Gatpr4D

Locate and Identify target Molecules
in just a few minutes.

The Gator4d is a Quantum leap in fluorescence Microscopy.
Not only does it Miniaturize and streamline Time-Gated Luminescence processing technology, which previously has been bulky and expensive, but it also drastically reduces the required culturing time for samples due to its extreme sensitivity and the state of the art signal to noise ratio.

Increase your labs detection efficiency

Detect bacterium in hours not weeks

The Gator4D allows for the microscopist to easily detect pathogens with greater precision, through our patented Gated Auto-synchronous Luminescence detection technology (GALD). It turns seemingly incomprehensible microscope slide marred with Auto Fluroescence, into an easily navigatable and traceable area by only displaying the targetted particles. In effect this makes identifying, locating and detecing target particles much easier, simpler and quicker and we therefore require less of the target particles to find it, takeing away the need for weeks of culturing and tedious searching.

Completely Suppress Autofluorescence

Auto fluorescence is a ubiquitous phenomenon, numerous biological molecules fluoresce and the distribution and intensity of auto fluorescence is often so great that conventional FM has little utility. It is precisely the problem in detecting Cryptosporidium parvum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in many samples. We completely alleviate this problem through our streamlined Time-Gated Luminescence Technology

Simple and Cost effective

The Gator4D enables TGL analysis far cheaper and more effectively than existing technologies and setups. It can also be retrofitted to a very wide range of existing microscopes simply and quickly through the DIC slot. In 2009 there were an estimated 12.1 million microscopes in use worldwide (Source: BCC Research, http://www.bccresearch.com/) and given that the Gator4D's price is set to be around $25K USD, a reasonable figure given that conversion typically costs $45K, a mere 1% of the world market could allow hospitals and labs to collectively save billions.

Automated Setups

How it Works

The Gator4D exploits the absence of (natural) delayed luminescence in biological systems to make bacteria or biomolecules stand out in stark contrast against a black background. The patented (GALD) technology enables for high speed TGL analysis since the highly reflective surface of the rotor excites sample fluorescence very efficiently and the delayed luminescence can be seen without the imposition of a filter. Thus labeled target cells appear brighter and the slide can be scanned automatically with a machine vision system at relatively high speed, faster than a human operator could comfortably analyze the same slide. Within such a framework, quality systems such as IS09001 can be implemented with a high degree of confidence, bar-coded slides can be archived for later retrieval if required and can serve as a valuable source of reference material for further study or teaching purposes. A significant advantage with this system is that the both the morphology and number of organisms are readily determined. It is also possible to identify live and dead cells using conventional microscopy techniques, this information is valuable since a course of antibiotics may already have been started by the patient and if effective will result in many dead bacterial cells

Studies and Scientific Papers

Published Papers based on Research and Development of the Patented Gator4D Technology

Development

Autofluorescence – dazzling beauty hides dangerous organisms

Conventional microscopy makes wide use of fluorescent dyes coupled to bio-reactive molecules that can bind with specific cells or bacteria in a process known as labelling. This technique renders the target cells or bacteria brilliantly fluorescent when viewed through a fluorescence microscope; the problem with this method is the wide abundance of natural substances that exibit intrinsic fluorescence, that is they glow without having been 'labelled' with a fluorescent dye. This background fluorescence is known as autofluorescence and can be so intense as to render the conventional fluorescence microscopy useless.

