Joseph Shawn Anderson

US Patent:

41152000, Sep 19, 1978

Filed:

Aug 9, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/712685

Inventors:

Joseph A. Anderson - Denver CO

International Classification:

C12K 104

US Classification:

195127

Abstract:

A motor driven inoculator is provided wherein a plurality of bacteriological transfer loops are mounted on a common head and are activated in response to the positioning of a tray of inoculum to cause the head to be lowered and then raised so that the loops pick up a sample of inoculum. The subsequent positioning of an antibiotic or antimicrobic microtube plate, etc. causes the head to be lowered and raised a second time so that the loops are lowered into the plate to place samples of inoculum in each of a plurality of wells in the plate by dispersion. The removal of the antibiotic plate initiates a sterilizing cycle wherein the head is lowered and raised a third time whereby the loops are heated to a very high temperature by passing electrical current therethrough to volatilize all material thereon and then they are subsequently air cooled prior to the beginning of the next cycle. In an alternative embodiment the inoculum on the loops may be dispersed by percussion. The inoculum tray includes a plurality of grooves and ridges so that a minimal amount of inoculum is necessary for use in placing samples on the loops by dipping.

US Patent:

42627117, Apr 21, 1981

Filed:

Feb 13, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/011877

Inventors:

Joseph A. Anderson - Denver CO

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

141238

Abstract:

An apparatus is provided for filling the wells of an antibiotic plate with different concentrations of fluid including an array of fluid containers, each having a single needle valve inserted through a stopper member which is held in an open end of the container. Each needle valve includes an inner tube for supplying pressurizing air to one end of the containers which forces the fluid through an outer tube of the needle valve and out the opposite end of the container. A length of flexible tubing connected to each of the needle valve outer tubes carries the fluid through one of a plurality of slots formed in a pinch valve assembly. The pinch valve assembly includes slide members and resilient pinch rods extending laterally from sides thereof. In a first position, the slide members are held such that the pinch rods close the flexible tubing to prevent passage of the fluid into the wells of the antibiotic plate. In a second position, the slide members are held such that the pinch rods do not closably engage the tubing but permit the passage of fluid into the wells.