Device for housing and retaining small volumes of gelled media
[451 Apr. 1, 1975 [5 DEVICE FOR HOUSING AND RETAINING SMALL VOLUMES OF GELLED MEDIA [75] Inventors: George Raymond Shaffer, Towson,  
 Md.; Warren Jene Russell, Lincoln, Mass.  
 [73] Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company,  
 East Rutherford, NJ.  
 [22] Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 320,883  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1967 Nelson ..L 128/2 W X 6/1968 Diller 220/238 X l/l970 Michel.... 3/ 1970 Smith 5/1970 Truhan.... 2/1971 Zaremski 220/238 2/1971 Fink 195/1035 X 3,563,859 3,651,926 3/1972 Elfast, .lr. 128/2 W 3,725,004 4/1973 Johnson et a1 195/1035 X Primary Examine r William I. Price Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan &amp; Kurucz [57] ABSTRACT A device for housing and retaining small volumes of nutrient gelled media which is adapted for culturing micro-organisms. Thedevice includes an enlongated rigid plastic member having a handle portion at one end and an enlarged substantially rectangular head portion at the other end. The head portion has surfaces thereon which form retention means for maintaining in fixed position thereon small volumes of nutrient gelled media. A container is provided having an open end and having an interior diameter slightly greater than the width of the head portion and a length greater than the member so that the member is removably positioned in the container. Finally, a closure is removably mounted on the open end of the container to maintain the member in sterile condition prior to use.  
 18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures DEVICE FOR HOUSING AND RETAINING SMALL VOLUMES OF GELLED MEDIA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Combined devices for taking samples for diagnostic use are available in the medical field. For example. L&#39;.S. Pat. No. 3.368.549 shows a container which houses an elongated plastic member with a sterile solidified culture medium positioned on one end of the member. Another similar type ofdevice is shown in L&#39;.S. Pat. No. 3.674.007 where a tube containing a plug of absorbent material saturated with a culture sustaining liquid is shown.  
  Other available devices include an elongated plastic member which has one end formed in the shape of a spoon for housing a predetermined volume of gelled sterile media and structure on the elongated spoon member for holding the spoon member in a flat horizontal position after use. That type of known device also includes structure for centering the spoon member in a container by providing means on the cap for holding the spoon member in a vertical position within the container. Other variations on this device are utilized in which the spoon member is changed to have a compartmented area for housing sterile solid media.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above known structures in mind. it is among the primary objectives of the present invention to provide an improved structural device for housing and retaining small volumes of nutrient gelled media which is adapted for diagnostic use. for example. culturing of micro-organisms. The structure provides features which make possible efficient handling during testing procedures and eliminates danger of crosscontamination and error during culturing procedures. Additionally, structure is provided to maintain the integrity of the media during handling and shipping prior to use as well as during use. In summary. a device is provided for housing and retaining small volumes of nutrient gelled media which is adapted for culturing micro-organisms.  
  The device includes an elongated rigid plastic member having a handle portion at one end and an enlarged substantially rectangular head portion at the other end. The head portion has surfaces thereon which form retention means for maintaining in fixed position thereon small volumes of nutrient gelled media. A container is provided having an open end and having an interior diameter slightly greater than the width of the head portion and a length greater than the member so that the member is removably positioned in the container. Finally, a closure is removably mounted on the open end of the container to maintain the member in sterile condition prior to use.  
  With the above objectives, among others, in mind. reference is had to the attached drawings.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:  
  FIG. 1 is a partially sectional elevation view ofa container holding a liquid material to be sampled and the member of the device of the present invention in sampling position therein;  
  FIG. 2 is a partially sectional elevation view of the device of the invention;  
  FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the member portion thereof.  
  FIG. 4 is a sectional view thereof taken along the plane of line 44 of FIG. 3;  
 FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of an alternate form of the member of the device of the invendition. A container 21 generally cylindrical in configu- 5 ration having a closed base 22 and an open upper end 1 tion: and  
  FIG. 6 is a sectional view thereof taken along the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 5.  
