The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 22, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 03, 1993
David T Stitt, Freeland, MD (US);
Gregory J Burrell, Red Lion, PA (US);
Kwok-Yu Hu, Eilicott City, MD (US);
James F Monthony, Baltimore, MD (US);
Robert Sapitowicz, Abingdon, MD (US);
Becton Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
This invention presents methods for detection and evaluation of metabolic activity of microorganisms based upon their ability to consume dissolved oxygen. The methods utilize a fluorescence detection system which makes use of the sensitivity of the fluorescent emission of certain compounds to the presence of oxygen, which quenches (diminishes) the compound's fluorescent emission in a concentration dependent manner. Respiring microorganisms will affect the oxygen concentration of a liquid medium in which they are immersed. Thus, this invention provides a convenient system to gather information on the presence, identification and metabolic activity of microorganisms by determining their effect on the oxygen concentration of the media in which they are present.