Method and apparatus for rapid detection of bacterial contamination
AssigneeUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore County
InventorsGovind RAO, Yordan KOSTOV, Mustafa AL-ADHAMI, Chandrasekhar GURRAMKONDA
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Abstract
A device and method for detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample are provided. A multi-step process for sample preparation is utilized and a microfluidic device is disclosed. The detection is performed using microfluidics and physical changes in multiple samples in differential mode.
Claims20
A microfluidic cassette comprising:
- at least two channels, wherein a first channel is communicatively connected to a first chamber and a second channel is communicatively connected to a second chamber, wherein the cassette further comprises at least one inlet injection port and each channel has a dedicated outlet injection port, wherein each injection port has a septum.
A kinetic fluorometer system, said system comprising:
- an excitation module comprising a light source and a voltage-controlled current source;
- a microfluidic cassette;
- an excitation filter mounted between the light source and the microfluidic cassette;
- a detector positioned 90° relative to the excitation light path from the light source;
- an emission filter positioned between the detector and the microfluidic cassette;
- and
- a microprocessor.
A method of detecting the presence of viable cells in a sample, said method comprising detecting a physical property of a sample and a sample-derived negative control and comparing same to determine a differential rate, wherein the differential rate is indicative of the presence of viable cells in the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.