Pocket detection pouch
Inventors
Betts, Kelley D. • Sekowski, Jennifer W.
Assignees
Leidos Inc • United States Department of the Army • Government of the United States of America
Publication Number
US-11684921-B1
Publication Date
2023-06-27
Expiration Date
2040-08-07
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Abstract
The pocket detection platform (PDP) detects pathogens, toxins and chemicals of interest simultaneously by way of a multi-channeled, soft see-through plastic pouch design that consists of inner and outer compartments that promote compartmentalization and/or unidirectional sample flow. The platform enables the concurrent running of multiple detection assay techniques such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFI), Isothermal molecular assays (i.e., Recombinase Polymerase Amplification, or RPA) and/or paper-based chemical assays (i.e., M8, pH paper) from a single wet or dry sample with minimal sample processing. The PDP reduces soldier overburden by decreasing size weight, and power (SWaP) as well as training time, electronic burden, while providing a flexible, customizable assay platform that can be rapidly produced, assembled, sustained, and when contaminated, easily to dispose of.
Core Innovation
The invention is a pocket-sized detection platform (PDP) that detects pathogens, toxins, chemicals, and other agents of interest simultaneously using a multi-channeled, soft, see-through plastic pouch design. The device includes inner and outer compartments promoting compartmentalization and unidirectional sample flow, allowing concurrent use of multiple detection assays such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFI), isothermal molecular assays (like Recombinase Polymerase Amplification, RPA), and paper-based chemical assays (such as M8 or pH paper) from a single sample with minimal processing.
The problem addressed is the need for a power-free, field-forward, minimal size, weight, and power (SWaP) platform for rapid and accurate detection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats in austere environments. Existing methods often require bulky equipment, power, cold chains, or specialized software, making them impractical for front-line use. The invention provides a self-contained, inexpensive, customizable assay form factor about the size of a credit card that can deliver eye-readable yes/no answers rapidly and simultaneously for multiple threats without requiring external power or specialized equipment.
The PDP supports multiple assay types, including antigen-specific LFI assays providing results within 10 minutes and orthogonal isothermal DNA amplification assays (e.g., RPA) giving results in 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on temperature. The platform reduces soldier burden by decreasing size, weight, power, training time, electronic burden, and cost while enabling easy disposal when contaminated. It preserves the sample for later confirmatory laboratory testing and can be rapidly produced and sustained using inexpensive materials such as LDPE, polypropylene, or poly nylon plastics.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains one primary independent claim defining a pocket-sized detection device with multiple compartments and related features. The innovative features focus on the structure, fluid handling, and integration of multiple detectors.
Multi-compartment fluidically connected pocket-sized detection device
The device comprises a first sample compartment with a sealing component for sample reception; a second compartment fluidically connected containing multiple individual channels; and a third compartment including a reservoir for loading individual detectors and receiving the fluid sample from the second compartment, with sealing components ensuring retention of the fluid sample.
Multiple individual channels with micropores for controlled fluid transfer
The second compartment's multiple individual channels include micropores at their ends to facilitate transfer of the fluid sample to the third compartment, enabling compartmentalization and unidirectional sample flow to multiple detectors.
Integration of assay detectors in a sealed, multi-chamber pouch system
Individual assay detectors, such as assay strips and paper-based chemical detectors, are loaded into individual channels through the reservoir compartment, with sealing mechanisms to contain and isolate each assay within the fully enclosed system.
Use of specific plastic materials and pouch construction for device formation
The device is constructed from materials selected from polyethylene low density (LDPE) plastic, polypropylene film, or poly nylon plastic, including an outer bag of polypropylene around 6 mil thickness and an inner bag of polyurethane between 2 to 4 mil thickness, producing a lightweight (less than 1 ounce) handheld device.
The claimed invention covers a self-contained, multi-compartment, pocket-sized fluidic device formed of plastics configured to receive a sample, distribute fluid through multiple micropore-equipped channels to segregated assay detectors within sealed compartments, thereby enabling simultaneous detection of multiple analytes in a compact, disposable form.
Stated Advantages
Reduces soldier burden by minimizing size, weight, power (SWaP), electronic burden, and training time.
Provides a flexible, customizable assay platform that can be rapidly produced, assembled, sustained, and easily disposed of when contaminated.
Enables rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple CBRNE agents from a single sample with minimal processing and no need for external power, specialized equipment, or proprietary software.
Preserves samples for later confirmatory laboratory testing within a self-contained system.
Significantly reduces costs of biological detection assays in the field due to use of inexpensive, non-proprietary materials and low sustainment costs.
Documented Applications
Field-forward detection of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) threats in military or first responder scenarios.
Detection of suspicious powders or liquids in the field, swipe scanning of packages, and food safety monitoring.
Use with wide-area environmental surface sampling devices for biological agent sampling from various surfaces including glass, concrete, stone, wood, tile, vegetation, and soil.
Detection of chemicals, pharmaceutical-based agents, bacteria, viruses, toxins, explosives, natural or synthetic narcotics, PBAs including opioids, cannabinoids, tranquilizers, and radiation exposure.
Applications in food safety and quality control, plant pathogen detection, insect vector detection for vector-borne illnesses, and pen-side livestock testing across multiple species.
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