Client: Gradientech

Our Role:

• Use our microfluidic expertise to create an in vitro diagnostic cartridge for rapid susceptibility testing of positive blood culture samples to antibiotics.
• Perform design, prototype, prototype injection molding and assembly process development.

Unique Features and Accomplishments:

• Complex multichannel microfluidics, flow balancing, sample and reagent delivery, on-cartridge valving, optical compatibility for imaging.
• Enables same day results and antibiotic treatment guidance for sepsis patients.
• Generates minimum inhibitor concentration values as soon as 2 hours. Panels for gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria for rapid AST resulting.
• Susceptibility results are based on viable bacterial growth monitoring.
• Detects functional resistance; results not based on specific probes or image database comparison.
• A minimum of 22 hours faster than traditional culture-based methods.

Expertise Employed:

While all projects benefit from our development process and expertise in design, engineering, and in-house rapid prototyping, this project highlights our expertise in:

• Microfluidics and Fluid Dynamics
• Mechanical Design and Engineering
• Materials Selection
• Assembly Method Design

Patent Pending