Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or... – Involving virus or bacteriophage
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2002-09-10
Caputa, Anthony C. (Department: 1642)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or...
Involving virus or bacteriophage
C435S007100, C436S501000, C436S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06447991
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Material and method for use in capturing and uniquely identifying bioaerosols, more particularly bioaerosol receptor doped aerogels.
2. Description of Related Arts
Bioaerosols, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other biological materials generally have particle sizes ranging from 0.01 to as large as 10 &mgr;m and can sometimes be harmful if contacted with animals and/or inhaled. Although some sensors now exist to detect bioaerosols, current technology lacks the capability to provide unique, sensitive, and rapid detection of particular bioaerosols. Due to the extent and speed at which airborne pathogens may be able to spread and infect, a new generation of biological sensors is needed. There, accordingly, remains a need for a biological sensor material that is adapted for use in efficient collection, rapid detection, specific identification, and near real-time reporting of the presence of certain bioaerosols.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The “smart aerogel” of the invention constitutes an aerogel combined with bio-affinity receptors that have unique affinities to specific bioaerosols. Aerogels, sometimes referred to as “solid smoke”, are multifunctional materials with unique properties that the inventors put to use to enable their use as a collection, assay, and identification media. Aerogels have two major properties of interest: a complex pore structure (micro- and meso-pores) with discrete ranges from 2 nm to 100 nm, as well as a macro structure of over 100 nm, and a large internal surface area (~1500 m
2
/g) that can be coated with reactant compounds. These different properties can be independently controlled during synthesis. Aerogel is manufactured into the advanced “smart aerogel” sensor media of the invention by linking reactant bio-affinity compounds to the internal matrix of the aerogel to create “docking” sites. Thereafter, any bioaerosols, including airborne pathogens impinging on the smart aerogel will be in contact with and preferably specifically bond to the receptor and thus selectively attach to the aerogel.
After a particular bioaerosol is captured in the smart aerogel, the smart aerogel can be sprayed with a mist of water or other fluids. This dissolves the smart aerogel and the captured bioaerosol into a small amount of solution that can then be analyzed. A device and means for accomplishing this is disclosed in non-provisional patent application No. 09/199,979, filed Nov. 25, 1998, entitled “Aerogel Environmental Sampler and Concentrator”.
The bioaffinity compounds have a high selectivity and affinity for specified compounds, while the aerogel has a complex pore structure and extremely large internal surface area that renders a highly efficient, lightweight collection media. Combining the bioaffinity compounds with aerogels essentially produces a powerful “sponge” that will only absorb the specified bioaerosol. By providing a number of smart aerogels doped with one or more bio-affinity compounds, an air sample can be checked for a number of suspected bioaerosols.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5360572 (1994-11-01), Hotaling et al.
patent: 5767167 (1998-06-01), Ferry
patent: 5851395 (1998-12-01), Kawase et al.
patent: 6022748 (2000-02-01), Charych et al.
Caruana C.M., Chemical Engineering Progress:11-17, Jun. 1995.
Brenizer, Jr. Jack S.
Daitch Charles E.
DeLucas Lawrence J.
Hosticka Bouvard
Luo Ming
Bernardo Sam
Brumback Brenda G.
Caputa Anthony C.
Wagner John E.
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