Resonance energy transfer based detection of nosocomial infection
US8180421B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2201/0221
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for detection of hospital acquired infections. Disclosed methods may be utilized for continuous in vivo monitoring of a potential infection site or for periodic in vitro monitoring of tissue or fluid from a patient and may be utilized to alert patients and/or health care providers to the presence of a pathogen at an early stage of infection. Disclosed methods utilize fluorophore pairs that optically interact with one another according to Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) or bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) mechanism. One member of the pair or a cofactor that interacts with an enzyme to form a member of the pair may be tethered to a device by a substrate that is specific for an enzyme expressed by a targeted pathogen. Upon interaction of the enzyme with the substrate, an optically detectable signal may be altered or initiated, detection of which may then provide information as to the existence of the pathogen at the site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.