Membrane filter bacterial count incubator

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of membrane filtration bacterial counting incubator, including effusion base, water-absorbing pad and filter membrane, the support surface is provided on the effusion base, the water-absorbing pad is supported on the support surface and is padded below the filter membrane, multiple downward recessed effusion grooves are provided at the support surface.The utility model is provided with multiple effusion grooves at the support surface of effusion base, and liquid can be supplemented to water-absorbing pad, which can be liquid medium or moisture, to provide sufficient moisture and nutrient components for water-absorbing pad, so that the filter membrane can directly incubate bacterial colonies in the membrane filtration bacterial counting incubator, and the purpose of colony counting is achieved.The liquid in multiple effusion grooves can keep water-absorbing pad moist, reduce or even eliminate the possibility of low water content in the medium in water-absorbing pad, and better support the normal growth of bacteria on the filter membrane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microbial limit detection technology, specifically to a membrane filter bacterial counting culture device. Background Technology

[0002] Membrane filtration is a commonly used colony counting method. It involves filtering the sample solution using a membrane in a microbial filter or similar device, trapping bacteria on the membrane. After filtration, the membrane is removed and placed on an agar plate for incubation and counting. However, this colony counting method has the following technical problems: the procedure is cumbersome, requiring membrane transfer, which increases experimental time and material costs, increases the risk of membrane contamination by environmental microorganisms, and increases the risk of infection for operators with pathogenic microorganisms. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a membrane filter bacterial counting culture device to alleviate or eliminate at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems. The present invention discloses a membrane filter bacterial counting culture device, comprising a liquid collection base, an absorbent pad, and a filter membrane. The liquid collection base is provided with a support surface, the absorbent pad is supported on the support surface and placed under the filter membrane, and the support surface is provided with multiple downwardly recessed liquid collection grooves.

[0004] Optionally, the liquid accumulation base includes a bottom wall and a grid-like protrusion extending upward from the bottom wall, wherein the grid cells of the grid-like protrusion and the bottom wall form the liquid accumulation groove.

[0005] Optionally, the mesh-like protrusions include multiple transverse protrusions and multiple longitudinal protrusions, with the transverse protrusions and longitudinal protrusions arranged intersecting each other.

[0006] Optionally, the mesh-like protrusions include multiple annular protrusions spaced apart from the inside out and multiple radial protrusions that intersect with the multiple annular protrusions.

[0007] Optionally, the absorbent pad may contain a pre-filled dried culture medium.

[0008] Optionally, the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device further includes a membrane pressing element and a lid, the liquid collection base includes a bottom wall and an annular sidewall extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall, the membrane pressing element is connected to the liquid collection base, the filter membrane is clamped between the membrane pressing element and the liquid collection base, and the lid covers the opening at the upper end of the annular sidewall.

[0009] Optionally, the outer diameter of the absorbent pad is smaller than the inner diameter of the annular sidewall, and there is a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the absorbent pad and the inner peripheral surface of the annular sidewall.

[0010] Optionally, the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device further includes a housing, a liquid collection base connected to the lower end of the housing, the liquid collection base and the housing forming a container cavity, an inlet for liquid to enter the container cavity is provided on the upper part of the housing, a drain outlet for liquid to exit the container cavity is provided at the support surface, and the filter membrane is located between the housing and the liquid collection base.

[0011] This utility model has the following features: By setting multiple liquid collection tanks on the support surface of the liquid collection base, liquid can be added to the absorbent pad. The liquid can be liquid culture medium or water, providing sufficient moisture and nutrients to the absorbent pad, so that the filter membrane can be directly incubated and cultured in the membrane filter bacterial counting incubator to achieve the purpose of colony counting.

[0012] The liquid in multiple collection tanks keeps the absorbent pad moist, reducing or even eliminating the possibility of the culture medium in the absorbent pad having too low a moisture content, thus better supporting the normal growth of bacteria on the filter membrane. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid accumulation base described in some embodiments; Figure 2 This is a top view of the liquid accumulation base described in one of the embodiments; Figure 3 This is a top view of the liquid accumulation base described in another embodiment; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device described in one of the embodiments; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device described in some embodiments; Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of the document; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the membrane-filtered bacterial counting culture device described in another embodiment.

