Abstract: A sampling device and a method for taking samples. The sampling device includes a cap having two ends and a collection sponge attached on one end, wherein a collection sponge diameter is greater than a collection sponge height. A lid is removably attached to a first end of the cap to cover the collection sponge; and a bowl is removably attached to a second and opposite end of the cap. The bowl can contain an enrichment broth.

Abstract: A sampling device and a method for taking samples. The sampling device includes a cap having two ends and a collection sponge attached on one end, wherein a collection sponge diameter is greater than a collection sponge height. A lid is removably attached to a first end of the cap to cover the collection sponge; and a bowl is removably attached to a second and opposite end of the cap. The bowl can contain an enrichment broth.

Abstract: A collection broth used for recovering microorganisms on a surface is provided. The collection broth includes a buffering system and a neutralization system. All components of the collection broth are both food-grade and hypoallergenic.

Abstract: A swab for obtaining a biological surface sample has a shaft extending from a first side of a cap. A first test tube can be coupled to the first side of the cap in a detachable watertight fit, to enclose the swab. A second tube can be coupled to a second side of the cap in a manually detachable watertight fit. The first tube or the swab can include a collection solution; the second tube can be used as a handle to extend the reach of the swab when the first tube is detached; and the second tube can contain an enrichment broth and/or developer solution for the collected sample.

Abstract: A container body has a closed bottom and a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior for receipt of desired contents. A cap for the container has a depression constructed and arranged to fit tightly over a top rim of the container body to seal the contents within the hollow interior. The cap can be pried upward to an open position to allow access to the hollow interior. An opening tab hinged to the cap normally extends downward alongside the container body when the cap is closed, but is swingable upward to a horizontal orientation. The tab and cap have cooperating abutments that limit further upward swinging of the tab relative to the cap such that the tab can be used to pry the cap open.

Abstract: A collection broth used for recovering microorganisms on a surface is provided. The collection broth includes a buffering system and a neutralization system. All components of the collection broth are both food-grade and hypoallergenic.

Abstract: A container body has a closed bottom and a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior for receipt of desired contents. A cap for the container has a depression constructed and arranged to fit tightly over a top rim of the container body to seal the contents within the hollow interior. The cap can be pried upward to an open position to allow access to the hollow interior. An opening tab hinged to the cap normally extends downward alongside the container body when the cap is closed, but is swingable upward to a horizontal orientation. The tab and cap have cooperating abutments that limit further upward swinging of the tab relative to the cap such that the tab can be used to pry the cap open.

Abstract: A container body has a closed bottom and a peripheral wall defining a hollow interior for receipt of desired contents. A cap for the container has a depression constructed and arranged to fit tightly over a top rim of the container body to seal the contents within the hollow interior. The cap can be pried upward to an open position to allow access to the hollow interior. An opening tab hinged to the cap normally extends downward alongside the container body when the cap is closed, but is swingable upward to a horizontal orientation. The tab and cap have cooperating abutments that limit further upward swinging of the tab relative to the cap such that the tab can be used to pry the cap open.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a sampling device for collecting samples having a detachable handle with a threaded portion. The device for collecting samples is further provided having a connecting head with a receiving member whereby the receiving member detachably engages the threaded portion of the handle. An absorbent material is placed about the connecting head wherein the absorbent material is a single piece of generally rectangular material folded at a distal edge of the connecting head and adhered through at least one aperture of the connecting head. The detachable handle with the threaded portion is releasably attached to a connecting head with an absorbent material by rotating the detachable handle into the connecting head in a clockwise direction. The user can rotate the handle in a counter-clockwise direction and easily release the handle from the connecting head with the absorbent material into the collection bag.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a sampling device for collecting samples having a detachable handle with a threaded portion. The device for collecting samples is further provided having a connecting head with a receiving member whereby the receiving member detachably engages the threaded portion of the handle. An absorbent material is placed about the connecting head wherein the absorbent material is a single piece of generally rectangular material folded at a distal edge of the connecting head and adhered through at least one aperture of the connecting head. The detachable handle with the threaded portion is releasably attached to a connecting head with an absorbent material by rotating the detachable handle into the connecting head in a clockwise direction. The user can rotate the handle in a counter-clockwise direction and easily release the handle from the connecting head with the absorbent material into the collection bag.

Abstract: A placement component rapidly moves individual bag blanks from a pack or magazine to a conveyor system in uniformly spaced relationship. Each bag blank has opposite surfaces. While the conveyor system continues to move the bags, opening tabs are automatically applied to opposite surfaces of each bag, followed by high speed application and cutting of sideways extending flexible closure strips. The bag blanks are moved continuously from the placement component to the high speed cutting section, as compared to incremental movement, for high speed manufacturing of specialized bags.

