Abstract: The device includes means for holding a support (19) adapted to retain microorganisms in a predetermined position in which a first face (10) of said support (19) is in a first predetermined location and a second face (11) of said support (19) is in a second predetermined location, a station (2) for spraying onto said support (19) a reagent for revealing the presence of ATP by luminescence, said station (2) facing said first location, and a station (4) for measuring said luminescence opposite the spraying station and facing said second location. The method includes the step of procuring a device of the above kind, the step of disposing said support (19) at said predetermined location, the step of spraying said reagent onto said support (19) and, simultaneously with the spraying step, the step of measuring the quantity of light emitted in response to said reagent.

Abstract: The method of fast microbiological analysis of a support adapted to retain microorganisms includes the step of selecting a reagent adapted to reveal the presence of ATP, the step of acting on said microorganisms to render the ATP of said microorganisms accessible to said reagent, then the step of depositing on said support said reagent adapted to reveal the presence of ATP, and the step of detecting the response of said support to said reagent, said method including, prior to the step of acting on said microorganisms, a preprocessing step including a step of selecting a reagent adapted to consume unwanted ATP present on said support, and, successively, the step of depositing said reagent adapted to consume ATP on said support and the step of eliminating said reagent adapted to consume ATP when the unwanted ATP has been consumed.

Abstract: The method includes the step of selecting a reagent adapted to reveal the presence of ATP by luminescence, the step of depositing said reagent on a support adapted to retain microorganisms and the step of detecting the response of said support to said reagent; said detection step includes the step (90) of recording the quantity of light emitted by said support as a function of time from a time t1 before a time t0 at which said deposition step is carried out to a time t2 after said time t0, the step (91) of extrapolating, from said recorded quantity of light, to the quantity of light as a function of time that would have been emitted by said support without the deposition of said reagent, and the step (92) of determining from said recorded quantity of light and from said extrapolated quantity of light a set of values representative of the quantity of light emitted only as a result of bringing said reagent into contact with the ATP.

Abstract: The device includes means for holding a support (19) adapted to retain microorganisms in a predetermined position in which a first face (10) of said support (19) is in a first predetermined location and a second face (11) of said support (19) is in a second predetermined location, a station (2) for spraying onto said support (19) a reagent for revealing the presence of ATP by luminescence, said station (2) facing said first location, and a station (4) for measuring said luminescence opposite the spraying station and facing said second location. The method includes the step of procuring a device of the above kind, the step of disposing said support (19) at said predetermined location, the step of spraying said reagent onto said support (19) and, simultaneously with the spraying step, the step of measuring the quantity of light emitted in response to said reagent.

Abstract: The peristaltic pump (1) comprises: a sensor (53, 57) of the force exerted between the bearing member (19) and the counter-member (24) between which a tube (6) is held; and a processing unit comprising means for determining, from the signal supplied by the sensor (53, 57), if predetermined conditions indicative of correct positioning of the tube (6) between the bearing member (19) and the counter-member (24) have been satisfied.