Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for carrying out simultaneously multiple analyses in a liquid medium. The device comprises a compartment for introducing liquid, communicating through a distribution channel with separate analysis compartments. Each analysis compartment is provided with valve-forming means, such as a ball, isolating the liquid contained in the analysis compartment from the liquid remaining in the distribution channel. The device is particularly suitable for microbiological analyses.

Abstract: A container for growing anaerobic microorganisms having a cone-shaped dish and matching cone-shaped cover that define between them a prescribed volume. An overflow trough surrounds the dish, and the peripheries of the dish and cover seal together by excess agar medium carrying the organisms squeezed from the volume as the cover is applied to the dish. The colonies of organisms can be viewed either through the dish or cover because each is transparent.

Abstract: In submerged culture of a Basidiomycete belonging to the genus Coriolus, the seed culture to be inoculated into the medium is homogenized to form a homogenous slurry and the slurry-formed seed culture is inoculated into the medium. This improves the cultivation rate of the Basidiomycetes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaking a sample on agar plates where the sample is dispensed from a flexible tube which is oscillated while the plate is rotated. The plates are stored in a refrigerated compartment and selectively presented to a transfer position where they are transferred to a first position to have a lid removed, to a second position to be streaked, and third position to be re-lidded and moved to a classification stack for removal to an incubator.

Abstract: A transportable apparatus for microbiological investigations and examinations, particularly for determining numbers of microorganisms in surface samples taken from foodstuffs, walls, etc. using a sterile rinsing liquid atomized by a compressed gas. The apparatus, which may be shaped like a pistol is provided with a container for collecting the mixture of compressed gas, rinsing liquid and rinsed-off particles and a compressed gas supply connection is provided with a valve. The nozzle of the apparatus is placed on and pressed against the surface under investigation, after which the rinsing liquid is applied by the compressed gas to the surface under investigation and is subsequently collected in the container.

Abstract: An improved device for the study of biochemical or enzymatic reactions produced by living organisms is disclosed. The device comprises a sandwich of two plastic sheets sealed to each other, the said sandwich having a central open area with upstanding walls which define a central receptacle which is closed at its bottom by one of said plastic sheets. Internal of the sandwich are a plurality of radially-extending cavities providing individual reaction chambers, which are in communication with the central receptacle internal of the sandwich, as by means of capillaries of reduced cross-section with respect to the reaction chambers themselves. The reaction chambers have apertures therein, preferably at their radially-outwardly extending portions, to enable aerobic growth therein.

Abstract: A device for growing bacteria from a predetermined initial population to a predetermined final population comprising a means for obtaining the predetermined initial population and a medium to obtain growth of the bacteria to the predetermined final population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for harvesting cells from a plurality of wells of a standard cell culture plate. Two complementary blocks, a lower and an upper one, are adapted to be attached with each other by suitable mechanical means to form a tight fit, the lower block being provided with a channel-formed conduit attached with an external source of a washing fluid, the flow of which is controlled by valve means. The conduit is connected with a plurality of downwardly pointing tubelets which are spaced in such manner that each one of them fits into a well of the culture plate, thus providing for the possibility of introducing at will washing fluid into the wells in the culture plate. Further tubes are provided which point in the same direction, each of which is connected with an outlet at the upper face of the lower block; an O-ring is provided substantially flush with the upper face of the block at each of the outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the effects of an antibiotic of chemical on a bacterial or biochemical substance of the type having a plurality of side-by-side test chambers each separated from the other by a side wall and having a common reservoir disposed adjacent each test chamber and separated therefrom by a barrier having a height less than the height of each side wall is characterized by an array of guide walls disposed in the reservoir, each guide wall merging into one of the side walls and cooperating with next-adjacent guide wall to define an array of channels. Each channel communicates with one of the test chambers and each channel is adapted to conduct a liquid disposed in the reservoir into the test zone with which it is associated upon rotation of the apparatus about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of microorganisms on a surface comprisescontacting the surface to be tested for the presence of microorganisms with an adhesive side of a sheet consisting essentially of a porous, flexible support material having an adhesive surface on at least one side such that when contacted with a microorganism-containing surface, the microorganisms will be adhered thereto; removing the sheet from this surface; placing the sheet on a sterile culture medium for microorganisms, the side placed on the medium being that opposite the side which was in contact with the test surface; incubating the sheet; and analyzing the incubated sheet for the presence of microorganisms.A sheet for use in the method comprises a porous, flexible support material having an adhesive surface on at least one side and which is sterile throughout, said adhesive surface being such that when contacted with a microorganism-containing surface, the microorganisms will be adhered thereto.

