Apparatus, methods and systems for rapid microbial testing

Abstract

A method for detecting microorganisms includes obtaining a sample from a source of interest and applying the sample to a selective growth medium to permit any microorganisms of interest in the sample to grow. Any microorganisms that have grown are harvested. An immunoassay is then conducted to detect the microorganism of interest, if any, with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. A system that may be used to grow, harvest, and detect a microorganism of interest includes a growth plate, or dish, a lavage solution, a lavage apparatus, and an assay apparatus. The dish may include a vessel with multiple sections, at least one of which is used to grow microorganisms of interest, and another of which is configured to receive and contain harvested microorganisms of interest.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.