Capture and detection of microbes by membrane methods

• US 20060073585A1
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: McDevitt, John T., Floriano, Pierre, Christodoulides, Nick
• Application Number:
  US10/470,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073585A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/288.700
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/04 Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor C12Q1/6897 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/22 Testing for sterility conditions
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/24 Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/405 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/4077 by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0227 using imaging; using holography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0272 with screening; with classification by filtering B01D takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/019 Biological contaminants; Fouling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56911 Bacteria

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting the presence of analytes using a membrane based detection system are described. A fluid sample is passed through a membrane based detection system (100). Particulate analytes (e.g., microbes) are captured by the membrane (110). Detection and analysis techniques may be applied to determine the identity and quantity of the captured analytes.

Claims

1. An analyte detection device comprising:

a porous membrane;

a membrane support in contact with the membrane, wherein the membrane support is configured to maintain the membrane in a substantially planar orientation during use;

a top member positioned at a spaced distance above the porous membrane such that a first cavity is formed between the top member and the porous membrane, wherein the top member covers at least a portion of the porous membrane, and wherein the top member is substantially transparent to light, and wherein the top member comprises a fluid inlet configured to allow fluid to be introduced to the membrane through the top member, and wherein the top member comprises a wash fluid outlet configured to allow fluid to pass across the membrane out of the analyte detection device during a washing operation; and

a bottom member positioned below the porous membrane, wherein the bottom member is configured to receive fluid flowing through the porous membrane during use.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the porous membrane comprises pores having a diameter between about 0.2 microns to about 12 microns.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the top member is substantially transparent to visible light, and wherein the bottom member is substantially transparent to visible light.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the top member is substantially transparent to ultraviolet light, and wherein the bottom member is substantially transparent to ultraviolet light.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom member comprises an indentation configured to receive the membrane.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom member comprises a first indentation configured to receive the filter and a second indentation which is configured to receive fluid passing through the membrane during use.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the membrane support is composed of a porous material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the membrane support comprises pores that allow fluid to flow through the membrane support at a speed that is equal to or greater than the speed that fluid passes through membrane.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the membrane support provides sufficient support of the membrane during use to inhibit sagging of the membrane.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned between the membrane and the top member.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the top member comprises a fluid inlet configured to allow fluid to be introduced to the membrane through the top member.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom member comprises a fluid outlet configured to allow fluid to pass from the membrane out of the analyte detection device.

82. The device of claim 1, further comprising a body, wherein the porous membrane is coupled to the body.

3-4. -4. (canceled)

6-7. -7. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

18-21. -21. (canceled)

22. An analyte detection system comprising:

an analyte detection device, the analyte detection device comprising;

a porous membrane;

a membrane support in contact with the membrane, wherein the membrane support is configured to maintain the membrane in a substantially planar orientation during use;

a top member positioned at a spaced distance above the porous membrane such that a first cavity is formed between the top member and the porous membrane, wherein the top member covers at least a portion of the porous membrane, and wherein the top member is substantially transparent to light, and wherein the top member comprises a fluid inlet configured to allow fluid to be introduced to the membrane through the top member, and wherein the top member comprises a wash fluid outlet configured to allow fluid to pass across the membrane out of the analyte detection device during a washing operation; and

a bottom member positioned below the porous membrane, wherein the bottom member is configured to receive fluid flowing through the porous membrane during use;

a detector optically coupled to the porous membrane, wherein the detector is configured to view at least a portion of the membrane through the window;

a fluid delivery system coupled to the analyte detection device, wherein the fluid delivery system is configured to deliver fluid samples to the analyte detection device.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the fluid delivery system comprise one or more pumps.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the detector comprises a microscope.

81. The system of claim 22, wherein the top member comprises a fluid inlet configured to allow fluid be introduced to the membrane through the top member.

83. The system of claim 22, further comprising a body, wherein the porous membrane is coupled to the body.

23. (canceled)

25-27. -27. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the programmable controller is further coupled to the detector.

31-80. -80. (canceled)