US 5,473,437 A · Methods and apparatus for detecting bacterial growth by spectrophotometric sampling of a fiber-optic array

Abstract

The detection of bacterial growth or the performance of other interrogative processes in multiple sample vials is accomplished using a moving rack that selectively couples optical locations to an optical excitation and detection system. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism combining agitation of the culture vials with a sequential scanning of an array of optical fibers, preferably by a spectrophotometric excitation and detection system. Selection of each culture vial provides, for example, optical detection of bacterial growth by fluorescence or other spectrophotometric measurements. A rack for holding vials is preferably the only moving assembly, and requires no mechanical or electrical interconnection with the excitation and detection system for its operation. In general, the present invention relates to the optically indexed presentation of the optical guides, to many remote sample sites in the form of a geometric array at the interface between the moving culture vial rack assembly and the spectrophotometric excitation and detection system fixed to the body of the instrument. Methods of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation to and from sample vials held in a movable rack include the steps of coupling the sample vials to an optical fiber and terminating the optical fiber at an optical coupling location. The rack is then moved to align at least one of the coupling locations with an excitation and detection system.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Apparatus for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to a plurality of sample vials and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the plurality of sample vials to detect bacterial growth within each vial, said apparatus comprising:

a rack having a pivot shaft for retaining a plurality of sample vials, each vial containing a chemical sensor that detects bacterial growth and emits a fluorescence intensity based upon detected bacterial growth when excited by electromagnetic radiation;
receiving means for receiving and supporting said pivot shaft, said receiving means having a retracted position wherein said rack and said pivot shaft can be removed from said receiving means and an extended position wherein said rack and said pivot shaft are captured by said receiving means;
an optical guide coupled at one end to one of said plurality of sample vials and coupled at the other end to said rack at an optical coupling location;
and
an excitation/detection system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation between said excitation/detection system and said chemical sensor within said one of said plurality of sample vials along said optical guide, when said excitation/detection system is aligned with said optical location,
wherein electromagnetic radiation is transmitted from said excitation/detection system through said optical location and said optical guide to said chemical sensor in said one of said plurality of sample vials and electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the fluorescence intensity emitted from said chemical sensor in said one of said plurality of sample vials is transmitted back through said optical guide and said optical location to said excitation/detection system, so that bacterial growth within said one of said plurality of sample vials is detected based upon the fluorescence intensity emitted from said chemical sensor.

3 more elements

A method for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to a plurality of sample vials and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the plurality of sample vials to detect bacterial growth within each vial, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of sample vials, each vial containing a chemical sensor that detects bacterial growth and emits a fluorescence intensity based upon detected bacterial growth when excited by electromagnetic radiation;
retaining the plurality of sample vials in a rack having a pivot shaft;
supporting said pivot shaft in a bolt-action receiver, wherein said rack and said pivot shaft can be removed from said bolt-action receiver, when said bolt-action receiver is in a retracted position, and said rack and said pivot shaft are captured by said bolt-action receiver, when said bolt-action receiver is in an extended position;
coupling an optical guide to each one of the plurality of sample vials and to the rack at an optical coupling location;
transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation between an excitation/detection system and the optical guide;
and
aligning the optical location with the excitation/detection system,
whereby electromagnetic radiation is transmitted from the excitation/detection system through the optical location and the optical guide to a chemical sensor in one of the plurality of sample vials and electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the fluorescence intensity emitted from the chemical sensor in said one of the plurality of sample vials is transmitted back through the optical guide and the optical location to the excitation/detection system, so that bacterial growth within said one of the plurality of sample vials is detected based upon the fluorescence intensity emitted from the chemical sensor.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for detecting bacterial growth by spectrophotometric sampling of a fiber-optic array

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for detecting bacterial growth by spectrophotometric sampling of a fiber-optic array

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16