Fluidized bed detector for continuous, ultra-sensitive detection of biological and chemical materials

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to a fluidized bed detector for continuous detection of biological and chemical materials comprising a fluidized bed of detecting elements suspended in a continuous flow system wherein the detecting elements remain in the system when a first force trying to move the detecting elements to the bottom of the system is balanced with a second opposing force of a flowing gas or liquid trying to move detecting elements to the top of the system and wherein the presence of a target molecule in the flowing gas or liquid disrupts the balance of the first and second forces causing the detecting element to exit the system. The release of the detecting element indicates the presence of the target molecule and may be captured, concentrated, or both for further evaluation by other assays or other means. Also disclosed is the related method of detecting biological and chemical materials using a fluidized bed detector.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A fluidized bed detector for continuous detection of biological and chemical materials, comprising a fluidized bed of detecting elements suspended in a continuous flow system,
 wherein the detecting elements remain in the system when a first force trying to move the detecting elements to the bottom of the system is balanced with a second opposing force of a flowing gas or liquid trying to move detecting elements to the top of the system,   wherein the presence of a target molecule in the flowing gas or liquid disrupts the balance of the first and second forces causing the detecting element to exit the system wherein the release of the detecting element indicates the presence of the target molecule.   
     
     
         2 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting element is a living cell and the balance of the first and second forces is disrupted by the killing of the cell. 
     
     
         3 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the balance of the first and second forces is disrupted by the binding together of the target molecule with the detecting element and thereby changing the density or face area of the resulting complex. 
     
     
         4 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the balance of the first and second forces is disrupted by the cross-linking of detecting elements or the breaking apart of previously cross-linked detecting elements. 
     
     
         5 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the first force is magnetic, electrical, acceleration, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the system is a continuous centrifuge and the first force is a centrifugal force. 
     
     
         7 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting elements are inert particles or living cells. 
     
     
         8 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting elements are polymer beads, glass beads, or a combination thereof, wherein the surface of the beads have antibodies, nucleic acids, complexes, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting elements are cells that release materials when a target material triggers a biochemical process. 
     
     
         10 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein it is unnecessary to separate particles not of interest from the flowing fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the release of the detecting element is detected by some means. 
     
     
         12 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting element is detected by absorption, fluorescence, colorimetric assay, change in magnetic signature, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The fluidized bed detector of  claim 1 , wherein the released detecting element may be captured, concentrated, or both for further evaluation. 
     
     
         14 . A method for detecting biological and chemical materials, comprising:
 suspending a fluidized bed of detecting elements in a continuous flow system,   maintaining the detecting elements in the system by balancing a first force trying to move the detecting elements to the bottom of the system with an opposing second force of a flowing gas or liquid trying to move detecting elements to the top of the system; and   detecting the presence of a target molecule in the flowing gas or liquid wherein the presence of the target molecule disrupts the balance of the first and second forces causing the detecting element to exit the system wherein the release of the detecting element indicates the presence of the target molecule;   wherein the detecting element is a living cell and the balance of the first and second forces is disrupted by the killing of the cell.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the detecting elements are cells that release materials when a target material triggers a biochemical process. 
     
     
         16 . A method for detecting biological and chemical materials, comprising:
 suspending a fluidized bed of detecting elements in a continuous flow system,   maintaining the detecting elements in the system by balancing a first force trying to move the detecting elements to the bottom of the system with an opposing second force of a flowing gas or liquid trying to move detecting elements to the top of the system; and   detecting the presence of a target molecule in the flowing gas or liquid wherein the presence of the target molecule disrupts the balance of the first and second forces causing the detecting element to exit the system wherein the release of the detecting element indicates the presence of the target molecule;   wherein the system is a centrifuge and the first force is a centrifugal force.