Patent ID: 8663909

Claim:
An apparatus for detecting, identifying, or enumerating a microorganism or particle with attached biomolecule, microorganism or virus, the apparatus comprising: a micro-channel plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of micro-channels formed therein extending from said top surface to said bottom surface of the micro-channel plate, the micro-channels having an opening in said top surface extending to said bottom surface of the micro-channel plate, for detecting in a filtered sample without preliminary growth the microorganism or particle with attached biomolecule, microorganism or virus in the plurality of micro-channels, said micro-channel plate fabricated from a single disc having a diameter of at least 25 mm, said plurality of micro-channels ranging in number between 100,000 to 1,000,000 micro-channels per square centimeter of the micro-channel plate and spaced about 1 μm to 2 μm apart so that the micro-channel plate contains at least about 25,000,000 micro-channels; a filter having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface positioned adjacent to said bottom surface of said micro-channel plate for filtering the microorganism or particle with attached biomolecule, microorganism or virus; a removable porous filter holder having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface positioned adjacent to said bottom surface of said filter; and an agarose block containing artificial substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said agarose block being a replacement for said filter holder such that following completion of the filtering of the microorganism or particle with attached biomolecule, microorganism or virus, said filter holder is removed and said top surface of said agarose block is positioned adjacent to said bottom surface of said filter, wherein the plurality of micro-channels are substantially filled by the artificial substrate from said agarose block resulting in said microorganism or particle appearing as a visible colored or fluorescent dot.