Cassette for sterility testing
Inventors
Aviles, Robert C. • Michaud, Devin T. • Browne, Douglas J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9745546-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention provides a device for growing cells—referred to as a cassette. The cell culturing device includes a housing that contains a lid having an optically clear window; a fluid distribution channel; a sample injection port fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel; a base housing a porous media pad; and a media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad. The lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal; the fluid distribution channel is disposed over the media pad, which is viewable through the optical window; and sample fluid introduced into the fluid distribution channel is distributed evenly to the media pad, e.g., via a plurality of channels. The invention also provides kits that include cassettes of the invention and a tube set.
Core Innovation
A cell culturing device is described that includes a housing with a lid and a base that form a sterile seal. The lid has an optically clear window so cells are viewable during culturing. The housing contains a fluid distribution channel and a sample injection port that is fluidically connected to the fluid distribution channel.
A porous media pad is disposed under the fluid distribution channel, and the porosity is sufficient to retain cells; alternatively, a membrane having a porosity sufficient to retain cells is disposed on the porous media pad or itself disposed under the channel. A media injection port introduces liquid nutrient media to the porous media pad. A drainage port is fluidically connected to the porous media pad so that sample fluid travels through the fluid distribution channel, the media pad, and the drainage port.
The device is configured so that sample fluid introduced through the sample injection port travels through the fluid distribution channel, the media pad, and the drainage port, whereby sample fluid is distributed evenly to the media pad by the fluid distribution channel. Cells in the sample fluid are retained on the media pad or membrane and are viewable through the optically clear window.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claim in the provided set is clm-00001. The main inventive features are centered on an evenly distributing fluid path through a cell-retaining porous media pad or membrane, while allowing retained cells to be viewable through an optically clear window and maintaining a sterile seal via a lid that mates to the base.
Sterile-sealed housing with optically clear window
A cell culturing device comprising a housing and a lid having an optically clear window, where the lid mates to the base to form a sterile seal.
Even sample distribution via fluid distribution channel
A fluid distribution channel connected to a sample injection port so that sample fluid travels through the fluid distribution channel, whereby the sample fluid is distributed evenly to the media pad.
Cell-retaining porous media pad or membrane under the channel
A base comprising a porous media pad disposed under the fluid distribution channel, wherein the porosity of the media pad is sufficient to retain cells, or a membrane having a porosity sufficient to retain cells disposed on the media pad.
Nutrient media injection and drainage through the media pad
A media injection port fluidically connected to the media pad for introduction of liquid nutrient media to the media pad, and a drainage port fluidically connected to the media pad.
Viewable retained cells through the optically clear window
Sample fluid introduced through the sample injection port travels through the fluid distribution channel, the media pad, and the drainage port, with cells retained on the media pad or membrane and viewable through the optically clear window.
Across the provided independent claim, the inventive concept combines a sterile-sealed, optically clear viewing housing with a fluid distribution channel that evenly distributes sample fluid onto a cell-retaining porous media pad or membrane, while nutrient delivery and drainage are provided so retained cells remain viewable through the window.
Stated Advantages
Distributes sample fluid evenly to the media pad.
Retains cells on the media pad or membrane.
Enables cells to be viewable through the optically clear window.
Provides a sterile seal via lid mating to the base.
Documented Applications
Sterility testing for cell/microbial growth and fluorescence-based enumeration, including correlation of fluorescence colonies with visual colony counts in a closed-loop automated rapid enumeration system context.
Use in a cell-detection kit context combining the device with sterile tube sets and connector interfaces for sample/media/vent/drain handling.
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