Portable Instrument Detects Pathogens in Field and Clinic

A handheld instrument is small enough–about the size of a syringe–to be carried easily by a medical provider and used with a minimal amount of training and time. The device uses a technology that provides key steps in accurate biological sample preparation and detection of pathogens in areas with limited resources, in the field, or clinical environment. The system is powered entirely on batteries.

The device comprises a very low power optical analysis system directly coupled to the collection system. Optical analysis is performed on multiple collected analytes. The purification device includes numerous capture surfaces coated with specific capture chemistries. The specific capture can be for a nucleic acid, protein, or other target analyte, and multiple options for optical detection exist.

PositiveID Corp's (Delray Beach, FL, USA) fully owned subsidiary MicroFluidic Systems (MFS; Fremont, CA, USA) was awarded an international patent by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for the portable device and method of extracting and analyzing an analyte from a fluid based sample.

Dr. M. Allen Northrup, CEO of MFS, said, "We believe this technology has significant value for multiple applications of critical importance to prevent disease outbreaks and save lives."

MFS specializes in the production of automated instruments for a wide range of applications in the detection and processing of biological samples. MFS' portfolio of intellectual property related to sample preparation and rapid medical testing applications are complementary to PositiveID's portfolio of virus detection and diabetes management products.

Related Links:
PositiveID Corp.
MicroFluidic Systems
World Intellectual Property Organization