Abstract: The present invention provides a detection article including at least one fluid control film layer having at least one microstructured major surface with a plurality of microchannels therein. The microchannels are configured for uninterrupted fluid flow of a fluid sample throughout the article. The film layer includes an acquisition zone for drawing the fluid sample into the plurality of microchannels at least by spontaneous fluid transport. The film layer also includes a detection zone having at least one detection element that facilitates detection of a characteristic of the fluid sample within at least one microchannel of the detection zone.

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: Media, devices and methods using ballasted pH indicators to detect and enumerate bacterial colonies in a sample are described. The ballasted pH indicators limit the diffusion of the indicator or fluorescent indicator zones associated with the growing microbial colonies in the medium. In addition, the ballasting of certain typically toxic indicators may render these indicators harmless to bacteria without adversely affecting their pH indicating ability.

Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A method for partitioning an aqueous biological liquid sample into discrete microvolumes for detection and enumeration of microorganisms is described. The method involves distributing microvolumes of a sample to a plurality of hydrophilic liquid-retaining zones of a culture device, where each liquid-retaining zone is surrounded by a portion of a hydrophobic “land” area. Also disclosed are devices for carrying out these methods.

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: An apparatus for counting microorganism colonies on at least on disposable microorganism culturing medium having a substantially planar substrate. The apparatus has an imaging system for detecting colonies on the substantially planar substrate, and a holder positioning device for storing and queuing one or more holders, each adapted to support one of the substrates. The positioning device moves the holders sequentially into a predetermined position relative to the imaging system so that images can be obtained. The imaging system cooperates with a counting device for counting the colonies using information from several images provided by the imaging system taken at different times as the positioning device cycles the holders past the predetermined location to be imaged. Suitable holders, and a method of queuing and counting colonies on substrates, are also disclosed.