Bio-plas, Inc.

Other

Biosyn, Inc.

Bio-pias, Inc.

Donald H DeVaughn

James C Smith

Wolfgang Ott

An inoculation storage assembly and method of preserving sterility including an inoculation device ( ), a storage rack or container ( ), and a handling tool ( ). The inoculation device ( ) being an elongated ember ( ) with a gripping section ( ), an inoculation section ( ), and a seal ( ) carried by elongated member ( ). The seal ( ) preferably having an arcuate surface ( ) for sealing engagement against a seal contact surface ( ) in a cavity ( ) in the storage rack ( ). The storage container ( ) including an open upper end or opening ( ) and a seal contact surface ( ) dimensioned to sealingly receive the seal ( ), with the inoculation device ( ) being mounted in sealed relation to the cavity ( ). A handling tool ( ) capable of releasable coupling to gripping section ( ) of the inoculation device ( ) is provided. A method of using the inoculation storage assembly and preserving sterility is also disclosed.

Inoculation storage assembly and method for use thereof

A positive displacement liquid drawing and dispensing apparatus (21) having a tubular member (22) with an axially extending lumen (24) and a plunger (31) mounted for axial displacement in the lumen (24). The plunger (31) has a first seal (33) positioned proximate an end (34) of the plunger and a second seal (37) axially spaced from the first seal (33). The first and second seal each slidably and sealingly engage an interior surface (23) defining the lumen (24) as the plunger (31) is displaced in the lumen. The plunger further includes a recess (38) intermediate the first and second seals for receipt of trapped gas (40,41) which can be drawn in through an intake end (27) of the lumen during drawing of the liquid (36) into the tubular member (22). The plunger is formed for positioning of the first seal (33) beyond the intake opening (27) so that air will automatically be isolated between the first and second seals (33,37) as the plunger is withdrawn into a lumen. A substantially gas-free draw of liquid will result between the first seal (33) and the intake opening (27). A method of drawing the liquid in the apparatus which includes automatically isolating an uppermost portion of the liquid (36) and gas (41) from a lower portion of the volume drawn into the apparatus (21).

Positive displacement liquid drawing and dispensing apparatus

A baffle assembly (23) positioned between a pipetter assembly (10) and a disposable pipette tip (16) for substantially reducing transfer of aerosol and/or fluid specimens to the pipetter. The baffle assembly (23) includes a barrier structure (25) extending transversely across a receiving chamber (17) of the pipette tip (16) and defines at least one narrow passageway (26) extending generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis (27) through the barrier member (25) between an entrance (30) and an exit (31) thereof. The passageway (26) includes a first wall (32) extending generally transverse, and preferably perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis (27) of the pipette tip to define at least one elbow portion positioned between the entrance (30) and the exit (31) of the passageway. A filter membrane (55) preferably is secured across the passageway (26) to reduce aerosol transport through the passageway (26). A method for substantially reducing transfer of aerosol and/or fluid to the pipetter (10) is also provided, as is a method for securing the filter (55) to the baffle assembly (23).

Aerosol and liquid transfer resistant pipette tip apparatus

A sterile inoculation assembly includes an inoculation device (20), a storage container (84) and a handling tool (60). The inoculation device (20) includes an elongated body (22) having an inoculation end (26) and an opposed gripping end (24). The container (84) is formed with at least one cavity (86) with an opening (88) thereto. The cavity (86) is dimensioned to receive the inoculation device (20) in an orientation which permits the gripping end (24) to be grasped through the opening (88). A sheet-like cover (98) is positioned across the opening (88) to seal it and to retain the inoculation device (20) in the cavity (86). The cover (98) is capable of being punctured for grasping of the gripping end (24) and removal of the inoculation device (20) by a handling tool (60). This handling tool (60) telescopically engages the gripping end (24) for releasible securement thereto. Removal of the inoculation device (20) by the handling mechanism (60) is permitted while preserving the sterile integrity of the inoculation device (20). A method for removing the sterile inoculation device (20) from the sterile storage container (84) while maintaining the inoculation end (26) of the inoculation device (20) in a sterile condition also is provided.

Calibrated inoculation assembly and method of preserving sterility

A pipette tip (30) for use with a pipetter (10) and a method for dispensing a precise volume of a fluid (54). The pipette tip (30) has a hollow body (32), which defines an interior volume (34), and a channel (42) therein having a calibrated volume. Channel (42) extends from an intake opening (44) to an overflow opening (46) positioned inside the interior volume (34) of the tip above a reservoir portion (50) inside the tip. Fluid (54) drawn through the intake opening (44) and into the channel (42) in excess of the calibrated channel volume is gravity-shed or sloughed into an overflow reservoir (50). Thus, a calibrated volume of fluid (54) remains in the channel (42) and can be dispensed accurately from the channel (42). Additionally, the reservoir portion (50) captures and contains the overflow fluid in a stable condition, permitting the reservoir (50) to be used to react various substances (76, 77) with the overflow fluid (56a) inside the pipette tip (30). The internal reservoir (50) also may be divided by a partition (72) to provide a plurality of reservoirs or sub-volumes (73, 74) inside the pipette tip (30).

Calibrated pipette tip and method

An ultracentrifuge with a snap can and a tool for removing or installing the snap cap. The tool also is formed for installing and removing screw caps from centrifuge tubes, test tubes or the like. The ultracentrifuge tube has a balanced positive securement structure with a support collar that supports the tube independently of the cap securement structure. The tool has manually grippable, elongated body constructed of a semi-rigid material, and one end of the tool body includes a slot and a tab protruding from the tool end directly above the slot. The tool tab is formed to engage the top of the snap cap when a pry lip of the snap cap is inserted into the slot. The user can swing the tool up to unsnap the cap from the tube. The opposite end of the tool includes an open ended socket dimensioned and tapered to grippably receive the outer circumferential perimeter of a screw cap for a centrifuge tube thereby facilitating easy removal or installation. The socket is placed over the cap and the tool rotated to remove the cap. Once removed the cap is frictionally retained in the socket. A method of removing and remounting centrifuge caps also is described.

Centrifuge tube and centrifuge tube cap removing and installing tool and

Closure cap

A cap for sealing closed the opened end of an elongated tube such as a blood drawing tube, a test tube or the like is disclosed herein and comprises an integrally formed main body constructed of a flexible material, preferably polyethylene plastic. This main body is closed at its top end, and tapers outwardly at and near its bottom end, and it includes an arrangement of annular sealing ribs, all of which allow a cap to be readily positioned over the tube to be sealed in a reliable fluid sealed fashion and readily removed from the tube without causing the substance in the tube to aerosol (in the case of liquids) or otherwise escape into the ambient surroundings.

Stretchable cap for sealing and/or resealing blood drawing tubes and the

Pipette tip

A container for transferring pathogenic micro-organisms directly from the patient to the place of identification while keeping them alive whether they are obligate or facultative organisms. It comprises an enclosure having an open end, a carrier structure presenting a pair of culture areas supporting different nutrients thereon slidably received in said enclosure through said open end thereof, a hollow stopper adapted to hermetically seal the open end of said enclosure, and means in the interior of said stopper operable to release an oxygen-absorbing medium so as to establish an oxygen free atmosphere in the interior of the enclosure. The container is made of heat resistant transparent material so that it can be placed into a culturing chamber and that culture formations on the nutrient supporting areas of the carrier structure can be observed directly without need to remove the carrier structure from the enclosure.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Donald H DeVaughn