IMAGING CARTRIDGE, PIPETTE AND METHOD OF USE FOR DIRECT SPUTUM SMEAR MICROSCOPY Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC G01N33/48 A61B10/00 

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to detection of microorganisms. Assembly for preparing a specimen for determining the presence of at least one microorganism species in the specimen, the assembly comprising a pipette configured to collect a specimen from a sample, wherein the pipette comprises an inlet, a sampling chamber and a shaft located therebetween; as well as an imaging cartridge configured to connect to the pipette so as to form a biologically isolated system. Imaging cartridge comprises a pipette dock, configured to

(a) at least partially hold the pipette shaft and (b) connect with the pipette so as to form a fluid seal through (I) a threaded connection, (II) a snap connection, (III) a fit, (IV) a toothed mechanism, (V) a retaining washer and retainer or (Vi) clamping washers in the shape of a "star". Imaging cartridge for sample preparation is also disclosed, as well as a sample preparation method for determining the presence of at least one type of microorganism in the sample.

EFFECT: reduced sample contamination and user exposure.

32 cl, 12 dwg