[0014] In the diagram: 1—liquid collection base, 2—absorbent pad, 3—filter membrane, 4—film pressing component, 5—cap, 6—shell body, 7—top cover. 101—Bottom wall, 102—Annular side wall, 103—Filter membrane mounting surface, 104—Water absorption pad mounting groove, 105—Liquid collection tank, 106—Grid-like protrusion, 107—Drain outlet. 1061—Transverse protrusion, 1062—Longitudinal protrusion, 1063—Annular protrusion, 1064—Radial protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] The embodiments of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are only for illustrating this utility model and not for limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0017] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. The illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0018] like Figures 1 to 6 The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device shown includes a liquid collection base 1, an absorbent pad 2 and a filter membrane 3. The liquid collection base 1 is provided with a support surface, the absorbent pad 2 is supported on the support surface and placed under the filter membrane 3, and a plurality of downwardly recessed liquid collection grooves 105 are provided on the support surface.

[0019] Using the above technical solution, multiple liquid collection tanks 105 can replenish the absorbent pad 2 with liquid. The liquid can be liquid culture medium or water to replenish the culture medium in the absorbent pad 2. The liquid in the liquid collection tank 105 provides sufficient moisture and nutrients to the absorbent pad 2, so that the filter membrane 3 can be directly incubated and cultured in the membrane filter bacterial counting incubator to achieve the purpose of colony counting.

[0020] By setting a liquid collection tank 105 on the liquid collection base 1, a certain amount of liquid is stored in the liquid collection tank 105. After the water in the culture medium in the absorbent pad 2 evaporates, the liquid in the liquid collection tank 105 can replenish the water in the absorbent pad 2 in time, so that the absorbent pad 2 can be kept moist. This reduces or even eliminates the possibility that the water content of the culture medium in the absorbent pad 2 is too low, and can better support the normal growth of bacteria on the filter membrane 3.

[0021] As a preferred example, the collection tank 105 is adapted to contain liquids containing culture medium components.

[0022] In some embodiments, the liquid collection base 1 includes a bottom wall 101 and a grid-like protrusion 106 protruding upward from the bottom wall 101. The grid cells of the grid-like protrusion 106 and the bottom wall 101 form a liquid collection groove 105, and the upper side of the grid-like protrusion 106 constitutes a support surface. The grid-like protrusion 106 can provide good support for the absorbent pad 2, achieving the water collection function while also providing good support for the absorbent pad 2.

[0023] In practice, the size and shape of the grid cells of the grid-like protrusions 106 can be designed according to the actual liquid accumulation requirements.

[0024] In practical implementation, the liquid accumulation base 1 can be made by one-piece injection molding, and the concave and convex structure on the injection mold surface can be used to form a grid-like protrusion 106.

[0025] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the mesh-like protrusions 106 include multiple transverse protrusions 1061 and multiple longitudinal protrusions 1062, which are arranged intersectingly. This mesh-like protrusion 106 has the characteristics of uniform distribution of supporting force, uniform distribution of liquid accumulation grooves 105, and ease of manufacturing.

[0026] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the mesh-like protrusions 106 include multiple rings of annular protrusions 1063 spaced apart from the inside out, and multiple radial protrusions 1064 intersecting the multiple rings of annular protrusions 1063. By providing multiple rings of annular protrusions 1063 spaced apart from the inside out and multiple radial protrusions 1064 extending radially, a stable support can be provided for the circular absorbent pad 2 from all directions. Even with fewer protrusions, good support can be provided for the circular absorbent pad 2, and it can be well adapted to the circular absorbent pad 2.

[0027] In some embodiments, the absorbent pad 2 is pre-filled with a dry culture medium. The dry culture medium dissolves upon contact with water, providing nutrients for the bacteria on the filter membrane 3 and facilitating the direct incubation and culture of bacterial colonies within the membrane filter bacterial counting incubator.

