Apparatus and method for lysing bacterial spores to facilitate their identification
US5989824A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2001/2223
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Bacteria cells and/or spores are collected and concentrated to form a specimen that is lysed using an ionized fluid to facilitate identification of the bacterial cells or spores by tests performed on the DNA and RNA contained therein. An impact collector is preferably used for separating the spores and cells from an air sample that is drawn through an input port of a portable housing. The resulting specimen is then exposed to an ionizing discharge that ruptures the surface membrane of the bacterial cells or spores. The ionizing discharge can be produced by a Tesla coil or other potential transformer that is electrically energized to produce an ionization potential, which is applied to an electrode, or to produce a corona glow discharge spread over a relatively larger surface of a plate-type electrode. Alternatively, air or another gaseous fluid in proximity to the electrode may be ionized by the ionizing potential or discharge from the electrode, forming an ionized fluid that is applied to the specimen. The surface membranes of the cells and/or spores are ruptured or cleaved by the ionizing discharge, exposing the nuclear DNA and RNA material contained therein. The lysed bacterial …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.