Abstract: An improved device for the study of biochemical or enzymatic reactions produced by living organisms is disclosed. The device comprises a sandwich of two plastic sheets sealed to each other, the said sandwich having a central open area with upstanding walls which define a central receptacle which is closed at its bottom by one of said plastic sheets. Internal of the sandwich are a plurality of radially-extending cavities providing individual reaction chambers, which are in communication with the central receptacle internal of the sandwich, as by means of capillaries of reduced cross-section with respect to the reaction chambers themselves. The reaction chambers have apertures therein at their radially-outwardly extending portions to enable aerobic growth therein. The reaction chambers may be provided with sheets of absorbent material and/or color-producing reagents, which are preferably in said absorbent material.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus is provided for sampling and identifying microorganisms. In one application of the apparatus, a throat culture is taken and pathogenic microorganisms in the culture are identified. The apparatus includes a housing having a retractable strip with a streaker or inoculating pad on the distal end thereof. An identification bar having a plurality of open-faced troughs is clamped to the housing with the open faces of the troughs in line with the streaker pad on the sampling strip. A different testing media is provided in each trough. A cap encloses the end of the housing and the streaker pad. With the cap removed, the streaker pad is swabbed over the infected area after which the strip and inoculating pad are retracted to draw the pad into the housing and over the testing media in the open-faced troughs. The strip is broken off leaving the inoculating pad in the housing. The cap is reassembled on the end of the housing.

Abstract: Water and air are tested for biological agents by concentrating the biological substances at an air/water interface which permits natural cell multiplication during the concentrating process.

Abstract: While transferring a portion of a microbiological culture medium from one receptacle to another by means of a needle disposed on a base, a flow of gas is directed from the base towards the needle to form a protective gaseous environment around the transferred culture medium portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic sampling for microorganisms in a liquid product flowing in a processing line. A stream of the product is directed away from the processing line and automatically injected in sequence into a plurality of microorganism collection devices. The stream is injected into each of the collection devices for a predetermined time interval. The collection devices contain sterile membranes which filter microorganisms out of the stream. Subsequent incubation of the membranes on nutrient media permits growth and detection of microorganism colonies. The detection of microorganism colonies in one of the collection devices permits the isolation of suspect liquid product bottled during the time interval when the collection device filtered microorganisms from the stream.

Abstract: A method of controlling mosquito larvae, by using a spore-forming bacillus ONR-60A obtained from screening clonal isolates from soil samples of known mosquito larval breeding sites. A larvicide comprising the bacillus and a carrier is formulated as a buoyant colloidal suspension which stabilizes just under the surface of the water to concentrate in the feeding zone of many varieties of mosquito larvae.

Abstract: A method for concentrating and separating microbial pathogens present in a blood sample is provided. Initially, a blood sample is injected into a closed evacuated space within an elongated centrifugation receptacle which comprises a smooth continuous surface at one end thereof. The centrifugation article is then subjected to centrifugation causing any microbial pathogens present in the blood sample to move toward the end of the elongated centrifugation receptacle which comprises the smooth continuous surface and collect thereon. After centrifugation, the major portion of the residual blood sample is removed from the centrifugation receptacle and the separated and concentrated microbial pathogens can then be removed for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel processes and devices for the analysis of samples of very small volume.The process consists in taking definite amounts of reagents by capillarity on the end of fine rods, then recovering the amounts taken by centrifugation, the reagents being projected to the bottom of the same container. The device comprises elements for taking up, associated with a container able to be centrifuged.The process and the device are particularly useful for enzymatic micro-analyses.

Abstract: Bacterial activity is detected by inoculating the bacteria into a suitable nutrient medium and monitoring the resistive component of the electrical impedance of this culture in such a manner that the value obtained is influenced by the temperature coefficient of the resistive component to a degree which is equivalent to a change in temperature of not more than .+-.0.01 K. Either the temperature of the culture is maintained constant to .+-.0.01 K and the resistive component is sensed directly, or the resistive component of the culture is compared with the resistive component of a reference volume of the nutrient medium, the temperatures of the culture and the reference volume being maintained constant to .+-.1.0 K and their difference in temperature being held to .+-.0.01 K.