Assessment of micro-organism presence
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAlex David Corwin, Erik Leeming Kvam, Christine Lynne Surrette, Brian Joseph Scherer, Pei-Hsin Kuo, Ralf Lenigk, Tyler John Hammond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a consumable sample partition device and it assembly and use. The sample partition device can be used to test a sample for absence of microorganisms (sterility) and/or for concentration of said organisms (bio-burden). The sample partition device partitions the sample input volume into multiple discrete measurement zones with little or no loss of sample (e.g., zero-loss) and with little operator involvement, thereby reducing operator- and environment-based false positives.
Claims20
A sample partition device, comprising:
- one or more components that, when assembled, comprise:
- a well plate structure comprising a plurality of wells and a plurality of mesofluidic channels linking each well to at least one other well;
- a compliant layer positioned over at least the wells and mesofluidic channels, wherein the compliant layer interfaces with the mesofluidic channels to create an enclosed flow path or regulate flow;
- and
- a cover plate positioned over the compliant layer so as to secure the compliant layer to the well plate so as to create a sealed environment within the plurality of wells and the plurality of mesofluidic channels.
A method for partitioning a sample, comprising:
- introducing a sample via an inlet to a sample partition device and air exits the sample partition device via an outlet as the sample partition device is filled with the sample, wherein the sample partition device comprises a plurality of wells fluidically interconnected by a plurality of mesofluidic channels and wherein the sample is automatically partitioned between the wells by flowing through the plurality of mesofluidic channels;
- pressing a compliant layer toward the wells and mesofluidic channels so as to deform the compliant layer at the locations of the wells so as to seal the plurality of wells once filled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.