US 5,965,453 AGranted

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

AssigneeCharm Sciences, Inc.

InventorsRichard Skiffington, Eliezer Zomer

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Abstract

The invention concerns a test apparatus for the testing of a test sample on or in a material, such as body fluids or food, particularly adapted to a bioluminescent test, such as for the detection of ATP or phosphatase or other materials. The test apparatus includes a transparent tube having at one end a sample unit and at the other end a detachable or nondetachable test unit which are connected, and which includes a cover with a probe containing a swab at one end. The test apparatus includes probe positioning marks on the exterior of the sample unit, so that the probe may be moved between selected test positions, and as it moves from a non-use to a use position, various test reagents which are sealed within the test unit are punctured by the probe, and the test sample and the test reagents are reacted together in the test unit.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A test apparatus for the color or luminescent detection of a test sample from or on a material, which apparatus comprises:

a) an elongated tubular sample unit having:
i) a probe means having a first and second end, with said first end to obtain a test sample in use to be collected from or on a material;
ii) a chamber having a first and second open end and adapted to receive and retain therein the probe means prior to use and after use;
iii) a cover adapted for the threadable movement on the chamber and over the first end of the chamber and the second end of the probe means secured for movement with the cover;
and
iv) threadable means to move spirally, said cover and the first end of said probe means within said chamber to selected, controlled, sequential positions;
and
b) a tubular test unit longitudinally aligned and attached to the second end of the chamber having:
i) a closed bottom end and a top end, said top end attached to said second open end of said chamber, said test unit composed of a transparent material adapted for use with or in a test instrument for the identification of a test sample therein by measurement of luminescence;
and
ii) the test unit having a plurality of separate, aligned, sealed compartments formed of separate probe means puncturable membranes, each compartment containing a reagent means of a reagent or solution for use in combination in the detection of a test sample on the probe means, whereby the probe means with the test samples by threadable controlled, sequential movement, punctures the membranes to combine the test sample and reagents in the bottom end of the test unit for the measurement of luminescence or color.

8 more elements

A method for the color or luminescent detection of a test sample from or on a material, in which said test sample is combined with test reagents to provide test results, which method includes:

a) providing an elongated test apparatus with a sample unit constructed and arranged to obtain a test sample on a probe means therein, and a transparent test unit at the one end to provide admixture of the test sample with reagents and to provide test results therein;
b) removing said probe means and collecting a test sample on the probe means;
c) inserting said probe means within said test apparatus;
d) spirally moving said probe means in a controlled sequence in said test apparatus, with said test sample, to puncture aligned, sequential, puncturable membranes in the test unit, which define separate compartments with test reagents in the test unit, the test reagents selected for the particular test method for the test sample to provide a contacting of said test reagents and said test sample on said probe means in said test unit;
e) withdrawing the probe means from the test unit;
and
f) observing said test results in said test unit.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/093,433Filed 8 Jun 1998 · continuation
Granted: 12 Oct 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

B01L 3/5029
With fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures: using swabs
B01L 3/502
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
C12Q 1/00
Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms
C12Q 1/04
Involving viable microorganisms: determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides;…