Initial Catalyst - Water Crisis
The initial catalyst for this invention was a Cryptosporidium outbreak detected in Sydney’s water supply; the water crisis of 1999-2000. To detect this dangerous organism, scientists were taking large volumes of water and filtering all of the solid material for analysis under the microscope. As a result, any Cryptosporidium present were mixed up in a beautifully fluorescence mixture of plant debris, algae and mud. It was an impossible task to find the tiny Cryptosporidium eggs (known as oocysts) in amongst this kaleidoscope of colour. It was a little like looking for a needle in a haystack of haystacks!
There was no quick solution for this problem but it was the impetus for the scientists to start looking at ways of hiding that distracting fluorescence mix from view. Professors Jim Piper and Duncan Veal decided to build a microscope that could discriminate things based on their luminescence lifetime. Most people are familiar with the glow-in-the-dark stickers that children often have in their bedroom. When the lights are turned off, the stickers continue to glow brightly and are clearly visible in the dark.
The scientists reasoned that if the microorganisms were labeled with something like the glow-in-the-dark dye, they could use a bright light to excite the glow and then turn the light off and quickly take a picture. This technique works because natural fluorescence dies very quickly after the light is turned off and it becomes invisible. This is the basis of a time-gated luminescence microscope and it was this instrument that Russell worked on to complete his doctorate dissertation. The microscope was expensive to build ($100,000) and you couldn’t see the glow with your eyes, you had to use a special camera to see the glowing bacteria.
GALD
There had to be a better way! The GALD invention is an inexpensive portable mechanical device, a bit smaller than a mobile phone which can be fitted to a standard fluorescence microscope to observe delayed luminescence. It enables rapid identification of microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph), tuberculosis, Cryptosporidium and Giardia in samples of water, blood and other body fluids.
Delayed Luminescence Detection relies on special compounds that glow persistently after a short exposure to strong light. The bacteria or parasites are coated with these compounds and then viewed through the GALD which suppresses all light except that emitted by the coated bacteria. The effect is similar to searching for one person in a huge crowd at night, but that person has a light on their head.

The technology was shown on ABC TV on the New Inventors program, winning on the night and making it through to the Grand Finals of the show in 2010. The device is known as the GALD which is an acronym derived from "Gated Auto-synchronous Luminescence Detector". The GALD has been patented throughout Europe, USA and Australia and development of the device continues today.

New Inventors and Engineering Excellence Awards
The initial catalyst for this invention was a Cryptosporidium outbreak detected in Sydney’s water supply; the water crisis of 1999-2000. To detect this dangerous organism, scientists were taking large volumes of water and filtering all of the solid material for analysis under the microscope. As a result, any Cryptosporidium present were mixed up in a beautifully fluorescence mixture of plant debris, algae and mud. It was an impossible task to find the tiny Cryptosporidium eggs (known as oocysts) in amongst this kaleidoscope of colour. It was a little like looking for a needle in a haystack of haystacks!
Gator4D - DIC Slot Compatible Device, Self Contained Unit


Specifications

Gator4D Components

Item

Part Number

Description

1

GAH0001

Gator4D Head

1.1

Sapphire output window 7mm

1.2

Removable End-Cap – inlet port for external laser light source

1.3

Status LED, red / green / blue LED reports Gator4D operating status

2

GAC0001

Gator4D Controller

2.1

LCD instrument display

2.2

Capacitive Touch Panel (6 pads)

2.3

GCC6211

Power Switch ON / OFF

2.4

Lemo 6-pin Socket

3

GAE0001

Gator4D Control Cable

4

12 VDC, 4 Amp switching power supply

4.1

DC power connector 2.1 mm, central pin positive

4.2

AC power cable, either 110V or 240V capable

Touchpad Components

  1. RUN / STOP key – this touchpad contact is used to start and stop the G4D Head operation.
  2. MODE key – three different modes of time-gated luminescence switching are accessed through this touchpad: Normal, Enhanced and Prompt.
  3. EXIT key – this is the exit or Escape key for most menu functions.
  4. MENU key – invokes a short menu of available operations – set date and time, turn menu lighting off together with data reporting routines for maintenance.
  5. DOWN key – navigation key used to move down in the MENU function
  6. UP key – navigation key used to move up in the MENU function.
  7. BATTERY operation – an orange LED above the battery symbol indicates the Gator4D controller is running on its internal 12 Volt power pack.
  8. EXTERNAL power or INTERNAL power indicator – above image shows Gator4D running from the external DC power pack with a ü When operating from internal battery an X will be shown instead.
  9. BATTERY status indicator – shows empty whilst connected to external DC power pack (as in the above image) and as a filled icon when fully charged and the controller is using internal battery. Note the switching from external to internal power is done automatically on loss of external power.
  10. ROTOR spins during normal operation, stops when G4D Head is halted.
  11. STATUS shows the next available status of the controller. When the G4D Head is active and running, touching the RUN keypad will stop operations. In the halted mode, the display will show RUN as the next available mode, touching RUN keypad will initiate G4D Head operation.
  12. RPM – reports the current rotation speed of the rotor in revolutions per minute.
  13. Indicator light – changes state when the keypad is touched to give visual feedback of command acknowledgment.

For further details you can download the user manual here: