Electrochemical Bio-sensor for Rapid Bacterial Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting bacterial pathogens like Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile are slow, require complex laboratory procedures, and often need specialized equipment, making them unsuitable for rapid field or consumer-level detection.
Innovation Solution
A bio-sensor device utilizing electrochemical detection of antigen-antibody reactions within a sample chamber, which includes electrical probes to detect reaction voltage from specific antibodies and antigens, allowing for real-time detection without the need for gene or molecular amplification, isolation, or labeling, and can be configured for direct and rapid field application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional laboratory methods are used for detecting bacterial pathogens, then detection accuracy is maintained, but detection time is prolonged and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical laboratory procedures with electrochemical detection. Electrical probes directly measure electrochemical signals from antigen-antibody reactions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical separation, incubation, and amplification steps while achieving rapid detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and detects only the essential electrochemical signal from the antigen-antibody reaction. By focusing solely on the electrochemical signal generation and detection, the system eliminates unnecessary laboratory steps while maintaining detection accuracy
2Ease of operation
If traditional detection methods are used, then detection specificity is maintained, but the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample chamber, electrical probes, and data processing capabilities into a single integrated device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment and reduces the skill level required for operation, enabling field deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained with automatic signal processing and data interpretation. The electronic data module automatically detects and processes electrical signals, eliminating the need for highly trained personnel to interpret complex laboratory results
3Productivity
If molecular amplification and isolation steps are included, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent skips the time-consuming molecular amplification and isolation steps by directly detecting electrochemical signals from the antigen-antibody reaction. This approach rushes through the detection process by measuring the reaction as it occurs rather than requiring sequential processing steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, specific, and sensitive detection of bacterial pathogens in various samples, including swabs and surface washings, without the need for external equipment or highly trained personnel, facilitating early diagnosis and de-contamination confirmation.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical probes detect a reaction voltage created by an antigen-antibody reaction which occurs when the pathogenic antigens come into contact with an antibody specific for pathogenic antigens present in an appropriate medium in the sample chamber in contact with the signal detecting probes
Data Source
AI summary
A bio-sensor device for the electrochemical detection of a bacterial pathogen, the device including a sample chamber and an electronic data module. The sample chamber includes passive sensing probes to detect pathogenic antigens in a sample containing the bacterial pathogen. The probes detect a reaction voltage corresponding to an antigen-antibody reaction occurring when the pathogenic antigens come into contact with an antibody specific for pathogenic antigens present in in the contents of the sample chamber and contacted by the electrical probes. The electronic data module detects and processes electrical signals detected by the conductive electrical probes corresponding to an amount of the antigen present in the sample, wherein the reaction voltage is detected at the time of the reaction.