Method and Device for Detecting Bacteria

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a fast, simple, and highly sensitive method and device for detecting specific bacteria in a sample. The method uses specially labeled bacteriophages that selectively bind to the bacteria of interest. If the bacteria are present in the sample, they form detectable complexes with the labeled bacteriophages, which are identified using a filtration system and measured optically (e.g., fluorescence). The process is rapid (less than one hour), does not require culturing, and enables automatic, clear detection results, even for low bacterial concentrations.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections in hospitals and clinics, including detection of antibiotic-resistant strains (e.g., MRSA).
• Screening and monitoring of water supplies for pathogenic bacteria, such as Legionella.
• Food safety testing to quickly identify harmful bacterial contamination in food and beverages.
• Veterinary diagnostics for rapid bacterial infection detection in animals.
• Agricultural testing, such as soil or plant samples, for bacterial pathogens affecting crops.
• Military, disaster response, and field applications that require portable, rapid detection of harmful bacteria.
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnological manufacturing quality control, ensuring bacterial contamination is quickly detected.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly faster detection compared to traditional culturing methods (results in less than one hour).
• Highly sensitive—capable of detecting very low concentrations of bacteria (as low as 10 cells/mL).
• Highly specific due to the use of bacteriophage targeting, with low false positive rates.
• Does not require skilled personnel or complex laboratory infrastructure; suitable for point-of-care and field use.
• Can simultaneously test for multiple bacterial species in a single sample.
• Reduces unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics by enabling early, targeted antibiotic treatment.
• Minimizes risk of sample contamination and handling errors due to simplified workflow and automated signal processing.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a fast, simple, and highly sensitive method for detecting bacteria, comprising the following steps: providing one or more suspensions, each comprising at least one species of labeled test bacteriophages, which specifically bind to a bacterial species to be detected; adding a sample, which should be tested for the presence of at least one bacterial species to be detected, to the one or more suspensions; filtering the reaction mixture; detecting bacterium-bacteriophage complexes on the filter surface in the retentate if at least one bacterial species to be detected is present, wherein the complexes consist of bacteria of the at least one bacterial species to be detected and test bacteriophages of the at least one species of test bacteriophages bound thereto; detecting unbound test bacteriophages in the filtrate; processing obtained detection signals in a processor-aided manner and outputting detection results. The invention further relates to a reaction vessel and to a measuring apparatus for the method.