 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 depicts the device 20 in assembled sterile con- 23 is provided. The open upper end is closed by a removable closure 24 which may be fastened to container 21 in any conventional manner such as by a friction fit or a threaded interengagement.  
 Housed within container 21 is a membe 25. Member 25 has a rear handle portion 26 and a forward enlarged head portion 27. Both container 21 and member 25 may be constructed of a conventional rigid plastic material. For example. it is found that polystyrene. in particular a clear polystyrene. has been found to be effective for use as a material for member 25.  
  Member 25 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. Head f 27 includes a peripheral rectangular shaped rim 28 I which forms the exterior side walls of head 27 and may be integrally molded with handle 26. Bisecting peripheral rim 28 is a central rib 29 which is integral with the known manner.  
 A semi-continuous beveled ridge 32 extends inwardly from rim 28 above chamber 30 so as to facilitate retention of media 33 contained in chamber 30. Similarly. a beveled semi-continuous ridge 34 extends inwardly from rim 28 over the gelled media 35 contained in chamber 31. Ridges 32 and 34 are arcuate in configuration at their corners to facilitate the provision of a smooth member and to assist in filling operation in connection with the media and the specimento be tested.  
  Spaced intermittently about the periphery of ridge 32 are vent openings 36 which are present for the purpose described below. Similar vent openings 37 are intermittently positioned about semi-continuous ridge 34 for a similar purpose.  
  Extending upwardly from bisecting rib 28 is a longitudinal divider member 38 which bisects head 27 and facilitates separation of chambers 30 and 31. This facilitates retaining of the contents of each chamber in its respective location. Of additional assistance in this regard are the ridges 32 and 34 which assist in retaining the media in position during handling and shipping.  
 Extending from the forward edge of head 27 are a pair of arcuate projections 39 and 40. These projections are for engagement with the inner surface of bottom wall 22 of container 21 in order to facilitate drainage and to maintain chambers 30 and 31 in spaced relation with the bottom wall&#39;of the container. Also facilitating the position of head 27 with respect to the side walls of container 21 and to maintain chambers 30 and 31 in spaced relation with the side Walls of container 21 are a pair of side projections 41 and 42. In this manner,  
 member 25 is retained in substantially fixed position with respect to the walls of container 21 while it is located therein and alleviates the danger ofshifting ofthe member while it is in the container during handling and transportation. and possible spillage and crosscontamination of media in the respective chambers 30 and 31.  
  The bottom surface of rectangular head 27 is formed by a rectangular clear plastic member 27 which is fastened to the undersurface of peripheral rim 28 and rib 29 in a conventional manner such as by use of an ultrasonic welding procedure or an epoxy bonding procedure.  
  An alternative embodiment of the member 25 is shown in FIGS. and (mas member 25a. The alternate form cooperates with container 21 to form device in a similar manner as member cooperates with container 21. Member 25a includes a handle portion 43 and an enlarged head portion 44. Member 25a is an integrally molded plastic member and the head portion includes a substantially rectangular or square base 45 extending from handle 43 and a peripheral wall 46. The wall 46 extends around the entire circumference of base 25 and is perpendicular thereto in both directions so as to form a wall on both sides of base 45. A number of trans\erse lateral and longitudinal ribs 47 extend from both sides of the base and intersect with one another and terminate at connecting points with the peripheral wall 46 so as to form a grid-like surface on both sides of base 45. The grid-like surface provides a plurality of chambers 48 for reception of media 49.  
  The central longitudinal rib 47 has a divider member 50 extending upwardly therefrom so as to maintain the integrity of media held in the chambers 48 on one side of the divider from media held in chambers 48 on the opposite side of the divider. As shown. a divider 50 is located on only one side of base 45, however if it is desirable. it would be readily feasible to provide a divider on the opposite side of the base as well. It should also be noted that divider 50 extends beyond head 44 and is integrally extended along handle 43 for a partial distance.  
  In order to maintain separation of chambers 48 and head 44 from the bottom wall 22 of container 21 a tapered projection 51 extends from the forward edge of head 44. Projection 51 engages with the inner surface of bottom wall 22 and maintains member 25a in the desired spaced position within container 21 in a similar manner as in respect to projections 39 and 40 on the above discussed embodiment of member 25. Both members 25 and 25a are utilized in a similar manner in operation of device 20 as will be discussed in detail below.  
