Abstract: A device that includes at least two chambers separated by an activatable seal wherein upon activation of the seal the two chambers are in communication, and further wherein at least one chamber of the device includes a biological assay reagent and methods of using same.

Abstract: Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate are provided.

Abstract: A device that includes at least two chambers separated by an activatable seal wherein upon activation of the seal the two chambers are in communication, and further wherein at least one chamber of the device includes a biological assay reagent and methods of using same.

Abstract: A device that includes at least two chambers separated by an activatable seal wherein upon activation of the seal the two chambers are in communication, and further wherein at least one chamber of the device includes a biological assay reagent and methods of using same.

Abstract: Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate are provided.

Abstract: Methods of detecting bacteria including the use of an immobilized enzyme substrate, and the immobilized enzyme substrate.

Abstract: The use of a precipitable dye and a contrast-coloring dye together enhance visualization of plaques in confluent lawns of bacteria in bacteriophage and bacteria assays. A test sample suspected of containing a bacteriophage is combined with bacteria capable of replicating the bacteriophage, and applied to a water-proof surface to form a support for bacterial growth. The support is provided with the contrast-coloring dye and precipitable dye, and nutrients and salts capable of supporting growth of the bacteria. A lawn of bacteria is formed on the support, and plaques detected on the lawn indicate presence of the bacteriophage. The plaques contain a precipitate formed by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A similar procedure is used for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing a bacteria is combined with bacteriophage capable of replicating in the bacteria, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteria.

Abstract: Bacteria are detected in a test sample by contacting the test sample with a bacteriophage that is capable of replicating in the bacteria, adding the resultant sample to a water-proof surface of a support for bacterial growth that contains a contrast-coloring dye and a precipitable dye, forming a bacterial lawn of a bacteria in which the bacteriophage can replicate on the support and detecting plaques on the bacterial lawn as an indication of the presence of the bacteria. The combination of precipitable dye and contrast-coloring dye improves visualization of plaques. A precipitate is formed in plaques by enzymatic cleavage of the precipitable dye by an enzyme of the bacterial lawn. A procedure for detecting bacteriophage is similar to that for detecting bacteria, except that a test sample suspected of containing bacteriophage is combined with bacteria in which the bacteriophage can replicate, and plaques detected indicate presence of the bacteriophage.

Abstract: A closure and container assembly biological sterility indicator having a container, a closure, test spores, growth and indicator media, and a frangible barrier for separating the growth medium from the test spores is shown. The closure is moveable in the container between open and closed positions. When in the open position, sterilant may flow into and out of the container via a tortuous pathway defined by the interior surface of the container or the exterior surface of the closure. The tortuous pathway may also include one or more openings in the wall of the closure. When the closure is in the closed position, the container is sealed. The sterility indicator may be assembled with the test spores impregnated on a spore strip which is placed in close proximity to the closure.