Micro Identification Technologies contracts OSIO to manufacture laser-based microbial identifier

San Clemente, CA--Micro Identification Technologies (MIT) signed an agreement with OSI Optoelectronics (OSIO), a subsidiary of OSI Systems, to manufacture its microbial rapid identification system, the MIT 1000. OSIO has manufacturing facilities in California, Malaysia, and India. OSIO also fabricates the photodiode detectors that are used in the MIT 1000 and has the ability to supply other components. "We are pleased to work with MIT as we feel their innovative product will become a valuable tool to help prevent widespread bacterial contamination," said Manoocher Mansouri, OSIO's president. See related articles "NRL Raman SWOrRD speeds environmental and battlefield sensing" and "Plasmons enhance bioluminescence".

The MIT 1000 is a medical laser based, microbial rapid identification system capable of identifying 23 different species of pathogenic bacteria--just minutes after culturing. Due to the small sample volume required, culture time is also reduced by up to 50% compared to standard testing procedures. In most cases, results can be obtained in as little as eight hours from the time the culturing process begins.

The device uses the principles of light scattering to discriminate various bacteria cells that are suspended in filtered water. Incident laser light both reflects off the bacteria’s outer surface and penetrates the body of the bacterium, the light interacts with any structural features and eventually emerges from inside the cell. These light patterns are unique for each species and thereby create a signature that is captured and stored in a computer database. The MIT 1000 features 35 photodetectors that surround the sample vial and collect light-scattering intensities that are generated when a cell intersects the laser beam. The scattering values collected by the detectors are statistically analyzed by MIT’s proprietary software that contains an extensive database of values for each bacteria seen by the photodetectors. Identification occurs when 10-50 organisms are analyzed, and typically takes less than 10 minutes. The value of this system is high when compared to other testing methods. The cost per test (after culturing) is estimated to be approximately ten cents, compared to an average rapid identification cost of $2.85.

OSI Optoelectronics is a subsidiary of OSI Systems. They provide complete solutions and services from concept to design to production. Their engineering team is qualified in numerous technologies that include: Silicon, III-V compound device design & fabrication, optics assembly design, Hybrids Circuit and Multi-chip Modules (MCM) design, Thick and Thin Film; Single and Double Sided Ceramic Design, Electro-Mechanical Assembly, Hardware Design, Software Development, Electronics Circuit , Assembly Design, Printed Circuit Board Design and Mechanical Design. Their expertise spans through numerous industries that include: Medical, aerospace and defense, security, communication and industrial OEM solutions and their manufacturing services are developed for scalability from prototype to volume production.

--Posted by Gail Overton; [email protected]; www.laserfocusworld.com