Effective monitoring system for anthrax smallpox, or other pathogens
First Claim
1. A cartridge for detecting microorganisms, comprising:
- an intake or receptacle through which a fluid or a gas enters said cartridge or is added to said cartridge;
a filtering means through which said fluid or gas passes and retains microorganisms present in said fluid or gas;
an exhaust chamber, wherein said filtering means is interposed between said intake or receptacle and said exhaust chamber;
a medium reservoir on a side of said filtering means opposite said retained microorganisms, comprising a microbial growth medium and a reservoir breakable seal;
a plunger means, wherein pressure placed on said plunger means;
(i) engages a hermetic seal between said medium reservoir and filtering means;
(ii) breaks said reservoir breakable seal and forces growth medium through said filtering means in a direction opposite of flow of said fluid or gas; and
(iii) backwashes said microorganisms from said filtering means and suspends said microorganisms in said growth medium;
an incubation chamber for incubating and growing said microorganisms;
a thermally conductive surface for controlling the temperature of said incubation chamber;
an incubation chamber breakable seal through which said growth medium passes into a test chamber for detecting said microorganisms;
a detection means within said test chamber;
whereinsaid detection means determines the presence or absence of said microorganism without killing said microorganisms or inhibiting said growth; and
a transmission means;
wherein said presence or absence of said microorganism is reported via said transmission means to an assay analyzer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for detecting anthrax or other pathogens are disclosed. Individual self-contained monitoring devices of a monitoring system can be portable or stationary (e.g. installed in air ducts or plumbing of buildings) and can be part of a network of devices. Monitoring devices may be used for the detection of a variety of airborne or surface pathogens, including but not limited to anthrax, smallpox, and Salmonella. Bioamplification-coupled proteomics assays provide rapid and reliable detection of pathogens, with self-checking capabilities reducing or eliminating false positives and false negatives. Sample preservation capability allows pathogen samples to be preserved after detection for further testing. The device of the invention can be remotely operated by minimally trained technicians or security personnel. The pathogen monitoring device of the invention provides a more compact, accurate, rapid, and cost-effective alternative to other anthrax detectors, and an effective weapon against bioterrorism.
22 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A cartridge for detecting microorganisms, comprising:
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an intake or receptacle through which a fluid or a gas enters said cartridge or is added to said cartridge; a filtering means through which said fluid or gas passes and retains microorganisms present in said fluid or gas; an exhaust chamber, wherein said filtering means is interposed between said intake or receptacle and said exhaust chamber; a medium reservoir on a side of said filtering means opposite said retained microorganisms, comprising a microbial growth medium and a reservoir breakable seal; a plunger means, wherein pressure placed on said plunger means; (i) engages a hermetic seal between said medium reservoir and filtering means; (ii) breaks said reservoir breakable seal and forces growth medium through said filtering means in a direction opposite of flow of said fluid or gas; and (iii) backwashes said microorganisms from said filtering means and suspends said microorganisms in said growth medium; an incubation chamber for incubating and growing said microorganisms; a thermally conductive surface for controlling the temperature of said incubation chamber; an incubation chamber breakable seal through which said growth medium passes into a test chamber for detecting said microorganisms; a detection means within said test chamber;
whereinsaid detection means determines the presence or absence of said microorganism without killing said microorganisms or inhibiting said growth; and a transmission means;
wherein said presence or absence of said microorganism is reported via said transmission means to an assay analyzer.
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Specification