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Abstract

Aspects of the present invention provide novel apparatus and methods for sampling microbial organisms present on surfaces. Preferred apparatus comprises: a reservoir suitable for providing microbial collection fluid; a sterilizable sample collection chamber; a sterilizable, integrated collection fluid delivery and collection fluid recovery member, suitable to deliver collection fluid to a target surface, and contemporaneously recover the delivered fluid from the surface; delivery means, in communication with both the reservoir and the integrated member, and operable to aseptically deliver collection fluid from the reservoir to the integrated member; and vacuum means, in communication with both the sample collection chamber and the integrated member, and operable to direct collection fluid, delivered and recovered by the integrated member, to the sample collection chamber. Additional aspects provide a method for rapid, high-throughput sampling of microbial organisms present on surfaces, comprising: delivering sample collection fluid to a target surface, and contemporaneously recovering the delivered fluid from the target surface by means of an integrated collection fluid delivery and collection fluid recovery member; and collecting the recovered sample collection fluid into a sample collection chamber in communication with the integrated member, whereby sample collection is, at least in part, achieved. The inventive methods and apparatus can be applied to both surface sampling and to atmospheric sampling.

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First Claim