, and reducing the cidal activity toward said microorganisms of antimicrobial factors present in said specimen so that at least some microorganisms will be capable of replication upon dilution of said solution on medium capable of supporting replication of said microorganisms. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification