You are here

IN SITU DETECTION OF DENTAL UNIT BIOFILMS

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 2R44DE012989-02A1
Agency Tracking Number: DE012989
Amount: $749,993.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2002
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
INTELLIGENT OPTICAL SYSTEMS 2520 W 237TH ST
TORRANCE, CA 90505
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 INDU SAXENA
 (310) 530-7130
 SBIRPROPOSALS@INTOPSYS.COM
Business Contact
 ASHUTOSH SHARMA
Phone: (310) 530-7130
Email: ASHARMA@INTOPSYS.COM
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant):
This Phase II grant application requests funds for developing a portable monitoring system suitable for the general screening of bacterial fouling in water lines used in dental practice or in hemodialysis facilities. In Phase I, Intelligent Optical Systems (lOS) demonstrated the detection of bacteria biofilm on polycarbonate tubes (coupons) using flexible sub-mm optical fiber probe (Bioprobe). This system allows on-line detection, and eliminates the slow, laborious, and complicated microbial counting and microscopic methods currently used to monitor biofilm. Bioprobe is suitable for the real-time detection of sessile and suspended bacteria in dental unit water and other medical fluid delivery systems. In Phase II, lOS will detect 500 cfu/ml or better of planktonic and sessile bacteria by optimizing Bioprobe's sensitivity and reproducibility. Using a variety of bacterial cultures, the probe will be tested rigorously in the laboratory to establish its versatility. Neural network-based signal processing techniques will be used to remove cross-sensitivity to contaminants such as proteins and polysaccharides. At the end of Phase II, the Bioprobe will be alpha-tested in medical and dental clinics in preparation for its commercial launch.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS:
The first commercial application of the on-line Bioprobe will be in the detection of biofilms in dental unit water lines (DUWLs). The Biprobe will also be used to detect biofilm buildup in food processing and hemodialysis systems. Eventually, we visualize the use of the Bioprobe in industrial systems in which biofilm acculation poses problems, including heat exchangers and desalination operations.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government