Test apparatus, system and method for the detection of test samples

A method for the detection of ATP by a user of a test sample from or on a material, in which said test sample is combined with ATP test reagents to provide test results, which method consists essentially of:

• a) providing an elongated, tubular, sterile, glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit constructed and arranged to obtain a test sample to retain a probe means having a probe end therein, and a transparent, closed end test unit at the one end to provide test results;
• b) removing said probe means and collecting the material to be tested to obtain a test sample on the probe means;
• c) inserting said probe means within said test apparatus;
• d) threadably, longitudinally moving said probe means in said test apparatus, with said test sample, sequentially between a starting non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit, a use position with the probe end in the test unit, and an ending non-use position with the probe end within the sample unit;
• e) puncturing an ATP-packaged test reagent selected for the particular test method for the sample by the downwardly threadable longitudinal movement of the probe end of the probe means to rupture a plurality of membranes defining separate compartments having an ATP release-buffer solution with an indicator dye, and a luciferin-luciferase composition to provide a contacting of said ATP test reagent and said test sample from said probe means in said test unit;
• and
• f) determining the luminescence within said transparent test unit.

A glass-free test apparatus for the bioluminescent determination of ATP in a test sample, which test apparatus consists essentially of:

• a) an elongated tubular sample unit having:
• i) a probe means having a first and a second end, with said first end comprising a premoistened swab to obtain a test sample;
• ii) an ATP-sterile chamber having a first end and a second end and adapted to retain and receive, after obtaining the test sample, said probe means and having a cover for the first end, with the second end of the probe means attached thereto;
• and
• iii) threadable means to move longitudinally, said first end of said probe means within said chamber to selected, sequential non-use, use, and non-use positions;
• and
• b) a tubular test unit longitudinally aligned and attached to the second end of the chamber having:
• i) a transparent housing with a closed bottom end adapted for use with a test instrument to measure emitted bioluminescence within the housing;
• and
• ii) ATP test sample reagent means, and comprising sealed reagents, in separate, sealed compartments characterized by a plurality of separate, aligned, swabs-puncturable membranes to include;
• a release solution for the release of the ATP in the test sample on the swab;
• a buffer solution with an indicator dye;
• and a luciferin-luciferase composition, the reagent means with the ATP-containing test sample on the swab combined in the bottom housing unit to provide for a bioluminescence ATP detection test.

A method for the bioluminescent determination of ATP in a test sample, which method consists essentially of:

• a) providing a glass-free test apparatus with a sample unit having an enclosed ATP-sterile chamber and a top cover with a probe means of a premoistened swab at one end within the chamber, and a transparent test unit at an other end of the sample unit, and containing a plurality of separate, membrane-puncturable, sealed test reagent means;
• b) removing the probe means from the sterile chamber;
• c) collecting a test sample from a material or surface to be tested for sanitation;
• d) inserting the swab with the test sample back into the sterile chamber;
• e) threadably, longitudinally moving the cover with the swab and collected test sample in the sterile chamber, to puncture with the swab sequentially the plurality of membrane-sealed reagent means of a release solution and a buffer solution, and to permit the resulting admixed test sample with release solution and buffer solution, with a visible pH indicator, to contact a luciferin-luciferase composition, which provides a bioluminescent ATP test;
• f) threadably, longitudinally removing the swab from the test unit;
• and
• g) measuring the amount of bioluminescence in the test unit to determine the amount of ATP in the test sample.