[0028] In some embodiments, the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device further includes a membrane pressing member 4 and a cover 5. The liquid collection base 1 includes a bottom wall 101 and an annular sidewall 102 extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall 101. The membrane pressing member 4 is connected to the liquid collection base 1. The filter membrane 3 is held between the membrane pressing member 4 and the liquid collection base 1. The cover 5 covers the opening at the upper end of the annular sidewall 102.

[0029] The working process of the aforementioned membrane filter bacterial counting culture device is as follows: the absorbent pad 2 absorbs the water in the sample solution on the filter membrane 3, thus filtering out the water and trapping the bacteria on the filter membrane 3. In practice, a portion of liquid culture medium (e.g., broth) can be added to the sample solution. The absorbent pad 2 absorbs the liquid culture medium, and the collection tank 105 stores it. After the water in the sample solution and broth on the filter membrane 3 is absorbed, the filter membrane 3 can be cultured directly on the culture medium formed by the absorbent pad 2 within the bacterial collection culture device. After the water in the culture medium in the absorbent pad 2 evaporates, the liquid culture medium in the collection tank 105 replenishes the absorbent pad 2 with water and nutrients, keeping it moist.

[0030] In practice, simply open the lid 5 to add liquid to the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device. Usually, 2 ml of sample solution is added. The sample solution naturally permeates through the filter membrane 3 and soaks into the absorbent pad 2, flowing into the liquid collection tank 105. Alternatively, 1 ml of liquid sample can be added first, followed by 1 ml of liquid culture medium or water.

[0031] As a specific example, a filter membrane mounting portion is also provided on the bottom wall 101 of the liquid collection base 1. The filter membrane mounting portion is arranged around the periphery of the support surface and protrudes upward from the support surface. The upper side of the filter membrane mounting portion is the filter membrane mounting surface 103. The support surface and the inner peripheral surface of the filter membrane mounting portion form a water-absorbing pad mounting groove 104. The water-absorbing pad mounting groove 104 can limit the position of the water-absorbing pad 2, ensure the working performance of the water-absorbing pad 2, and also ensure the relative position between the water-absorbing pad 2 and the liquid collection tank 105.

[0032] As a preferred example, the outer diameter of the absorbent pad 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the annular sidewall 102, and there is a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the absorbent pad 2 and the inner circumferential surface of the annular sidewall 102. The purpose of this technical solution is to prevent the sample liquid from accumulating along the edge connecting the filter membrane 3 and the filter membrane mounting part under the action of surface tension when the liquid is naturally absorbed, thus preventing bacteria from easily accumulating and growing in a continuous line at this edge, making it impossible to count. Experimental testing has shown that if the diameter of the absorbent pad 2 is appropriately smaller than the inner diameter of the annular sidewall 102, the situation where bacteria accumulate and grow in a continuous line at the edge connecting the filter membrane 3 and the filter membrane mounting part, making it impossible to count, can be avoided.

[0033] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7As shown, the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device also includes a shell, a liquid collection base 1 connected to the lower end of the shell, and the liquid collection base 1 and the shell forming a container cavity. An inlet for liquid to enter the container cavity is provided on the upper part of the shell, and a drain outlet 107 for liquid to exit the container cavity is provided on the support surface. The filter membrane 3 is located between the shell and the liquid collection base 1. The drain outlet 107 is used to remove excess liquid and air to facilitate pressure relief and allow the liquid to be absorbed and transferred to the water collection tank. Before placing the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device in the incubator, the drain outlet 107 should be sealed and the top cover 7 should be closed to prevent moisture loss.

[0034] In practical implementation, the shell typically includes a cylindrical or annular shell body 6 and a top cover 7 connected to the upper end of the shell body 6. The lower end of the shell body 6 is connected to the liquid collection base 1. The structure and dimensions of the shell can be designed according to the volume requirements of the container cavity, and the liquid inlet is usually located on the top cover 7.

