CRYPTO TECT
CRYPTO TECT automates the current industry wide and accepted standard laboratory detection method. At the same time, it incorporates a new and improved means of sampling, concentration, immuno-magnetic separation and optical detection.
In stark contrast to the existing Cryptosporidium detection process, the automated CRYPTO TECT monitor will enable isolation, purification, real-time detection, enumeration of oocysts and output of results every 2 hours. This has been achieved through novel adaptation of standard elements of the current laboratory process.
An advanced, custom-built microscopy optical system captures the fluorescent emissions of stained oocysts in two ways:
- a CCD (charge coupled device) camera digitally examines size, shape and fluorescence intensity
- a second camera detects FITC and chlorophyll signatures (from possible contaminating algae). The opticss are fixed and samples pass through the Bioslide micro channels. Feedback is analysed continuously by recognition software and compared against an algorithm.
CRYPTO TECT Development History
CRYPTO TECT has been developed in conjunction with some of the foremost Cryptosporidium experts in the world including leading UK Water Authorities, approved biotechnology filtration experts and reagent suppliers.
CRYPTO TECT is the result of over three years of R&D investment and leverages a number of established microbiological technologies including:
- Sub-micron concentration system - CRYPTO TECT differs from other oocysts collection methods in that it concentrates the particles in excess of 0.2 microns in the water, maintaining a suspension state rather than capturing the particles on a filter media. This allows us to present a fluid sample directly to the IMS and avoids the problem of recovering particles trapped on filter media.
- Automated IMS capture and release mechanism for the oocysts - the automated IMS solution is unique in its approach to tagging and dissociation steps, incorporating new technology and providing greatly increased speeds of process whilst maintaining recoveries as good as or better than the standard manual procedure.
- Microscope slide and cover - the Bioslide is a reinvention of the microscope slide specifically designed for CRYPTO TECT and wet detection that provides excellent flow conditions for video or stills microscopy.
- Microscope system - the innovative OcuLar microscope double fluorescent camera system is unique in its automated three dimensional positioning module, allowing automatic focusing and movement for accurate positioning over the Bioslide.
Benefits of CRYPTO TECT
- Speed – Water Companies can be alerted within hours of a detection event to take appropriate action and minimise the risk of an outbreak of Cryptosporidium.
- Improved recovery rates and detection of single oocysts in volumes of water up to 1,000 litres every 24 hours.
- Sample analysis at intervals of two hours or greater with real-time data feedback. Detection of a suspected oocyst (an ‘event’) triggers an immediate alert for prompt verification by an operator enabling rapid action to minimise or prevent water supply infiltration.
- Dramatic reduction in the number of false positives, by comparison of the digital and spectral signals against controls which include the target organism and non-target contaminants.
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