  In general operation, member 25 including the gelled media thereon is momentarily immersed, as shown in FIG. 1, in a specimen 52 to be analyzed. The specimen may be a fluid such as urine. As shown, the specimen is normally contained in a vessel 53 with a removable cap 54 thereon. Member 25 is then removed from container 53 and placed into container 21 which is capped. The unknown contents of the specimen react with the gelled material to produce a characteristic indicative of the contents of the specimen. in this manner, a simple and rapid method and apparatus is provided for screening specimens, such as urine, for bacterial content. No other equipment or procedures are needed and the device may be utilized by persons unskilled in bacteriology. In particular. the use of the device eliminates the lag period between the time of urine collection and the time of inoculation which is unavoidable by the con ventional method. The conventional methods require that the urine specimens be transported to the laboratory in order to perform the media inoculation. The inoculation must be done by a skilled technician and involves making dilutions ofthe urine and preparing pour plates or streaking of the media with a standard loop.  
  Particular features of member 25 facilitate its use. For example. by providing a bottom 27 of clear plastic material. the transparent media 33 and 35 may be observed by transmitted light through the bottom of head 27.  
  By providing parallel chambers 30 and 31, growth on the two separate media contained in these chambers may be simultaneously compared or viewed one at a time. This is in contrast to back-to-back media chambers where the growth on one surface may obstruct the reading on the other surface when using transmitted light. Furthermore. the parallel alignment of chambers permits inoculation of entire media surface when small volumes of urine or other fluid is collected rather than if they were in series.  
  Member 20 may be placed on a benchtop or microscope stage without touching either of the media surfaces since chambers 30 and 31 are open on one side of head 27 only.  
  Divider 38 prevents mixing ofthe two media in separate chambers and this is particularly helpful in general use since each chamber is overfilled to facilitate fluid drainage. By providing extensions 39 and 40 to space member 25 from the bottom wall 22 of container 21, fluid drainage is also aided. Another assist is provided for fluid drainage in the smoothness of the plastic utilized for member 25 which permits the media to slightly overlap the walls of each chamber during filling. Naturally the smoothness of the plastic member 25 is aesthetically pleasing also.  
  The provision of ridge 32 serves to assist in retaining the media in chambers 30 and 31 during shipping and handling. The member 25 may be placed in any position without media dislodgment under normal activity. Vent areas 36 assist in the elimination of objectional air bubble trapping beneath ridge 32 which may be encountered during media filling.  
  Finally. ease of manufacture is accomplished by the two-part structure with bottom 27 being manufactured separately and then connected to the remainder of member 25. The actual bonding may be done quickly and efficiently as discussed above in any conventional manner such by sonic welding There is no deleterious effects on the plastic such as warping or discoloration by the sonic welding process which lends itself to semi-automation and alleviates the necessity of pretreatment of parts.  
  Thus, the above objectives of the invention, among others, are effectively attained.  
 We claim:  
  1. A device for housing and retaining small volumes of nutrient gelled media which is adapted for culturing micro-organisms comprising:  
 an elongated rigid plastic member having a handle portion at one end and an enlarged substantially rectangular head portion at the other end;  
 the head portion having surfaces thereon forming retention means adapted to receive and maintain in fixed position thereon small volumes of nutrient gelled media;  
 a container having an open end and having an interior diameter slightly greater than the width of the head portion and a length greater than the member so that the member is removably positioned in the container;  
 a closure removably mounted on the open end of the container to maintain the member in sterile condition prior to use;  
 the head portion having a peripheral rim and a central rib bisecting the head and connected to the peripheral rim so that a pair of adjacent chambers are formed in the head adapted and positioned to accept separate volumes of nutrient gelled media;  
 the head being open on one side thereof to provide access to the chambers therein;  
 the bisecting rib on the head having a raised divider rim projecting upwardly therefrom along its length to facilitate separation of the two chambers and alleviate the danger of intermixing the media in each chamber; and  
 the member being of a clear plastic material.  