[0035] Obviously, depending on the requirements, the shell can be a top cover 7 without a liquid inlet, and liquid can be added by opening the top cover 7; depending on the requirements, the top cover 7 and the shell body 6 can be a separate structure; depending on the requirements, the top cover 7 and the shell body 6 can also be a one-piece structure, for example, the top cover 7 and the shell body 6 are integrally molded plastic parts to form an integral shell, and liquid is added through the liquid inlet at the top of the shell.

[0036] In practice, the filter membrane 3 can be clamped between the pressure ring of the housing and the filter membrane mounting surface of the liquid collection base 1.

[0037] The working process of the above-mentioned membrane filter bacterial counting culture device is as follows: the sample solution enters the container cavity through the inlet. Under positive or negative pressure, the sample solution is filtered through the filter membrane 3 and discharged from the outlet 107. After the sample solution is filtered, liquid culture medium can be added to the container cavity to replace the liquid in the absorbent pad 2 and the collection tank 105. The culture medium in the absorbent pad 2 supports the growth of bacteria on the filter membrane 3. After the water in the culture medium in the absorbent pad 2 evaporates, the liquid culture medium in the collection tank 105 can replenish the absorbent pad 2 with water and nutrients in time, so that the absorbent pad 2 remains moist.

[0038] Obviously, the membrane filter bacterial counting culture device can also be configured as a vacuum filtration cup. A connection structure for connecting to the vacuum filtration device can be set at the bottom of the liquid collection base 1 to accommodate the vacuum filtration testing needs of large sample volumes, such as 50 ml, 100 ml, and above. Alternatively, a sample container connected to the inlet can be used to add sample solution to the container cavity. When using a flexible sample container whose volume can change with pressure, positive pressure can be created using the sample container. This positive pressure drives the sample solution in the container cavity through the filter membrane 3 and the absorbent pad 2, and then liquid culture medium is added to provide nutrients for the growth of bacteria intercepted on the filter membrane 3.

[0039] In practical implementation, since the filter membrane 3 can be cultured directly in the membrane filter bacterial counting culturer, in order to prevent the liquid inlet of the top cover 7 from blocking the view, the liquid inlet can be set off-center. The observation position can be adjusted by rotating it to facilitate counting and observation.

[0040] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present utility model, and the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present utility model are all within the protection scope of the present utility model. In the description of this specification, the reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic associated with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0041] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the orientation based on the coordinate system in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

Claims

1. A membrane filter bacterial counting culture device, characterized in that, It includes a liquid collection base, an absorbent pad, and a filter membrane. The liquid collection base is provided with a support surface, the absorbent pad is supported on the support surface and placed under the filter membrane, and the support surface is provided with multiple downwardly recessed liquid collection grooves.

2. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid accumulation base includes a bottom wall and a grid-like protrusion extending upward from the bottom wall, wherein the grid cells of the grid-like protrusion and the bottom wall form the liquid accumulation groove.

3. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grid-like protrusions include multiple transverse protrusions and multiple longitudinal protrusions, with the transverse protrusions and longitudinal protrusions arranged in an intersecting pattern.

4. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The grid-like protrusions include multiple annular protrusions spaced apart from the inside out and multiple radial protrusions that intersect with the multiple annular protrusions.

5. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The absorbent pad contains a pre-filled dried culture medium.

6. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device further includes a membrane pressing element and a lid. The liquid collection base includes a bottom wall and an annular sidewall extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom wall. The membrane pressing element is connected to the liquid collection base. The filter membrane is clamped between the membrane pressing element and the liquid collection base. The lid covers the opening at the upper end of the annular sidewall.

7. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the absorbent pad is smaller than the inner diameter of the annular sidewall, and there is a gap between the outer circumferential surface of the absorbent pad and the inner circumferential surface of the annular sidewall.

8. The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The membrane filter bacterial counting culture device also includes a housing, a liquid collection base connected to the lower end of the housing, the liquid collection base and the housing forming a container cavity, an inlet for liquid to enter the container cavity is provided on the upper part of the housing, and a drain for liquid to exit the container cavity is provided on the support surface, and the filter membrane is located between the housing and the liquid collection base.

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