SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RAPID MICROBIAL DETECTION AND ANALYSIS
A method and system for rapid microbial detection and analysis comprising a sampling device, a swab with a swab head connected to a swab handle having analysis fluid therein, a collection chamber, and a detection and analysis device
1 . A system for rapid microbial detection and analysis comprising:
a sampling device,
a swab having a swab head connected to a swab handle having analysis fluid therein for insertion in the sampling device,
a collection chamber, and
a detection and analysis device,
wherein the sampling device is in fluid communication with the collection chamber and the detection and analysis device.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the sampling device comprises a housing and an ejection mechanism attached to or connected to the housing.
3 . The system according to claim 2 , further comprising a counter mechanism housed within the housing, a sampling device gear housed within the housing, and a physical barrier surrounding the housing and movable in a vertical direction of the sampling device.
4 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the physical barrier is in a form of a ring.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the swab is disposable.
6 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein the swab is insertable within the housing.
7 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein the swab is ejectable from the housing by the ejection mechanism.
8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a connector connects the swab handle to the swab head.
9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the connector is internal to the swab handle.
10 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein the connector is a one way-valve, a polymer seal, or an alternate sealant that connects the swab handle to the swab head.
11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the swab handle is hollow.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the swab handle contains an analysis fluid.
13 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the swab handle comprises a first gear near a first end of the swab handle and a second gear near the second end of the swab handle.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein the sampling device gear rotates when engaged with the first gear of the swab handle to tabulate a target area being sampled.
15 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the sampling device gear is calibrated with each rotation corresponding to a known area traveled.
16 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the sampling device gear is engaged upon engagement by the swab head with the sampling device.
17 . The system according to claim 16 , wherein the engagement of the swab head with the sampling device is by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a Leur lock connection, a snap on connection, a roller ball in socket type of joint, a sleeve fit, and a combination thereof.
18 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification mechanism selected from the group consisting of an electronic signal resulting in a light or sound, a physical mechanism, and a combination thereof.
19 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the counter mechanism engages with an accentuator behind the physical barrier and that holds the physical barrier in place.
20 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the physical barrier is engaged with the sampling device by elastomer compression, a compression spring, a helical escapement mechanism via a coiled incline plane, and a combination thereof.
21 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the swab head comprises a fiber selected from the group consisting of a thermopolymeric fiber, a biopolymer based fiber, and a combination thereof.
22 . The system according to claim 21 , wherein the biopolymer based fiber is selected from the group consisting of poly-N-acetyl glucosamine, a polysaccharide based fiber, a cellulose based polysaccharide fiber, a protein fiber, a nucleic acid based fiber, and a combination thereof.
23 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein magnetic beads are located within the analysis fluid.
24 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the swab head is comprised of a material with a pore size on an order of sub-micrometers.
25 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber has at least one collection area or port.
26 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber is part of a cap.
27 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber comprises a microfluidic device.
28 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber is optically clear.
29 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber has a coating applied thereon.
30 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the collection chamber is insertable into the detection and analysis device.
31 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a field selected from the group consisting of a magnetic field, an electrical field, an electronic field, and a combination thereof.
32 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises an analysis port.
33 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device is hand held.
34 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a mechanism for imaging a sample.
35 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises or has access to a pixel-counting algorithm.
36 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a sensor.
37 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a reader chamber for determining viable bacteria.
38 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a visual indicator of bacteria or lack thereof.
39 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection and analysis device comprises a colorimetric indication, magnetic levitation, or both.
40 . A method for rapid microbial detection and analysis comprising:
sampling bacteria from a surface with a sampling device having an inserted swab with a swab head connected to a swab handle having an analysis fluid therein, wherein the swab head is in contact with the surface having bacteria thereon;
introducing the analysis fluid from the swab handle of the sampling device to the swab head;
removing bacteria from swab head with the analysis fluid;
collecting the analysis fluid and bacteria in a collection chamber; and
inserting the collection chamber with analysis fluid and bacteria in the detection and analysis device, wherein the detection and analysis device has a magnetic field, electrical field, or electronic field, and a reader chamber for determining viable bacteria.