Patent ID: 6846639

Claim:
A method for detecting pathogens attached to specific antibodies, comprising: providing a fluidic channel with at least one pair of spaced electrodes, providing an AC or DC power source to produce an electric field across the at least one pair of spaced electrodes, depositing antibodies on the spaced electrodes, providing antibody coated beads, directing a sample fluid containing pathogens and the antibody coated beads past the spaced electrodes, allowing the pathogens to bind to the antibodies that are deposited on the spaced electrodes, allowing the antibody coated beads to stick to the pathogens that are bound to the antibodies that are deposited on the spaced electrodes, measuring the impedance between the spaced electrodes prior to said sample fluid containing pathogens and the antibody coated beads being directed past the spaced electrodes, and determining the presence of pathogens attached to the antibodies by measuring change in impedance between said pair of spaced electrodes with the antibody coated beads amplifying the change in impedance.