초록 ▼

A method of monitoring the growth of microorganisms in liquid culture involving the detection of pressure change in a gas-tight container such as a blood culture bottle incorporating a flexible diaphragm (septum) by detecting displacement of the septum, is characterised by the position or conformati

A method of monitoring the growth of microorganisms in liquid culture involving the detection of pressure change in a gas-tight container such as a blood culture bottle incorporating a flexible diaphragm (septum) by detecting displacement of the septum, is characterised by the position or conformation of the diaphragm being repeatedly sensed using a distance-measuring means, such as a laser, preferably capable of detecting a variation in the position or conformation of the diaphragm to an accuracy of 200.mu. or better, with a portion of the container adjacent the diaphragm conveniently being used as a reference to detect any relative positional or conformational change of the diaphragm. Preferably the laser repeatedly scans a plurality of containers mounted in a holder such as a flat bed or a carousel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, the improvement wherein the posi

[ We claim:] [1.] In a method of monitoring the growth of micro-organisms in liquid culture in a gas-tight container incorporating a flexible diaphragm capable of moving in response to pressure changes within the container, by detecting displacement of the diaphragm, the improvement wherein the position or conformation of the diaphragm is repeatedly sensed using a laser as distance-measuring means, and wherein a portion of the container adjacent the diaphragm is used as a reference against which all relative positional or conformational changes of the diaphragm are detected, said diaphragm being capable of moving between concave and convex configurations in response to pressure changes within the container.