Fiber Optic Biosensor for Early Prediction of Infection

IA, Inc. proposes to develop a light weight, field-portable, fiber-optic sensor capable of measuring a panel of prognostic and diagnostic infection indicators including IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-12, and CRP. The proposed sensor will provide a system suitable for field medical units which is capable of early detection of infection, and will require only minimally trained operators. The sensor will be able to determine serum concentrations of IL-6 IL-12, TNF-alpha and CRP in 3-10 minutes. The portable biosensor system will be based on proven fiber optic biosensor technology recently developed by IA. Based on this technology, IA has already demonstrated the feasibility of developing a fiber optic biosensor capable of detecting serum IL-6 concentrations at the femptogram/ml level. During Phase I, IA, Inc. will confirm the preliminary IL-6 results and where necessary, redesign the sensor to improve performance, reliability and stability. In Phase I, IA will also develop and IL-12 sensor, and evaluate a technique for using a single fiber sensor for measuring multiple serum prognostic indicators. In Phase II the measurements will be extended to include TNF-alpha and CRP and the field-portable instrument developed. The proposed system can be used in urgent care facilities, emergency rooms, and hospital wards to improve the care provider's ability to detect and treat low level infections before they become severe. By detecting infections before they have become established, patient mortality rates, the length of hospital stays, and morbidity associated with physical trauma and surgical procedures will decrease.