Modular method and device for the evaluation of the ability of biocide to penetrate biofilm

• US 5,605,836 A
• Filed: 06/13/1995
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chen, Chin-Yu, Woan-Jiun Swei
• Original Assignee: Chen, Chin-Yu, Woan-Jiun Swei
• Inventors: Chen, Chin-Yu, Swei, Woan-Jiun
• Primary Examiner(s): Redding, David A.
• Application Number:
  US08/489,794
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 435/305.1, 435/305.4, 435/288.3, 435/31, 435/287.4, 422/102
• US Class Current: 435/305.4
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/10 Petri dish crystallising dishes B01L3/06
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 23/38 Caps; Covers; Plugs; Pouring means
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 25/06 Plates; Walls; Drawers; Multilayer plates
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/36 of biomass, e.g. colony counters or by turbidity measurements electrooptical investigation of individual particles G01N15/14, flow cytometers G01N15/1404

Abstract

A thickness modular device for use in the evaluation of the ability of a biocide to penetrate biofilms of varying thicknesses is disclosed. It comprises: (a) a petri dish including a horizontal base and a continuous sidewall mending vertically from the base; (b) a dish cover including a flat base with a top and underside for closing the dish; (c) an internal thickness module having a flat top and bottom surface and being positioned adjacent the horizontal base for producing depressions on a surface of a biofilm; and (d) a locking member for connecting in a locking relation the dish cover with the internal thickness module.

Claims

1. A thickness modular device used in the evaluation of the ability of biocide to penetrate biofilms of varying thicknesses comprising:

a petri dish including a horizontal base and a continuous sidewall extending vertically from the base;

a dish cover including a flat base with a top surface and underside surface for closing the dish;

an internal thickness module having a flat top and bottom surface and being positioned adjacent the horizontal base for producing depressions on a surface of a biofilm;

a locking means for connecting in a locking relation the dish cover with the internal thickness module.

2. A thickness modular device as defined in claim 1 wherein

the locking means is constructed such that the internal thickness module and the dish cover are connected and disconnected in locking relation through rotation of the module or the cover, and wherein the locking means is positioned off of the geometric center of the module and the cover.

3. A thickness modular device as defined in claim 1 wherein

the locking means comprises a first and second part, the first part including a female locking mechanism attached to the underside surface of the dish cover, the second part including a male locking mechanism attached to the top surface of the module.

4. A thickness modular device as defined in claim 1 wherein

the thickness module further includes a surface extending vertically from the edge of the top surface forming a lip, and a plurality of rod-shaped protrusions of the same length or of different lengths extending from the bottom surface of said module.

5. A thickness modular device as defined in claim 4 wherein

the plurality of the rod-shaped protrusions are constructed in the form of circular rods.