Method for minimizing optical interference during antibiotic susceptibility readings in a microbiological analyzer
AssigneeDade MicroScan Inc.
InventorsWilliam David Dunfee, Bruce McLean Gemmell, Edward Stephen Kaminski, John Charles Mazza, Edward Francis Farina, Frank Stephen Krufka
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Abstract
Performing antibiotic testing on samples contained in test arrays by orienting the arrays relative to the direction of gravity so that test solution within the microwells is drawn downwards and air within the microwells is forced to the uppermost portion of the test array. Antibiotic testing is conducted using an interrogating beam of radiation passing horizontally through the microwells at locations devoid of air bubbles.
Claims8
An method to perform antibiotic testing of a test solution contained within microwells of a test array, the test array formed as an elongate shaped body with opposed and parallel top and bottom surfaces, said body containing a plurality of upwardly projecting test microwells formed in the bottom surface, each microwell having a central axis projecting upwardly from the bottom surface of the array through the top surface of the microwell, the test method comprising:
- orienting the central axis of each microwell in a generally horizontal direction during antibiotic testing so that air within the interior of the microwell moves away from the center axis;
- and,
- directing a beam of interrogating radiation along the central axis.
A method to perform antibiotic testing of a test solution contained within microwells of a test array, the test array formed as an elongate shaped body with opposed and parallel top and bottom surfaces, said body containing a plurality of upwardly projecting test microwells formed in the bottom surface, each microwell having an integral bubble trap and a central axis projecting upwardly from the bottom surface of the array through the top surface of the microwell, the test method comprising:
- tilting the test array in a first direction to aid in removing air trapped in the bubble trap;
- agitating the test array so that air located within the bubble trap and along the inner top surface of each microwell is caused to move to an upper microwell corner opposed to the location of the bubble trap;
- tilting the test array in the direction opposite to the first direction, so that air is caused to be swept along the inner top surface of each microwell, thereby to capture all air bubbles within the microwell into the bubble trap;
- and,
- returning the array to a position such that the central microwell axis is generally vertically directed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.