Methods, systems, and devices for detecting and identifying microorganisms in microbiological culture samples
First Claim
1. A system for automatically processing a plurality of sample tubes containing a culture sample, said system comprising:
- an incubator for receiving the plurality of sample tubes therein and incubating the plurality of sample tubes at a predetermined temperature;
a first translational device coupled to the plurality of sample tubes and capable of moving the plurality of sample tubes to agitate the plurality of sample tubes, the first translational device further capable of moving the plurality of sample tubes from the incubator to a detection zone and agitating the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone;
the detection zone comprising a pelleting/read assembly, the pelleting/read assembly comprising;
a magnet assembly for applying a magnetic field to the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone to form a pellet in each of the plurality of sample tubes;
an optical device for interrogating each of the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone to detect one or more microorganisms; and
a second translational device coupled to the optical device and capable of moving the optical device within the detection zone to interrogate the pellets.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for detecting and/or identifying one or more specific microorganisms in a culture sample. Indicator particles, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active nanoparticles, each having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest, can form a complex with specific microorganisms in the culture sample. Further, agitating magnetic capture particles also having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest can be used to capture the microorganism-indicator particle complex and concentrate the complex in a localized area of an assay vessel for subsequent detection and identification. The complex can be dispersed, pelleted, and redispersed so that the culture sample can be retested a number of times during incubation so as to allow for real-time monitoring of the culture sample.
32 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system for automatically processing a plurality of sample tubes containing a culture sample, said system comprising:
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an incubator for receiving the plurality of sample tubes therein and incubating the plurality of sample tubes at a predetermined temperature; a first translational device coupled to the plurality of sample tubes and capable of moving the plurality of sample tubes to agitate the plurality of sample tubes, the first translational device further capable of moving the plurality of sample tubes from the incubator to a detection zone and agitating the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone; the detection zone comprising a pelleting/read assembly, the pelleting/read assembly comprising; a magnet assembly for applying a magnetic field to the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone to form a pellet in each of the plurality of sample tubes; an optical device for interrogating each of the plurality of sample tubes within the detection zone to detect one or more microorganisms; and a second translational device coupled to the optical device and capable of moving the optical device within the detection zone to interrogate the pellets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification