PORTABLE, LOW POWER INSTRUMENT FOR THE OPTOELECTRONIC DETECTION OF PATHOGENS USING ISOTHERMAL NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION PROTOCOLS

摘要

This invention relates to a portable, low power apparatus and method for detecting a pathogen of interest in a biological sample obtained from a patient. The apparatus includes a heated pathogen isothermal amplification and diagnostic cell for conducting a loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique. The heated pathogen isothermal amplification and diagnostic cell can include one or more chambers having a corresponding low power heating element connected thereto for heating a reaction mixture contained in the chamber to a desired temperature. Further, the apparatus can include an ultraviolet excitation source, an optical output filter, a photon sensing detector, and an electrical signal detection and amplification circuit to transmit and display output to a wireless device.