Patent ID: 8633016

Claim:
A method for detecting microbial contents of a sample substance, comprising the steps of: providing a microbial detection device including: a tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends; a pierceable septum configured to seal the first end of the tubular body; a plunger head configured to substantially close the second end of the tubular body, the plunger head being spaced from the second end of the tubular body; and the plunger head, the pierceable septum, and the tubular body defining a reservoir having a first volume and including a bacterial growth medium, wherein the plunger head is movable within the tubular body in response to changes in pressure within the reservoir; depositing a sample substance in the reservoir of the microbial detection device; and observing the position of the plunger head within the tubular body to determine whether bacterial growth has taken place in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume when the plunger head has moved toward the second end of the tubular body in response to increased pressure within the reservoir as a result of bacterial growth.