Handle for inoculating loop

Details Handle for inoculating loop Handle for inoculating loop

2000-10-03

2001-06-12

Redding, David A. (Department: 1744)

Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology

Apparatus

Inoculator, streaker, or sampler

C073S864720, C073S864160, C422S105000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06245559

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to inoculation devices and, more particularly, to a handle apparatus for sanitary manipulation and control of inoculation loops during inoculation procedures.
BACKGROUND ART
In traditional laboratory inoculation techniques, as discussed in prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,899, entitled “Calibrated Inoculation Assembly and Method of Preserving Sterility,” after a desired microorganism has been successfully incubated in a nutrient broth substance, it is necessary to further colonize the microorganism so that a particular strain can be identified and researched. For this, a predetermined quantity of inoculant from the broth is extracted and implanted in a nutrient medium so that the microorganism can be grown under controlled conditions.
A common tool used to inoculate the nutrient medium is an inoculation loop, which includes a loop end that carries the inoculant solution to the nutrient medium. A handle device is releasably coupled to the opposite end of the inoculation loop in order to allow the researcher to grasp and manipulate the inoculation loop in a sanitary, controlled manner while performing the inoculation procedures. Once used, an inoculation loop is disposed of, while the handle is re-used to perform additional inoculation procedures.
Typical prior art handles have been undesirably complex and costly to fabricate, requiring a multiplicity of injection molded and metal parts to fabricate and an undesirable amount of time to assemble.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the design of an inoculation loop handle in order to reduce its fabrication cost, while still maintaining its functionality and ease of use.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Briefly described, the inoculation loop assembly of the present invention is formed as a two-piece assembly, which reduces the molding cost and greatly simplifies assembly. The device comprises an elongated body having an upper end and a lower end and an axial bore therethrough, and an elongated plunger mounted for longitudinal movement within the axial bore of the body between an extended position and a retracted position. The plunger includes an upper end extending exteriorly of the upper end of the body with a finger pad thereon. The plunger further includes a plunger shoulder spaced from the finger pad along the length of the plunger, which cooperates with a body shoulder to limit plunger movement. The body includes a resilient, slotted upper end formed for outward displacement of the adjacent body portions to permit enlargement of the axial bore at the upper end of the body for insertion of the lower end of the plunger into the axial bore and advancement of the plunger in the bore to its normal operating range. A narrow diameter length of the plunger provides a plunger shoulder for engaging the body shoulder to limit movement of the plunger outwardly beyond its retracted position. The finger pad of the plunger is adapted to engage the upper end of the body to limit inward movement of the plunger beyond its extended position.
According to an aspect of the invention, the plunger is a one piece monolithically formed member and the body is a one piece monolithically formed member. Monolithic formation of the two-piece assembly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs while still retaining reliable loop mounting, manipulation, and ejection.
According to another aspect of the invention, the narrow diameter section of the body is a neck portion at the upper end of the body, and the axial bore is formed with a diameter from the neck portion to the lower end adapted to permit removal of an injection molding core pin from the lower end of the body.
According to still another aspect of the invention, the body includes at least one radial hole extending through the body to the axial bore thereof Preferably, a plurality of radial holes are provided, each extending through the body to the axial bore thereof, and the plurality of radial holes are equally spaced along the length of the body in order to promote even and rapid cooling of the body mass after injection molding and after autoclaving.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the claims, which are all incorporated herein as part of the disclosure of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3742187 (1973-06-01), Folus
patent: 5330899 (1994-07-01), De Vaughn
patent: 5650124 (1997-07-01), Gilson

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