Portable device and system for rapid detection of a bacterial cell in fluid samples

A system for rapid analysis of a fluid sample for detection of at least one viable microbial organism therein, the system comprising:

• a reader component comprising a housing containing therein:
• an illumination supply in communication with a port extending to a selected target site on an outer casing,
• circuitry for controlling the illumination supply,
• a potentiostat;
• circuitry interconnecting the potentiostat with one or more receptacles;
• a detector configured for detecting one or more differences in photocurrent outputs between a reference source and a sample source;
• wherein said reader component is configured for electronic communication with a microprocessor for modulation of the circuitry for controlling the illumination supply and for modulation of the potentiostat;
• and
• at least one cartridge comprising a casing with a tab extending outward from a side surface of the casing, the tab configured for demountable engagement with the one or more receptacles,
• a first well extending downward from an upper surface of the casing, said first well configured for receiving a fluid sample therein,
• a second well imbedded in the casing underneath a first portion of the first well, said second well having a screen printed electrode housing therein a counter electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab and a reference electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab;
• a third well imbedded in the casing underneath a second portion of the first well, said third well having a light-addressable potentiometric sensor with an upper surface having a layer of functionalized pH-sensitive hydrogel nanofibers thereon, said light-addressable potentiometric sensor having a working electrode having a terminal end exposed at the tab;
• wherein a bottom surface of the casing has a bore extending upward to about a bottom surface of the third well, said bore configured for communication with the port;
• and wherein the screen printed electrode is configured to communicate a reference signal to the detector and the light-addressable potentiometric sensor is configured to communicate a sample signal to the detector.