Micromethod and Device For the Rapid Detection, Enumeration and Identification of Microorganisms
AssigneeNanologix, Inc.
InventorSergey Gazenko
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a device such as a medical device for the rapid detection, enumeration and identification of microorganisms. It is based on the production and accumulation of absorbent or fluorescent molecules during reactions between artificial substrates and enzymes in micro-channels of a sampling-detecting unit of the device. Enzymes of cells, or enzymes attached to cell bodies through antibody-enzyme conjugates, produce easily detectable concentrations of colored or fluorescent molecules in very small volumes, much faster than what is produced in conventional large volume devices. Microorganisms contained in the micro-channels appear as colored or fluorescent dots when viewed using a light or a fluorescent microscope.
Claims15
A medical device for the rapid detection, enumeration and/or identification of one or more microorganisms, comprising:
- a sampling detecting unit (SDU) comprised of a micro-channel plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said micro-channel plate having formed therein a plurality of vertically elongated, parallel micro-channels which are open at said upper surface and at said lower surface of said micro-channel plate;
- a filter having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface of said filter positioned adjacent to said lower surface of said micro-channel plate;
- an intermediate layer adjacent said lower surface of said filter;
- and
- a base adjacent said intermediate layer.
A device for the rapid detection, enumeration and/or identification of one or more microorganisms, comprising:
- a sampling detecting unit (SDU) comprised of a micro-channel plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, said micro-channel plate having formed therein a plurality of vertically elongated, parallel micro-channels which are open at said upper surface and at said lower surface of said micro-channel plate;
- a filter having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface of said filter positioned adjacent to said lower surface of said micro-channel plate;
- an intermediate layer adjacent said lower surface of said filter;
- and
- a base adjacent said intermediate layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.