Abstract: The body of a sterile collection bag has opposed sidewalls and an upper body end. The interior of the body defines a sterile collection space for an object. First and second flexible closure strips having integrated centrally located wires are attached to the bag sidewalls and extend beyond the side wall edges. The upper end of the body includes one or more small notches cut into the body sidewalls to facilitate tearing of the upper body end from the bag body, with abrupt edges of the strips acting as tear guides. Pull tabs attached to the closure strips can be drawn apart to open the mouth of the bag for insertion of a sample.

Abstract: A sampling device (10) is provided having an elongate handle (12) with a distal paddle head (14). An absorbent material (20) is placed about the paddle head, and a score line (18) is located along the handle at a location adjacent the padded head. A method of use is provided in which the paddle head (14) and absorbent material (20) are inserted into a flexible wall sample bag. The head is then grasped from the exterior of the sample bag so as to avoid direct contact with the absorbent material. The handle is then broken away from the head at the handle score line. The absorbent material (20) is preferably sized to encompass the exposed score line after the paddle head (14) is snapped from the handle (12).

Abstract: The invention is a prefilled culture medium bag with a gusseted base that is capable of standing in an upright position. The prefilled culture medium bag can be sterilized by irradiation. Or alternatively, the culture medium can be sterilized apart from the bag and subsequently placed inside the bag after the bag has been sterilized. In either case, the end product is a pre-sterilized and prefilled culture medium bag delivered to a laboratory for use. The culture medium bag is self-supporting and takes on the characteristics of a rigid container when filled. The culture medium bag is easy to open and reseal for introduction of a culture sample at the laboratory. After introduction, a sample can be incubated within the culture medium bag.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using flexible packaging in connection with incubating a sample in a liquid culture medium. A flexible, gusseted bag is first presterilized by irradiation. Then, the bag is prefilled with a presterilized liquid culture medium. The bag is self-supporting and takes on the characteristics of a rigid container when filled. Prefilling and sterilizing it enables it to be shipped to a laboratory. The bag is easy to open and reseal for introduction of a culture sample at the laboratory. After introduction, the sample is incubated in the bag.

Abstract: A sterile collection bag and method of opening using wire mechanisms. The bag includes a body and an opening mechanism. The body is formed of opposed side walls and an upper body end. The interior of the body defines a sterile collection space for an object. The opening mechanism includes first and second flexible metal strips each having a first end, a second end, and a mid-section. The mid-section of each metal strip is attached to the center section of a side wall. The metal strips are longer than the width of the body so as to extend beyond the side wall edges. The ends of the metal strips are unattached to one another. In one embodiment, the upper end of the body includes an opening. In another embodiment, the body includes a lateral tear line located below the body upper end, with the opening mechanism located below the tear line.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using flexible packaging in connection with incubating a sample in a liquid culture medium. A flexible, gusseted bag is first presterilized by irradiation. Then, the bag is prefilled with a presterilized liquid culture medium. The bag is self-supporting and takes on the characteristics of a rigid container when filled. Prefilling and sterilizing it enables it to be shipped to a laboratory. The bag is easy to open and reseal for introduction of a culture sample at the laboratory. After introduction, the sample is incubated in the bag.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method for testing for the presence of a particular microorganism or group of microorganisms characterized by a particular enzyme. The method uses a dye-forming substrate throughout a polymer matrix or on the surface of a solid support member that forms a colored precipitate when cleaved by the enzyme. The precipitate is concentrated to the polymer matrix and/or solid support member to create a visible reaction product, wherein the amount of dye-forming substrate needed is independent of the sample size. The present invention further comprises an enzyme indicator device comprising a dye-forming substrate throughout a polymer system or on the surface of a solid support member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and a device for detecting and measuring (1) the amount of enzyme present as a detecting system following a nucleic acid hybridization reaction or immunoreaction; (2) the level and activity of free enzyme in a biological sample; (3) the level of enzyme from contaminating microorganisms present in a sample; and (4) enzymes from pure culture isolates for microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus, a device, and a method using the inventive device and apparatus for the sequential enrichment of a particular microorganism to a threshold level to allow for its detection. The use of the apparatus for sequential microbial enrichment shortens the time period normally spent to enrich samples to permit the growth of enough microorganisms to detect the particular microorganism(s) of interest. The invention eliminates the need for multiple manual transfers of potentially biohazardous materials.