ProKyma™ Technologies Limited

and Dstl's particulate concentration techniques using ultrasound standing waves.

 

Various analytical applications require the manipulation and analysis of very small samples volumes, which in many cases contain the target materials (or analyte) at very low concentrations. In addition, current preparation procedures often reduce concentrations of the analyte further. To counter these issues detection systems often improve sensitivity by improving the amount of signal detected from the target analyte present. Equally, increasing the amount of analyte actually interacting with the detection system can lead to significant improvements in sensitivity.

Dstl scientists with University collaborators have developed an elegant way of manipulating or concentrating micro-particulate/microbiological/pharmaceutical analytes. The patented technology (WO 2004/024287 and WO 2004/033087) uses sound waves to create specific regions in a fluid into which micro-particulates (e.g. bacterial cells and spores) are forced.  The ability to control the movement of minute particulates in a rapid and robust manner allows:

1. Analytes to be concentrated by many orders of magnitude
2. Material to be held in a flowing liquid to be later released as a pulse
3. More target analytes to interact with a surface, such as a detector.
4. Filtration of a liquid to remove unwanted micro-particulates.

 

The technology has the potential to reach disparate sectors/markets with common challenges. Ploughshare Innovations has created a a dedicated company, ProKyma™ Technologies Ltd, to develop the platform and initially apply it to the diagnostics and life science markets.

 

The following video clips highlight the technology in real time examples (You will need Macromedia Flash 7 or later to view the video clips. Install latest Flash Player):