Devices, systems and methods to detect viable infectious agents in a fluid sample and susceptibility of infectious agents to anti-infectives
Inventors
KNOPFMACHER, Oren S. • Herget, Meike • Laufer, Michael D. • Estabrook, August
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11913058-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various devices, systems and methods for detecting infectious agents or determining a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. One example method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a surface; exposing the surface to a solution; sampling the solution after exposing the solution to the surface; and detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of a sensing device exposed to the solution sampled corresponding to a presence of the infectious agent in the fluid sample.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of assessing a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective by introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface. The infectious agent is exposed on the first surface to a first solution and on the second surface to a second solution, wherein at least one of the second surface and the second solution comprises an anti-infective. Electrical characteristics are then monitored from a first sensing device exposed to the first solution and a second sensing device exposed to the second solution.
The method compares a first electrical characteristic with a second electrical characteristic, and any differences between the electrical characteristics, or lack thereof, are used to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective. The disclosed sensing implementations include electrochemical cells with reference electrodes and configurations where electrical measurements are monitored after exposure of sensor layers to the respective solutions.
A corresponding system includes a fluid delivery device for introducing the fluid sample to the first and second surfaces and introducing the first and second solutions to the respective surfaces that comprise the infectious agent. The system further includes a first sensing device and a second sensing device configured to be exposed to the first and second solutions and a parameter analyzer that compares electrical characteristics to assess susceptibility.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims, a method claim and a system claim. Each claim centers on assessing susceptibility by monitoring and comparing electrical characteristics from two sensing devices exposed to different solution conditions, including an anti-infective condition.
Two-surface exposure with anti-infective condition
introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface comprising the infectious agent to a first solution; exposing the second surface comprising the infectious agent to a second solution, wherein at least one of the second surface and the second solution comprises an anti-infective
Dual sensing and electrical-characteristic comparison for susceptibility
monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensing device exposed to the first solution; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensing device exposed to the second solution; comparing the first electrical characteristic with the second electrical characteristic, wherein any differences between the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, or lack thereof, is used to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective
Fluid delivery to parallel surfaces and solution introduction
a fluid delivery device configured to introduce a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; introducing a first solution to the first surface comprising the infectious agent; introducing a second solution to the second surface comprising the infectious agent, wherein at least one of the second surface and the second solution comprises an anti-infective
Parameter analyzer comparison of electrical characteristics
a parameter analyzer configured to compare a first electrical characteristic of the first sensing device with a second electrical characteristic of the second sensing device, wherein any differences between the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, or lack thereof, is used to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective
Across both independent claims, susceptibility assessment is achieved by exposing infectious agent-containing first and second surfaces to first and second solutions, with an anti-infective in the second condition, monitoring electrical characteristics from corresponding sensing devices, and comparing those characteristics or absence of differences to assess susceptibility.
Stated Advantages
Separating infectious agents from sensing electronics.
Avoiding optical bulky readouts.
Reducing need for lengthy culturing.
Documented Applications
Assessing susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective using in vitro detection from a fluid sample with electrical sensing comparisons between conditions without and with anti-infective.
Detection of viable infectious agents from a fluid sample and determination of infectious-agent susceptibility to anti-infectives using sensing devices monitoring electrical characteristics after exposure to first and second solutions.
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