System for detecting bacterial growth in a plurality of culture vials
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring bacterial growth in a plurality of sample vials comprising the steps of:
- (1) disposing a plurality of sample vials in a bacterial growth detection system;
(2) positioning a bacterial growth detection station on a moving frame mounted in said bacterial growth detection system, said bacterial growth detection station being capable of gathering information for making a determination of whether each of said vials is experiencing bacterial growth;
(3) moving said bacterial growth detection station adjacent to each of said vials, and making a determination of whether the particular vial is experiencing bacterial growth;
(4) providing said bacterial growth detection station with the capability of gathering a first and second type of information for making a determination of whether each of said vials is experiencing bacterial growth, wherein said second type of information is provided by a sensor in each of said vials; and
(5) providing said bacterial growth detection station with a first light radiation source at a first location, a detector at a second location spaced from said first location by a first distance, and a pair of light stubs spaced by a distance which approximates said first distance and positioned adjacent to each of said vials, and directing said first light radiation into one of said stubs, and the other of said stubs directing a reflected radiation out of a sample vial and into said detector to provide said first type of information with regard to whether the sample vial is experiencing bacterial growth.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting the presence of bacterial growth in a plurality of sample vials incorporates a single test station moveable along each of the plurality of sample vials. In one embodiment, the sensor station is movably mounted on a rod, and that rod is movably mounted on a pair of spaced rods. The rod which carries the test station may move along the spaced rods to change the location of the test station in a first dimension and the test station is moveable along its rod to change location in a second dimension. In this way, the test station may be moved through two dimensions to move serially to the location of each of the plurality of sample vials. In another aspect of this invention, a bar code is associated with each of the sample vials, and the test station makes a reading of that bar code concurrent with a determination being made as to whether there is any bacterial growth in the sample vial. In this way, it is ensured that the results of the evaluation of whether bacterial growth is ongoing will be associated with the proper sample vial. In a third aspect of this invention, the sample vial incorporates a plurality of distinct types of bacterial sensors. Thus, the advantages of each of several types of bacterial sensors may be incorporated into a single sample vial.
238 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring bacterial growth in a plurality of sample vials comprising the steps of:
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(1) disposing a plurality of sample vials in a bacterial growth detection system; (2) positioning a bacterial growth detection station on a moving frame mounted in said bacterial growth detection system, said bacterial growth detection station being capable of gathering information for making a determination of whether each of said vials is experiencing bacterial growth; (3) moving said bacterial growth detection station adjacent to each of said vials, and making a determination of whether the particular vial is experiencing bacterial growth; (4) providing said bacterial growth detection station with the capability of gathering a first and second type of information for making a determination of whether each of said vials is experiencing bacterial growth, wherein said second type of information is provided by a sensor in each of said vials; and (5) providing said bacterial growth detection station with a first light radiation source at a first location, a detector at a second location spaced from said first location by a first distance, and a pair of light stubs spaced by a distance which approximates said first distance and positioned adjacent to each of said vials, and directing said first light radiation into one of said stubs, and the other of said stubs directing a reflected radiation out of a sample vial and into said detector to provide said first type of information with regard to whether the sample vial is experiencing bacterial growth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of identifying and monitoring bacterial growth in a sample vial comprising the steps of:
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(1) placing a bar code on each of a plurality of sample vials, said bar code containing information with regard to each of said sample vial; (2) mounting said plurality of sample vials within a bacterial growth detection system; (3) positioning a detection station in said bacterial growth detection system to read said bar code from each sample vial and detect whether each sample vial is experiencing bacterial growth, wherein said detection station is mounted on a moving frame which is moved serially along said plurality of sample vials; (4) providing said detection station with the capability of gathering a first and second type of information for making a determination of whether each of said vials is experiencing bacterial growth, wherein said second type of information is provided by a sensor in each of said vials; and (5) providing said detection station with a first light radiation source at a first location, a detector at a second location spaced from said first location by a first distance, and a pair of light stubs spaced by a distance which approximates said first distance and positioned adjacent to each of said vials, and directing said first light radiation into one of said stubs, and the other of said stubs directing a reflected radiation out of a sample vial and into said detector to provide said first type of information with regard to whether the sample vial is experiencing bacterial growth. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification