Patent ID: 8241867

Claim:
A method for collecting and detecting the growth of microorganisms in a specimen, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an integrated filtration and detection device including: a container including a side wall and a fixed end wall defining a chamber therein and having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the end wall defines a continuous closed surface that is continuous with the side wall and free of openings, and wherein the container has a transparent section a filter for filtering fluids, the filter mounted in the chamber between the inlet and the outlet; and a sensor mounted in the chamber parallel to and against the end wall of the chamber, the sensor operative to exhibit a change in a measureable property thereof upon exposure to changes in the chamber due to microbial growth and wherein the sensor and the filter are disposed at opposed ends of the chamber; b) passing the specimen into the chamber through the inlet, through the filter and out of the chamber through the outlet to collect the microorganisms on filter; and thereafter c) detecting changes in the measurable property of the sensor through the transparent section.