RAPID PATHOGEN DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND METHOD

A microfluidic device of a diagnostic and detection system includes an inlet port connected by one or more microchannels to an outlet port and includes a capture and visualization chamber (CVC) connected to at least one microchannel. A fluid to be analyzed can be mixed with magnetic microbeads that have an affinity to become bound to target components, such as pathogens in the fluid. The fluid including the magnetically bound target components can be injected through the microfluidic device. Magnetic field gradient, such as provided by permanent or electro-magnets, can be applied to the fluid and the magnetically bound target components flowing through the microfluidic device to cause the magnetically bound target components to migrate into the (CVC) and become separated from the fluid. The magnetically bound target components can be analyzed and tested using various techniques to detect the presence of specific organic and inorganic materials, such as pathogens in bio-fluids and contamination in liquid food sources (e.g. water). The device and method provide a system for rapidly detecting pathogens and contamination in relatively small fluid samples.