US 4,397,955 A · Transfer apparatus for microorganisms

Abstract

This invention relates to a transfer mechanism for microorganisms and more specifically, to a device for duplicating a growth pattern of microorganisms. The apparatus comprises a body and a transfer material on one surface of the body. The transfer material is brought into contact with a primary medium having a growth of microorganisms on the surface thereof, and transfers that growth to at least one secondary medium. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with a hydrophobic grid membrane filter. This apparatus replaces slow and cumbersome methods for transferring microorganisms from a primary medium to a secondary medium and is an automated and efficient apparatus to effect such transfer. This device makes it now possible to transfer and duplicate the colonies of microorganisms growing on a hydrophobic grid membrane filter to fresh or different culture media.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An apparatus for transferring a growth of microorganisms, said apparatus comprising:

a body;
a transfer material extending across one surface of said body, said transfer material adapted to be brought into contact with a primary medium having a growth of microorganisms on the surface thereof, and to transfer said growth to at least one secondary medium;
a support stand to support said body;
a moveable platform for holding and positioning said primary medium supported by said support stand and adapted to be oriented in a predetermined horizontal, vertical and rotational orientation, said moveable platform facing said transfer material such that when said body is moved or said platform is moved, said transfer material contacts said growth of microorganisms;
a supply reel for supplying the transfer material;
a take-up reel for taking-up said transfer material;
whereby said transfer material moves across the surface of said body when the transfer material is supplied by said supply reel and taken-up by said take-up reel.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transfer apparatus for microorganisms

Life of this patent

Transfer apparatus for microorganisms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21