US 12,077,804 B2
Thin-film culture device for enumerating microorganisms
Evan D. Brutinel, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US); Alexi J. Young, Shoreview, MN (US); and Delton R. Thompson, Jr., Lake Elmo, MN (US)
Appl. No. 15/559,349
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 18, 2016, PCT No. PCT/US2016/042712
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 18, 2017,
PCT Pub. No. WO2017/019345, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 2, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/196,375, filed on Jul. 24, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2018/0127797 A1, May 10, 2018
Int. Cl. C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12Q 1/04 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC C12Q 1/04 (2013.01) [C12M 1/34 (2013.01); C12M 23/26 (2013.01); C12M 23/34 (2013.01); C12M 41/36 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A microbial detection device, comprising:
a water-proof pouch comprising:
a first wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface;
a second wall portion having an inner surface and an outer surface;
wherein the first wall portion is coupled to the second wall portion at all the periphery of the first wall portion;
a porous membrane filter disposed in the pouch between the inner surface of the first wall portion and the inner surface of the second wall portion, the membrane filter having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface;
a first compartment defined in part by inner surface of the first wall portion and defined in part by the first major surface of the membrane filter;
a sealable sample port that provides access to deposit a liquid into the first compartment;
a second compartment defined in part by the inner surface of the second wall portion and defined in part by the second major surface of the membrane filter;
wherein the membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment;
a dry cold water-soluble gelling agent adhered to the pouch in the first compartment; and
an absorbent pad disposed in the second compartment.