Patent · US Expired

Microbial monitoring device

US5567598A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
7References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 1993
Grant dateOct 22, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 3, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S436/80
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.