Testing device for liquid and liquid suspended samples

• US 5,800,785 A
• Filed: 07/24/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biolog, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Biolog, Inc.
• Inventors: Bochner, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Pyon, Harold Y.
• Application Number:
  US08/685,695
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 422/99-104, 435/29, 435/287.7, 435/288.5, 435/300.1, 435/301.1
• US Class Current: 422/535
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0642 Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00148 Test cards, e.g. Biomerieux or McDonnel multiwell test cards

Abstract

Testing of samples in a small, closed, and easy-to-fill device. Simultaneous filling of a large number of test wells using a novel gas-venting design, allowing for multiparameter testing and/or identification of bacteria.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a testing region having a plurality of test wells contained within said housing;

c) a liquid receiving means at an external surface of said housing;

d) a liquid flow-directing means comprising channels providing liquid communication between said plurality of test wells and said liquid receiving means; and

e) a single gas-venting, liquid barrier comprising a hydrophobic membrane in fluidic communication with said testing region in contact with said test wells, wherein said hydrophobic membrane contains pores that permit passage of gas at positive pressure greater than 1 pound per square inch, but which blocks the passage of liquid at pressures less than 75 pounds per square inch.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said barrier material is selected from the group comprising polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvanilidine chloride, polyvanilidine difluoride, and polysulfone.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said barrier comprises hydrophobic material.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said material comprises expanded, sintered polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said testing region comprises one or more test wells.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said liquid flow-directing means comprises channels internal to said housing to each of said one or more test wells in said testing region.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said barrier is adapted to enclose at least a part of one of the sides of said one or more wells.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said barrier is a membrane.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said barrier is internal to said one or more wells.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein a conduit provides fluidic communication between said well and said barrier.

11. A testing device comprising:

a) a housing having a testing region;

b) a plurality of test wells containing a test formula comprising basal medium, one or more carbon sources, and a redox indicator disposed within said testing region;

c) a liquid receiving means at an external surface of said housing;

d) a liquid flow-directing means comprising channels internal to said housing providing liquid communication between said test wells and said liquid receiving means; and

e) a single gas-venting, liquid barrier comprising expanded, sintered polytetrafloroethylene in fluidic communication with said test wells, allowing for passage of gas at positive pressures greater than 1 pound per square inch, but blocking the passage of liquid at pressures less than 75 pounds per square inch.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said barrier comprises hydrophobic material.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said liquid receiving means comprises a liquid entry port.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said liquid entry port has internal grooves.

15. A testing device comprising:

a) a housing containing a plurality of test wells, each well containing at least one test chemical;

b) a liquid receiving means on an external surface of said housing;

c) a liquid delivering means providing liquid communication between said wells and said liquid receiving means; and

d) a gas-venting, liquid barrier comprising expanded, sintered polytetrafloroethylene in fluidic communication with said test wells, allowing for passage of gas at positive pressures greater than 1 pound per square inch, but blocking the passage of liquid at pressures less than 75 pounds per square inch.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said barrier is made of hydrophobic material.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said gas-venting liquid barrier is made of material which, when contacted by aqueous liquid, will seal itself against the passage of said aqueous liquid.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said barrier is a membrane.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein said membrane is adapted to enclose at least a part of one side of said wells.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a non-venting material, wherein said non-venting material is attached to said outer surface of said gas-venting barrier such that said device is sealed.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said non-venting material comprises plastic film.