Immunomagnetic Particles for Rapid Pathogen Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting blood-borne pathogens, such as bacteria, are time-consuming and often require enrichment steps that can compromise test sensitivity and delay diagnosis, leading to potential sepsis and septic shock.
Innovation Solution
Compositions of magnetic particles conjugated to antibodies specific for pathogens are introduced into a biological sample, allowing for rapid binding and isolation of pathogens using a magnetic field, enabling early and accurate detection without the need for enrichment steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pathogen detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and requires enrichment steps that delay diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-conjugating antibodies to magnetic particles before sample introduction. This pre-prepared immunomagnetic composition is ready to immediately bind and capture pathogens upon contact with the sample, eliminating the need for time-consuming enrichment steps and enabling direct detection of low-concentration pathogens without delaying diagnosis
2Measurement precision
If enrichment steps are performed to concentrate pathogens, then detection sensitivity may be improved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single immunomagnetic composition: antibody-specific binding, magnetic capture, and pathogen concentration occur simultaneously in one step. This integrated approach combines the enrichment function with detection preparation, eliminating separate enrichment steps and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining high detection sensitivity
3Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used, then pathogens can be detected, but low concentrations of bacteria (as low as 1 CFU/ml) cannot be reliably isolated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic particles as an intermediary carrier that binds to pathogens via antibody-specific recognition. This intermediary mechanism allows for the efficient capture and concentration of even single-pathogen events (1 CFU/ml), enabling reliable detection at extremely low concentrations by mediating between the antibody and the target pathogen
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
This method allows for the rapid detection of pathogens at very low concentrations, facilitating timely patient treatment decisions and reducing the risk of sepsis by isolating bacteria and fungi directly from blood samples at concentrations as low as 1 CFU/ml.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field is applied to capture pathogen/magnetic particle complexes on a surface
Implementation Method 2
members of each set being conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen
Implementation Method 3
the surface can be washed with a wash solution that reduces particle aggregation, thereby isolating pathogen/magnetic particle complexes
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions that include sets of magnetic particles, where the members of each set of particles are conjugated to an antibody specific for a pathogen, are provided.