Method and Apparatus for Isolating and Detecting Biological and Other Particles

Abstract

An apparatus and method for isolating bacterial particles in a sample using a container with material in temporary fluid blocking position to lower orifice in the container, a separation medium having an electrical conductivity lower than and physical density greater than that of the sample above the material that supports a sample concentrate after passing through the separation medium when exposed to centrifugal force, a heating element for liquefying the material to permit flow into a chamber past an electrode array that attracts and holds subject particles. The system allows rapid detection and isolation of particles from samples from animal, human, environmental sites, a bio-industrial reactor or a food or beverage production facility requiring relatively small volumes, short incubation times resulting in structurally intact particles for further analysis. Testing may be completed in a single unit that requires decreased technician manipulation, fewer steps and a decrease in cross-contamination.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for collection and separation of microorganisms, cells, and biological particles in a sandwiched configuration comprising:
 a. a non-conductive base layer;   b. a second non-conductive layer disposed on the base layer where the second layer has a void;   c. a primary array of electrodes positioned between the layers where the void provides a fluid flow path in which biological particles are capable of flowing past the arrays; and   d. a ground plane electrically connected to the primary array.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the electrodes are interdigitated. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the electrodes are disposed in fluid communication with the void. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the electrodes are coated with biological or chemical materials to promote or discourage adhesion or biological particles, microorganisms, or cells. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the electrodes are configured in a parallel, sawtooth, staggered, semi-circular, or castellated formation. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the interdigitated electrodes have spacing, width, height, and angle relative to the direction of fluid flow that are varied along either the length, width, or height of the void. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  further comprising a secondary array of electrodes facing the primary array of electrodes. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the electrodes have a cross sectional shapes from a list comprising a rectangle, circle, triangle, polygon, or semi-circle. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the secondary array is at least 2 dimensional and is positioned on the top layer in a configuration chosen from the following orientation: opposite or perpendicular to the primary array. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the ground plane is positioned below the base layer. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the ground plane encloses the base layer, second layer and primary array. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for collection and separation of microorganisms, cells, and biological particles in a sandwiched configuration comprising:
 a. a non-conductive base layer;   b. a primary array of electrodes positioned on the layer to provide a fluid flow path in which biological particles are capable of flowing past the arrays; and   c. a ground plane electrically connected to the primary array positioned below the array.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 32  further comprising a second non-conductive layer disposed on the base layer where the second layer has a void that exposes a portion of the primary array. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the void is laser etched, die-cut, machined, molded, or embossed into the second layer. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the ground plane is positioned below the base layer. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 33  wherein the ground plane is positioned on top of the second layer. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the ground plane encloses the base layer and the primary array. 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus for collection and separation of microorganisms, cells, and biological particles in a sandwiched configuration comprising:
 a. a base layer;   b. a primary array of interdigitated electrodes positioned on the layer;   c. a second layer disposed on the base layer creating a sandwich for the primary array where the second layer has a void to provide a fluid flow path; and   d. a secondary array of electrodes positioned on the second layer facing the primary array of electrodes where the void provides a fluid flow path in which biological particles are capable of flowing past the arrays.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  further comprising a ground plane in electrical contact with one of the arrays and positioned beneath the base layer. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the fluid flows past the arrays under pressure.