US 11,851,643 B2
Selective thin-film culture device for enumerating microorganisms
Alexi J. Young, St. Paul, MN (US); Evan D. Brutinel, St. Paul, MN (US); Patrick A. Mach, St. Paul, MN (US); and Adam J. Stanenas, St. Paul, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Appl. No. 16/977,244
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
PCT Filed May 2, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/030297
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 1, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/213332, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 7, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/666,346, filed on May 3, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0040434 A1, Feb. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. C12M 1/34 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12M 1/12 (2006.01); C12Q 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC C12M 41/46 (2013.01) [C12M 23/14 (2013.01); C12M 23/20 (2013.01); C12M 25/02 (2013.01); C12M 41/14 (2013.01); C12Q 1/04 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
 
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;
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;
an effective amount of a dry nutrient disposed in the first compartment, the dry nutrient comprising sodium lauryl sulfate in an amount of 4 milligrams (mg) or greater per 12 square inches (in2) of the inner surface of the first wall portion;
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.