METHODS FOR DETECTING PARASITES, VIRUSES, BACTERIA AND DRUGS IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL BLOOD AND CEREBRAL SPINAL FLUID, USING LASER-INDUCED BREAKDOWN SPECTROSCOPY

摘要

The present invention relates to methods of detecting parasites, viruses, bacteria and drugs in human and animal blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), using laser- induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The method includes developing and using algorithmic detection models for detecting compounds, bacteria, viruses and parasites in blood or CSF. The models are developed from a sample of blood or fluid, knowingly having one or more of the compounds or bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Spectra are generated by a LIBS instrument from the sample, and are grouped into either classification spectra or verification spectra. Algorithmic models are developed from the classification spectra; these models are verified with the verification spectra. A second sample of different blood or CSF may then be assessed using the algorithmic models. Spectra generated from this second sample are applied to the models to determine the presence or absence of compounds or bacteria, viruses and parasites of interest.