Abstract: Method and apparatus for the microbiological testing of liquids to identify and count living microorganisms contained therein includes a tubular sleeve for collecting the liquid sample to which there is attached at one end a microporous membrane filter. Each end of the sleeve has the shape of a female receptacle portion where into one end a container housing a culture medium can be nested by force for applying the medium to the underside of the filter and where into the other end a cover can be nested to provide a substantially tight sealing of the device. Preferably, the tubular sleeve is in the form of a bellows the convolutions of which can be either compressed or expanded to correspondingly alter the volume of the sleeve between minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the sterility of fluids consisting of at least one hermetically sealed test container formed from a top portion, a bottom portion, a filter holder and a test filter. The filter is formed entirely from a hydrophilic material. The filter holder and test filter are welded to the top and bottom portions by a pressure-tight and vacuum-tight connection. Fluid is passed through the apparatus and through the test filter to deposit any microorganisms on the filter. Lateral bypass of fluid around the periphery of the test filter is eliminated.

Abstract: According to the method of aseptic and antiparticulate opening of a sealed glass ampul, one end of the ampul is submitted to a powerful thermal flux produced by flame tongue generating sources on a very localized zone for a time period sufficient to obtain melting of the glass while maintaining the adjacent portion thereof at lower temperature for preserving its rigidity, such time period being the shorter the smaller that volume of gas contained in the ampul which is quickly brought to an increased temperature and pressure to cause the ampul to be opened up in the considered molten zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the sterility of the contents of a syringe and the sterility of the internal and external surfaces of a needle connected to the syringe or the contents of a syringe and the sterility of the tip of the syringe nipple (in those cases where the syringe is not fitted with a needle). The needle is inserted into a tube by penetrating a small hole in an adaptor connected to one end of the tube. The adaptor includes a recess so that the syringe and needle can be stably positioned relative to the tube. The tube includes a liquid outlet adjacent to the adaptor so that the liquid contents of the syringe exiting from the needle washes the outside surface of the needle or the tip of the syringe needle before leaving the tube. The liquid leaving the tube is cultured and incubated to determine whether microorganisms are present therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the sterility of the dry contents of a sterile ampoule. A dual channel needle is inserted into the container and a dissolving solution is injected into the ampoule to form a solution. A rinsing solution is circulated into the interior of the apparatus to remove that solution which is then directed to means for culturing and incubating a filtrate of the solution to determine whether microorganisms are present therein. The needle is retained by hand into the ampoule and held by the cap of the closed transfer chamber during rinsing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing of solutions, such as antibiotic solutions to determine the presence of microorganisms, in which the solution is flowed through a plastic cylinder having a microporous membrane filter which strains microorganisms from the solution and concentrates them on the filter and thereafter the cylinder is flushed with a sterile solution, followed by filling the cylinder with an appropriate growth culture medium with the filter being vented, during this step, through a vent having a hydrophobic filter to prevent intake of bacteria. The presence of microorganisms in the original solution to be tested is determined by visual observation of the turbidity of the growth solution after an appropriate incubation period at suitable temperature. Where more than one microorganism is being tested for, aliquots of the test solution are flowed into identical plastic cylinders. The cylinders are intended to be disposables constructed economically enough to be thrown away after each test.