Microfluidic chamber assembly for mastitis assay

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for the detection of mastitis or other disease from a body fluid of a mammal for example from cow's milk. The device and method relates to a wedge microfluidic chamber for using a minimal amount of fluid and being able to use the device to observe leukocytes in a mono-layer for the purpose of disease detection, cell counts or the like.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 785,877 filed on 24 Mar. 2006 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to microfluidic chamber for analyzing a subjects' body fluids, in particular milk, to determine if the subject has a bacterial infection such as bovine mastitis. Specifically, the invention relates to a chamber assembly which can be used to detect mastitis or other bacterial disease in bovine or other mammal species.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland caused by microorganisms that invade one or more quadrants of the bovine udder, multiply, and produce toxins that are harmful to the mammary gland. Economic loss to mastitis in the United States is estimated to be approximately $185 / cow annually. The total annual US cost of mastitis is over $ 2 billion. This is approximately...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]It is an object of the invention to provide both an assay and a novel microfluidic slide assembly using the wedge design that can be used to test leucocyte containing body fluids such as bovine milk for a leucocyte differential test. It is an object to make the test and slide useful for the farmer in the field and easy enough for a farmer to do or at least prepare. The test is relatively quick, easy to do, accurate, wherein the slide is disposable. The farmer can do the test in the field and use very small volumes of milk. The above objectives and more are achieved by the present invention and are distinct novel advantages as can be further seen from the disclosure herein.

Problems solved by technology

This is approximately 10% of the total value of farm milk sales, and about two-thirds of this loss is due to reduced milk production in subclinically infected cows.

Other losses are due to discarded abnormal milk and milk withheld from cows treated with antibiotic, costs of early replacement of affected cows, reduced sale value of culled cows, costs of drugs and veterinary services, and increased labor costs.

Mastitis reduces milk yield and alters milk composition.

Subclinical mastitis causes the greatest financial loss to dairy farmers through lowered milk production.

One method is using flow-cytometry, an expensive, sophisticated tool only found in top research laboratories.

This method is not even remotely practical for the farmer.

Its only alternative, the “manual milk differential smear” (MMDS), is a difficult and time consuming procedure, subject to great variability, even when performed by highly trained laboratory technologists.

It is impractical for field research or the barn environment as well.

The device suffers from some difficulties in use.

First since the cover slip end opposite the shim is not fixed the end can leak, shift or get caught on other objects during use.

Second since the design involves a shim the entire length of the cover slip there is no easy way to place the liquid in the chamber.

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