Methods and apparatus for handling microbial samples

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10072281-B2
Application number	US-201514828956-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2015
Priority date	Nov 5, 2007
Publication date	Sep 11, 2018
Grant date	Sep 11, 2018

Abstract

This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for transferring a microbial sample from a first carrier to a second carrier, comprising the steps of:
a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with at least part of the sample associated with the first carrier, wherein the particle is a composite bead having a surface roughness (Ra) in the range of 0.1 to 25 μm, a diameter between 2 to 88 mm and a density below 7 g/cm 3 , and b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle to said second carrier, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the second carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for inoculating petri dishes with the sample according to the method and also inoculating slides and/or tubes with a portion of the sample. A container that receives the magnetic composite bead that carries samples from the container when removed is also described.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for transfer of a microbial sample from a first carrier to a second carrier, comprising:
contacting at least part of said sample associated with said first carrier with at least one ferromagnetic particle, the particle comprising a composite bead having a surface roughness (Ra) in the range of 0.1 to 25 μm, a diameter of between 2 to 8 mm and a density below 7 g/cm 3 ; and
applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle to said second carrier, such that at least part of the sample is transferred to said second carrier.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said composite bead comprises a hydrophilic surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one composite bead comprises at least one polymer and at least one magnetic material.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composite bead is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of magnetite, ferrite, and combinations of any thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composite bead comprises a polymer that is heat resistant up to about 120° C.

Assignees

• Bd Kiestra Bv

Inventors

• Van Der Kaap Trienko Marten
• Kleefstra Martijn
• Tjernberg Ingela Marie Sofie Edlund
• Botma Jetze

Classifications

• C12M33/02 Primary

  by impregnation, e.g. using swabs or loops (fluid transport using swabs B01L3/5029) · CPC title

• C12Q1/24 Primary

  Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms · CPC title

• Y10T428/2982

  Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.] · CPC title