Microfluidic chamber assembly for mastitis assay

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for the detection of mastitis or other disease from a body fluid of a mammal for example from cow's milk. The device and method relates to a wedge microfluidic chamber for using a minimal amount of fluid and being able to use the device to observe leukocytes in a mono-layer for the purpose of disease detection, cell counts or the like.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 785,877 filed on 24 Mar. 2006 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to microfluidic chamber for analyzing a subjects' body fluids, in particular milk, to determine if the subject has a bacterial infection such as bovine mastitis. Specifically, the invention relates to a chamber assembly which can be used to detect mastitis or other bacterial disease in bovine or other mammal species.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland caused by microorganisms that invade one or more quadrants of the bovine udder, multiply, and produce toxins that are harmful to the mammary gland. Economic loss to mastitis in the United States is estimated to be approximately $185 / cow annually. The total annual US cost of mastitis is over $ 2 billion. This is approximately...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a device and method for testing leucocyte-containing fluids, such as bovine milk, for a leucocyte differential test. The device is a microfluidic chamber assembly with a wedge design that can be easily used by farmers in the field. The test is quick, accurate, and uses small volumes of milk. The device is disposable and can be easily prepared by the farmer. The method involves adding the liquid containing leucocytes to the chamber, enumerating and calculating the leucocytes into sub-populations, and deriving a differential count of the sub-populations. The invention provides a useful tool for farmers to test the quality of their milk."

Problems solved by technology

This is approximately 10% of the total value of farm milk sales, and about two-thirds of this loss is due to reduced milk production in subclinically infected cows.

Other losses are due to discarded abnormal milk and milk withheld from cows treated with antibiotic, costs of early replacement of affected cows, reduced sale value of culled cows, costs of drugs and veterinary services, and increased labor costs.

Mastitis reduces milk yield and alters milk composition.

Subclinical mastitis causes the greatest financial loss to dairy farmers through lowered milk production.

One method is using flow-cytometry, an expensive, sophisticated tool only found in top research laboratories.

This method is not even remotely practical for the farmer.

Its only alternative, the “manual milk differential smear” (MMDS), is a difficult and time consuming procedure, subject to great variability, even when performed by highly trained laboratory technologists.

It is impractical for field research or the barn environment as well.

The device suffers from some difficulties in use.

First since the cover slip end opposite the shim is not fixed the end can leak, shift or get caught on other objects during use.

Second since the design involves a shim the entire length of the cover slip there is no easy way to place the liquid in the chamber.

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