Microfluidic microorganism detection system
First Claim
1. A microorganism detection system comprising:
- a flow cell having a passageway including an antibody for said microorganism immobilized on an interior surface of said passageway, said passageway adapted to isolate said microorganism; and
a microchip sensor adapted to electronically detect a dielectric property of said isolated microorganism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for detecting microorganisms and abiotic or biotic contaminants in fluids, including food and potable and environmental waters. Various embodiments of the system include a capillary transport element and a microsensor element. The capillary transport element isolates and purifies the targeted substance. The microsensor element includes a channel with electrodes for detecting dielectric properties of the targeted substance. Both the transport element and the microsensor may be fabricated using micromachining or nanofabrication techniques. In one embodiment, an output of the transport element is coupled to the input of a microsensor. The targeted substance can be retained in a storage vessel for further analysis. The system may be integrated into a handheld device using disposable cartridges for detecting different microorganisms or contaminants.
37 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A microorganism detection system comprising:
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a flow cell having a passageway including an antibody for said microorganism immobilized on an interior surface of said passageway, said passageway adapted to isolate said microorganism; and
a microchip sensor adapted to electronically detect a dielectric property of said isolated microorganism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for isolating a component of a fluid, said apparatus comprising:
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an input port;
a first planar element having an input edge, a first output edge, and a first plurality of fluid pathways on a first surface of said first planar element between said first input edge and said first output edge, said first input edge of said planar element being coupled to said first input port;
a binding partner that selectively binds to said component, said binding partner immobilized on at least a subset of said first plurality of fluid pathways;
an output port coupled to said first output edge of said first planar element; and
a sealing surface sealably coupled to said first surface of said first planar element;
wherein fluid traversing said first planar element is communicated through said first plurality of said fluid pathways by said planar element and said sealing surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of manufacturing an isolator assembly, said method comprising:
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receiving a micromachined mold having a plurality of pathways;
applying a silicone elastomer to said mold;
curing said silicone elastomer for a predetermined time;
removing said silicone elastomer from said mold;
immobilizing a binding partner for a predetermined microorganism to a portion of the silicone elastomer corresponding to the plurality of pathways of the mold; and
bonding a sealing surface to said silicone elastomer. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A microsensor comprising:
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a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid including one or more discrete subunits;
a channel coupled to said fluid inlet, said channel including an interior surface coupled to an orifice, wherein said orifice is adapted for sequentially passing a single discrete subunit;
a first electrode coupled to said orifice;
a second electrode coupled to said orifice, said second electrode electrically isolated from said first electrode; and
a fluid outlet coupled to said channel;
wherein an electrical signal applied to said first electrode is capacitatively communicated to said second electrode as a function of said single discrete subunit within said orifice. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A system for determining a dielectric property for a pathogen, said system comprising:
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fluid intake means adapted to receive a sample fluid, said sample fluid including one or more discrete pathogen subunits, said fluid intake means adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of sample fluid;
first orifice means adapted for passing a single said discrete pathogen subunit, said first orifice means coupled to said fluid intake means;
electrode means adapted for generating an electric field in said first orifice means, said electric field transmitted through a sample fluid within said first orifice means;
signal generating means adapted for generating an input electrical signal and applying said input electrical signal to said electrode means; and
processor means adapted for receiving an output electric signal from said electrode means and determining a dielectric property of said subunit in said first orifice means based on said input electric signal and said output electric signal. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of detecting a targeted substance, comprising:
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introducing a sample fluid suspected of including said targeted substance to a capillary system having an interior surface, said interior surface including an immobilized binding partner that binds with a subunit of said target substance;
releasing said subunit from said immobilized binding partner;
exposing said released subunit to an electromagnetic field within an orifice, said orifice adapted for sequentially passing a single subunit; and
determining a dielectric property for said subunit in said orifice. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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Specification