Detection of viable pathogens in analyte using culture chamber with magnetostrictive sensors

A method for microorganism detection, the method comprising:

• filling a basin with a liquid analyte, wherein the basin includes a index plate having an array of wells, wherein each well contains a magnetostrictive sensor that comprises magnetostrictive material, and wherein each well aligns the corresponding magnetostrictive sensor in a predetermined orientation;
• incubating the liquid analyte at a controlled temperature in response to filling the basin;
• positioning a sensor coil beneath a first well of the index plate;
• applying a varying magnetic field, using the sensor coil, to a first magnetostrictive sensor within the first well in response to incubating the liquid analyte, wherein the first magnetostrictive sensor comprises a biorecognition element to bind with a microorganism;
• detecting a frequency response of the first magnetostrictive sensor using the sensor coil while applying the varying magnetic field;
• and
• determining whether a microorganism is present based on the detected frequency response.