pTD | Bruker Detection Corporation | WMD Detector Selector

General Description
The portable Toxin Detector (pTD) allows the rapid, specific and sensitive identification of toxins, which are relevant as biological warfare agents. Application of the ready-to-use pTD Toxin Test Kit BWA I allows the parallel detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT/A, BoNT/B, BoNT/E), staphylococcal enterotoxin B and ricin within less than 25 min in an automated process. A decontamination procedure is integrated in the assay ensuring secure operation of pTD. The system is intended for the on-site analysis of toxins in mobile labs and on-board vehicles. pTD Control is the control and analysis software of the pTD system. The user monitors and controls the startup and shut down of the device as well as the selection and the progress of methods via pTD Control. The results of each analysis are displayed automatically in pTD Control using a traffic light-based color code. Red traffic light is shown together with the warning note that a target was found after identification of a toxin. Data evaluation is realized automatically. Integrated positive and negative control electrodes allow normalization of target electrode signals. This ensures reproducibility of electrochemical toxin detection within different chip batches. The pTD is a platform technology and extendable to address new threats. In addition to toxin detection, first promising results for detection of bacteria and viruses via PCR and nucleic acid hybridization were obtained. Integration of a PCR chamber in pTD will allow nucleic acid amplification and detection of several BWA related microorganisms in parallel.

Technical Description
The detection principle is based on an ELISA procedure. Capture antibodies immobilized on gold electrodes facilitate the specific binding of corresponding toxins. Detection of bound toxins is realized by application of a detector-antibody-enzyme conjugate and measurement of the electrical current of an enzymatic redox reaction. The detection event is strongly amplified in this system and allows sensitive toxin identification (low ng/mL-range) in less than 25 minutes. First, the high turnover of enzymatic reaction contributes to the signal amplification and second, a redox recycling procedure built into the experimental procedure, provides a second signal amplification.

Evaluation Criteria

THROUGHPUT:

Between 15 and 30 minutes for detection
1 sample, <10 tests/sample per run
Less than 32 samples every 2 hours
The system or device is currently fully automated
Device or system is intended for multiple detection assays
0-1 solutions, buffer, eluents, and/or reagents
0 components
No set-up of the system is required for set-up
1-2 steps are required for detection

LOGISTICS:

Very brief (minutes-hours) training and minimal technical skills
Approximately the size of a carry-on luggage suitcase
Between 5 and 25 kg
Wired connections are available
System or device has 110V electrical requirement

OPERATIONS:

Can be used from 4°C to 37°C
Components must be stored at 4°C
Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
Between 6 months and 1 year shelf life
Results can be viewed in real-time
The system is not capable of autonomy
The system software is closed and not available for modification
The system hardware is closed and not available for modification

DETECTION:

Less than 10 µL
Excellent specificity. System has occasional false alarms under certain conditions (<2%)
Less than 1 ng per mL
Manual kit not integrated with the system handles spore lysis

Tier Selection