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:
Jul. 18, 2017
Filed:
Feb. 14, 2013
Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Klaus W. Berndt, Cockeysville, MD (US);
Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of microorganisms in a liquid sample. A vessel with an electrode disposed therein receives a volume of liquid to be tested. A second electrode is also provided, both electrodes in physical contact with the liquid sample. A time varying signal is applied to one electrode, and the other electrode is coupled to a phase sensitive signal detector. The phase sensitive signal detector determines a frequency at which an out of phase signal amplitude is zero. This zero-crossing frequency is used as a baseline, and changes in the zero-crossing frequency are an indication of microbial growth.