Modular mobile field-deployable laboratory for rapid, on-site detection and analysis of biological targets

Abstract

A mobile field-deployable laboratory to more conveniently enable the detecting, sequencing and analyzing of biological agents at the point-of-need. This device enables field operators to go from sample to actionable information in the field without the need for an internet connection or grid-based power. The present mobile laboratory is configured in a footlocker configuration including a plurality of different compartments specifically configured for holding all of the necessary equipment for use in a wide variety of different applications including successfully extracting, amplifying, sequencing and characterizing specific viruses, pathogens and other bacteria directly in the field including an integrated power supply for providing power to the relevant components for up to 72 hours of continuous use without the need for any external power source. The present mobile laboratory includes a deployable workbench area which provides a stable workstation when the footlocker configuration is deployed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile field-deployable laboratory for detecting and analyzing biological targets comprising:
 a first member having a cavity formed therewithin;   a workbench member having at least a portion thereof positioned and located within the cavity of said first member so as to divide the cavity of said first member into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, at least a portion of said workbench member being movable between a first position wherein said workbench member extends perpendicular to said first and second cavity portions and a second position wherein at least a portion of said workbench member lies adjacent to one of said first and second cavity portions;   a second member hingedly attached to said first member, said second member being movable between a first position wherein said second member overlays the first member and closes access to said first member and a second position wherein said second member provides access to said first member, said second member having at least one cavity formed therewithin;   at least one leg member for supporting the workbench member in a position perpendicular to said first and second cavity portions of said first member; and   wherein at least one of said first and second cavity portions of said first member, or the cavity of the second member, includes a battery integrated into said at least one of said first and second cavity portions, said battery being electrically connected to at least one power outlet positioned on the workbench member or within at least one of first and second cavity portions.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 1  including at least one compartment associated with said first member configured to house a cooling system electrically connected to said battery. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 2  wherein the cooling system includes a phase-change cooling system capable of holding a predetermined selected temperature constant for a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 1  further including a computer system for analyzing biological target agents, said computer system being electrically connected to said battery. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 4  wherein said computer system includes a monitor structure attachable to said first member, said monitor structure being electrically connected to said battery. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 5  wherein the computer system includes at least one computer system component, which computer system component being housed within the monitor structure. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 6  wherein the monitor structure includes a computer display screen, a modem, a Next Unit of Computing (“NUC”) system, and the power supply for the NUC system. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 1  further including a Polymerase Chain Reaction (“PCR”) system. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 1  further including a DNA sequencing system. 
     
     
         10 . A mobile field-deployable laboratory for detecting and analyzing biological targets comprising:
 a first member having a cavity formed therewithin;   a workbench member having at least a portion thereof positioned and located within the cavity of said first member so as to divide the cavity of said first member into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, at least a portion of said workbench member being movable between a first position wherein said workbench member extends perpendicular to said first and second cavity portions and a second position wherein at least a portion of said workbench member lies adjacent to one of said first and second cavity portions;   a second member hingedly attached to said first member, said second member being movable between a first position wherein said second member overlays the first member and closes access to said first member and a second position wherein said second member provides access to said first member, said second member having at least one cavity formed therewithin;   at least one leg member for supporting the workbench member in a position perpendicular to said first and second cavity portions of said first member; and   at least one CPU unit integrated into at least one of the first and second cavity portions of said first member, or into the cavity of the second member, the CPU being electrically connected to a power source.   
     
     
         11 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 10  wherein said at least one leg member is attachable to said workbench member. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 10  including at least one power outlet associated with said first member, said power supply being electrically connected to said at least one power outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 12  wherein said at least one power outlet includes a plurality of power outlets. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 12  including a power strip associated with said first member, said power strip including a plurality of said power outlets. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile field-deployable laboratory of  claim 10  wherein a computer system for analyzing biological target agents contains the CPU unit, said computer system including a computer monitor structure attachable to said first member, said computer monitor structure including a computer display screen and a modem.