Concentration of waterborn and foodborn microorganisms
AssigneeMarshfield Medical Research and Education Foundation
InventorsMark A. Borchardt, Susan K. Spencer
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Abstract
A method of concentrating microorganisms, particularly pathogenic microorganisms, from food and/or water potentially contaminated by dilute densities of the organisms is described. Potentially contaminated water or fluid food is directed along an elongated flow path which rests generally within a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation, and is subjected to centrifugal forces by rotating the flow path about the rotational axis. The method may be executed by use of a conventional continuous flow channel-type blood plasmapheresis centrifuge.
Claims43
A method of concentrating microorganisms from fluid comprising the steps of:
- a. continuously feeding the fluid into an elongated flow path, the flow path including a separation section wherein the fluid flows in an arcuate path about a rotational axis in directions which are substantially tangential with respect to the rotational axis, the separation section having a length greater than 2 r, where r is the average of the maximum and minimum radial distances of the flow path from the rotational axis;
- and
- b. subjecting the flow path to centrifugal forces by spinning the flow path about the rotational axis, wherein the centrifugal forces are substantially perpendicular to the separation section.
A method of concentrating microorganisms from fluid comprising the steps of:
- a. continuously feeding the fluid into an elongated flow path, the flow path including a separation section wherein the fluid flow is oriented in directions substantially tangential with respect to a rotational axis;
- and
- b. subjecting the flow path to centrifugal forces by spinning the flow path about the rotational axis, wherein the centrifugal force is substantially perpendicular to the separation section.
A method of concentrating microorganisms from fluid comprising the steps of:
- a. continuously feeding the fluid into an elongated flow path, the flow path including a separation section wherein the fluid flows in an arcuate path about a rotational axis;
- and
- b. subjecting the flow path to centrifugal forces by spinning the flow path about the rotational axis, wherein the centrifugal force is substantially perpendicular to the separation section.
A method of concentrating microorganisms from fluid comprising the steps of:
- a. continuously feeding the fluid into a flow path, the flow path including a separation section oriented within planes generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and wherein the separation section has a length greater than 2 r, where r is the average of the maximum and minimum radial distances of the flow path from the rotational axis;
- and
- b. subjecting the flow path to centrifugal forces by spinning the flow path about the rotational axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.