Abstract
The invention is a real time pathogen detection system for
detecting deadly pathogens such as anthrax, ebola, botulism, smallpox, among
others. The system can also measure concentrations of the pathogen. The system
is portable - if an external power source is available in the location it is to
be used in, it can fit into a briefcase. Its response time is expected to be in
tens of seconds. Additionally, the device produces no waste to dispose of and
requires no reagents. There are two modes of operation of this device: 1) As a
stand alone physical sensor where the nanotip electrodes are charged with a
bias to produce an electric field to adsorb the unknown species in the media
(air, gas, vapor, liquid) on the tips. After adsorption the species, if large
enough to bridge the gap between the tip and the ground plane, is swept with a
bias and the current is measured and/or at the same time a photonic stimulus is
applied and the response current versus applied bias and the wavelength of the
photonic stimulus is measured. This allows a rapid, wide spectrum “smoke
detectorâ€쳌 type of response identifying the presence of a potential pathogen and
highlighting possible species present. 2) As a loaded DNA or antigen type of
highly specific pathogen sensor. In this mode of operation the nanotip
electrodes of this device are biased to create a small electric field. This
small electric field causes user introduced, pathogen species specific, DNA or
an antigen to bind to the nanotip electrode. Subsequently, the unidentified potential
pathogens enter the sensor chamber and bind to either the antigen or DNA
fragment. The bias voltage on the nanotip electrodes is then swept while the
pathogen is bound to the electrodes. The presence of the pathogen produces a
characteristic change in the current vs. voltage response between the
electrodes. Each pathogen will produce a signature response that is compared to
a database of known and previously recorded responses to identify the pathogen.
The DNA/antigen is selective in the first place, so the current-voltage
response is secondary means for confirming the presence of the pathogen. A
photonic stimulus can also be applied to the captured pathogen; voltage and
current can then be measured as a function of the photonic stimulus wavelength as
an additional means for identifying pathogens. Benefit
Does not require either an antigen or a DNA segment to function as a detector with some degree of specificityReal-time detection of deadly pathogensPortable, fast response in secondsMarket Application
This device could be used in hospitals to detect the presence of pathogensCan be used as a counter-terrorist tool in locations such as ports, airports, subway stations, and other transportation centersCould be used by the military or other government forces in foreign locations due to its portabilityFood and water safety applications may also be possible
