General Description
The Bruker pBDi is a portable detection platform for rapid and sensitive on-site identification of biothreat agents. Developed for use by non-scientific personnel, the pBDi is easily operated, even while working in protective equipment under extreme conditions. Fully portable and operating from internal batteries, pBDi can be used in the hot zone. Equally, pBDi can be integrated with various mobile platform solutions, where it can be powered from an external supply. The pBDi employs a sensitive electrochemical biochip technology for multiplex ELISA based (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) detection of biothreat agents. The pBDi builds on the technology of the Bruker portable Toxin Detector and offers new features such as integration with a mobile suitcase, battery operation, Bluetooth connection to a ruggedized tablet PC and assays for bacteria, viruses and toxins identification. The system allows biothreat agent detection by first responders after minimal training due to application of ready-to-use kits and a simple workflow. Beside two assay panels for detection of ten proteotoxins, an assay panel for detection of six pathogens is available allowing sensitive biothreat agents detection with a rapid and analysis time of 20 minutes. Additionally, customized assays are also available. Due to high robustness of electrochemical biochip technology towards various interferents only minimal sample preparation is required for a wide range of different sample matrices (liquids, solids, powders, culture, swabs).
Technical Description
The Bruker pBDi employs a sensitive electrochemical biochip technology for multiplex ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) based detection of biothreat agents. Capture antibodies immobilized on gold electrodes facilitate the specific binding of corresponding biothreat agents. Detection of bound biothreat agents is realized by application of a detector-antibody-enzyme conjugate and measurement of the electrical current of an enzymatic redox reaction on interdigitated gold array electrodes. The detection event is strongly amplified in this system and allows very sensitive biothreat agent identification in approx. 20 minutes. First, the high turnover of enzymatic reaction contributes to the signal amplification and second, an efficient redox cycling procedure due to ultramicroelectrode structure 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 hour
- 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
- 1 component
- Less than 5 minutes 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
- Wireless and wired connections are available
- System or device uses batteries
- 4-8 Hours battery life
OPERATIONS:
- Can be used from 4°C to 41°C
- Components must be stored at 4°C
- Performance is not influenced by relative humidity
- Between 1 to 3 years shelf life
- 5-10 years expected life
- Results can be viewed in real-time
- The system could be adapted to a fully autonomous system with some effort
- The system software is closed and not available for modification
- The system hardware is closed and not available for modification
DETECTION:
- Possible the system could receive 510K clearance
- Less than 10 µl
- Excellent specificity. System has occasional false alarms
- mg/m3
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