Liposomal detection devices and methods for their use and preparation
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorsMichael Keoni Manion, George Charles Peppou
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Liposomal detection devices and methods of making and using such devices are disclosed. Such liposomal detection devices may be used to detect microbes by detecting a byproduct of microbial metabolism, or may be used to detect changes in pH and/or changes in temperature. Liposomal detection devices may include a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound and a second liposome encapsulating a second destabilizing compound. The first liposome may destabilize in response to the detection of the target compound or change to release the first destabilizing compound which may destabilize the second liposome. A matrix, such as a hydrogel matrix, may encase the first liposome and the second liposome.
Claims26
A microbial detection device comprising:
- a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound, wherein the first liposome destabilizes in response to a byproduct of microbial metabolism to release the first destabilizing compound from the first liposome;
- a second liposome capable of being destabilized by the first destabilizing compound released from the first liposome, wherein the second liposome encapsulates a second destabilizing compound capable of destabilizing the first liposome when the second liposome is destabilized and releases the second destabilizing compound, wherein the second destabilizing compound is different than the first destabilizing compound;
- and
- a matrix encasing the first liposome and the second liposome.
A method of detecting microbial contamination, the method comprising:
- providing a microbial detection device comprising:
- a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound, wherein the first liposome destabilizes in response to a byproduct of microbial metabolism to release the first destabilizing compound from the first liposome;
- a second liposome capable of being destabilized by the first destabilizing compound released from the first liposome, wherein the second liposome encapsulates a second destabilizing compound capable of destabilizing the first liposome when the second liposome is destabilized and releases the second destabilizing compound, wherein the second destabilizing compound is different than the first destabilizing compound;
- and
- a matrix encasing the first liposome and the second liposome;
- detecting a signal transduced by any of the first liposome, the second liposome, or a combination thereof in presence of the byproduct, wherein presence of the signal indicates a presence of at least one microbe.
A method of making a microbial detection device, the method comprising:
- providing a first liposome encapsulating a first destabilizing compound, wherein the first liposome destabilizes in response to a byproduct of microbial metabolism to release the first destabilizing compound from the first liposome;
- providing a second liposome capable of being destabilized by the first destabilizing compound released from the first liposome, wherein the second liposome encapsulates a second destabilizing compound capable of destabilizing the first liposome when the second liposome is destabilized and releases the second destabilizing compound, wherein the second destabilizing compound is different than the first destabilizing compound;
- and
- encasing the first liposome and the second liposome with a matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.