Method and apparatus for microbiological analysis of biological samples in liquid suspension by light scattering techniques

摘要

Method and apparatus for microbiological analysis of biological samples in liquid suspension by light-scattering technique, which employs test-tube containers (11) made of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiations of a determined wave length, each container (11) cooperating with a thermostat system (17) and at least momentarily with a stirring assembly (31) and relative keeper stirring means (18), the container (11) cooperating with a focussing and collimation system (22) and with a monitoring device (24), the electromagnetic radiation of a determined wave length emitted with its own axis (29) of emission and transmitted through the container (11) by the focussing and collimation system (22) being scattered by the microorganisms present in the sample with an intensity related to their number and morphology, this scattered radiation being picked-up in succession with desired timing by the monitoring device (24) according to determined angles, from 0 DEG to 180 DEG , in relation to the emission axis (29) with a resulting data collection and construction of a curve, representing intensity of scattered radiation versus time, whose parameters are compared with reference values contained in a data bank of a data processing unit (13) for determination of the typical parameters of the analysis which are the numbers, the replication rate and the morphology of microorganisms present in the sample. IMAGE