Method and miniaturized apparatus for cultivating bacteria

Abstract

The present invention is directed to miniaturized, microbiological culture dishes, for example in the order of approximately 5 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in depth, as well as a novel method and apparatus for cultivating the growth of bacteria. The culture dishes each contain a prepackaged culture medium and a sealed cover. In one embodiment the culture dishes are formed in an array on a frangible strip. The covers are removable to permit inoculation of the culture medium and are replaceable in a first condition to permit safe transport thereof. During incubation the covers are placed in a second condition to facilitate an indirect flow of air to the inoculated culture medium without allowing cross contamination between adjacent culture dishes. Several different dispensers are disclosed for transporting a plurality of culture dishes both before and after inoculation of the culture medium therein. A master support rack in combination with a single master cover that permits indirect air flow without cross contamination is also provided for large scale testing procedures. There is also disclosed a novel, double ended tool that is packaged in a sterilized, frangible container and which has a swab at one end for inoculating the culture medium. The other end of the tool is provided with a loop for streaking the culture medium.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.