  2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the peripheral rim and bisecting rib of the head are ultrasonically welded to a rectangular shaped bottom to form the head having chambers open along the one side thereof.  
  3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein a semi-continuous ridge extends inwardly from the peripheral rim and from the bisecting rib into the chambers to facilitate retention of the media therein.  
  4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein vent spaces are intermittently positioned along the semi-continuous ridges to facilitate elimination of air bubble trapping beneath the ridge during media filling.  
  5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein there are two rounded extensions extending from the edge of a head distal from the handle for engagement with the bottom inner wall of the container to maintain the chambers in spaced relationship with the bottom wall of the container.  
  6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the inner peripheral corners of each chamber are arcuate in configuration.  
  7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the head portion includes a rectangular shaped base, a peripheral rim extending perpendicular to the base portion from both sides thereof, and a plurality of perpendicular transverse ribs with each rib terminating on two opposed sides of the peripheral rim and intersecting with one another to form a grid-like surface on both sides of the base so as to form a multiplicity of small chambers on both sides of the head portion.  
  8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein a raised divider member in alignment with one of the transversed ribs extends outwardly therefrom to bisect one side of the head portion and facilitate separation of two groups of small chambers thereon.  
  9. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein a tapered projection extends from the edge of the head portion distal from the handle portion to engage with the bottom surface of the container and facilitate separation of the chambers in the head from the bottom surface of the container.  
  10. An elongated rigid plastic member adapted to be positioned in a container having a removable closure thereon to provide a device for housing and retaining small volumes of nutrient gelled media for culturing micro-organisms comprising:  
 said member having a handle portion at one end and an enlarged substantially rectangular head portion at the other end;  
 the head portion having surfaces thereon forming retention means adapted to receive and maintain in fixed position thereon small volumes of nutrient gelled media; the head portion having a width of slightly less diameter than the inner diameter of the container and the member having a length less than the interior chamber in the container in which it is to be housed so that the member can be removably positioned in the container and a closure removably mounted on an open end of the container to maintain the member in sterile condition therein prior to use; the head portion having a peripheral rim and a central rib bisecting the head and connected to the peripheral rim so that a pair of adjacent chambers are formed in the head adapted and positioned to accept separate volumes of nutrient gelled media;  
 the head being open on one side thereof to provide access to the chambers therein;  
 the bisecting rib on the head having a raised divider rim projecting upwardly therefrom along its length to facilitate separation of the two chambers and alleviate the danger of intermixing media in each chamber; and  
 the member being of a clear plastic material.  
  11. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein the peripheral rim and bisecting rib of the head are ultrasonically welded to a rectangular shaped bottom to form the head having chambers open along the one side thereof.  
  12. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein there are two rounded extensions extending from the edge of a head distal from the handle for engagement with the bottom inner wall of the container to maintain the chambers in spaced relationship with the bottom wall of the container.  
  13. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein the inner peripheral corners of each chamber are arcuate in configuration.  
  14. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein a semi-continuous ridge extends inwardly from the peripheral rim and from the bisecting rib into the chambers to facilitate retention of the media therein.  
  15. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein vent spaces are intermittently positioned along the semi-continuous ridges to facilitate elimination of air bubble trapping beneath the ridge during media fillmg.  
  16. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein the head portion includes a rectangular shaped base, a peripheral rim extending perpendicular to the base portion from both sides thereof, and a plurality of perpendicular transverse ribs with each rib terminating on two opposed sides of the peripheral rim and intersecting with one another to form a grid-like surface on both sides of the base so as to form a multiplicity of small chambers on both sides of the head portion.  
  17. The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein a raised divider member in alignment with one of the transversed ribs extends outwardly therefrom to 7 8 bisect one side of the head portion and facilitate sepagage with the bottom surface of the container and facilrat&#39;on of two groups of Small chambers thereon itate Separation of the chambers in the head from the 18. The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein a tapered projection extends from the edge of the head portion distal from the handle portion to enbottom surface of the container.