The proprietary patented magnetic separation technology with which the Pathatrix™ Auto Instrument performs pathogen enrichment and purification occurs within plastic disposable vessels loaded into a Pathatrix™ Auto Cartridge. Each Pathatrix Auto Cartridge can be loaded and run independently of the others, and each Pathatrix Auto Instrument has slots for five cartridges.

Contaminated samples are first added to the consumable sample vessel. Paramagnetic beads, surface-modified for pathogen capture, are then added, and the sample vessel and attached elution vessel are loaded into the Pathatrix Auto Cartridge. The Pathatrix Auto Instrument uses magnets housed in the Pathatrix Auto Cartridge to capture the beads, and then efficiently recirculates the sample over the captured beads. Target organisms are retained by the immobilized beads, and after an automated washing and elution step, the isolated organisms are ready for downstream detection. The entire process is automated and takes only about 15 minutes.

Although the Pathatrix™ Auto Instrument includes 5 Pathatrix™ Auto Cartridges, this additional cartridge may be purchased, either as a replacement, or to provide the added convenience of being able to load a sample while others are running in the instrument.

A Pathatrix™ Auto Cartridge Holder (ordered separately) serves as a stable platform for each cartridge during loading and transport.