Handheld Sensor for Anthrax and Ricin

A handheld sensor that can detect anthrax, ricin, and other potential bioterrorism pathogens is designed for use by first responders, hospital triage personnel, and military personnel.

The handheld system requires minimal technical expertise for operation, and users can be trained in under an hour to detect and identify multiple agents. Tests can be performed in 10 minutes or less, and the self-contained cartridges may be stored to preserve a lasting record of analyses performed. The rechargeable battery-powered instrument is designed for use by users in full protective gear. The sensor is being developed by QTL Biosystems, LLC (Santa Fe, NM, USA), in conjunction with U.S. Army and public health organizations that will certify its capabilities.

"QTL has developed an instrument that combines excellent sensitivity with ease of use,” noted Dr. Alan Heeger, a member of QTL's Scientific Advisory Board and 2000 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry.

"Evaluation units will be available in August 2004, and the company plans to ship initial production systems in Q4, 2004,” said Dr. Duncan McBranch, chief operating officer of QTL Biosystems. QTL plans to deliver initial units with cartridges for anthrax and ricin, with Staphylococcal enterotoxin B to follow in early 2005. Additional cartridges will follow to provide a full complement of bacteria, protein toxins, and virus tests.

QTL Biosystems develops and markets bioassays designed to provide superior sensitivity, specificity, and speed in simple-to-use formats with low total cost of detection, toxins, bacteria, proteins, hormones, nucleic acids, and other biologic compounds.






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