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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a particular motile organism within a sample are disclosed. The sample may be derived from dry milk, raw meat, poultry or a clinical specimen. A preferred method of using the device includes inoculating a selective enrichment medium containing a chemotactic attractant with the sample and contacting the selective enrichment medium with a nonselective motility medium containing a chemotactic attractant in a concentration less than the attractant concentration in the selective enrichment medium. Upon incubation, the motile organism metabolizes the chemotactic attractant, allowing the organism to move into the motility medium where it interacts with antibodies specific for the organism, thereby causing the formation of a persistent immobilization band. The device is particularly useful in detecting Salmonella.This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 773,201, filed Sep. 9, 1985 and issued as U.S. Pat. NO. 4,920,063 on Apr.

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.

Abstract: Methods and associated devices for detecting the presence of a particular motile organism within a sample are disclosed. The sample may be derived from dry milk, raw meat, poultry or a clinical specimen. A preferred method includes inoculating a selective enrichment medium containing a chemotactic attractant with the sample and contacting the selective enrichment medium with a nonselective motility medium containing a chemotatic attractant in a concentration less than the attractant concentration in the selective enrichment medium. Upon incubation, the motile organism metabolizes the chemotactic attractant, allowing the organism to move into the motility medium where it interacts with antibodies specific for the organism, thereby causing the formation of a persistent immobilization band. The methods are particularly useful in detecting Salmonella.

Abstract: A device is adapted for containing a volume of growth medium and employed for detection of gas produced by a microorganism or microorganisms putatively contained within a test sample and added to the growth medium, comprising a primary chamber, a dome defined by the top surface of the primary chamber and communicating therewith, the dome establishing a fluid level and adapted for collection of gas produced by a microorganism within the growth medium, and a fill section adjacent to and communicating with one end of the primary chamber, the fill section spaced apart from the dome and extending above the fluid level, and further defining an opening for the addition of a test sample. The device may be sealed by means of a removable closure. An apparatus also consists of an array of substantially identical devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motility-immunoimmobilization method permits the detection of a particular motile organism, such as Salmonella, in a sample.