Micro Imaging Technology, Inc. today provided an update on the family of bacteria identifying software that accompanies the MIT 1000A. The System, manufactured exclusively for MIT by Hawthorne, CA-based OSI Optoelectronics, Inc., is a stand-alone optically-based bacteria identification system that uses proven principles of physics in conjunction with proprietary PC-based software and is USB compliant. The MIT 1000A can complete an identifying test in less than five (5) minutes and with a material cost of pennies -- adding further credence to MIT's claims of being able to annually save thousands of lives and tens of millions of dollars in health care costs with their unique technologies.
As explained by MIT's Chief Scientist, David Haavig, PhD: "In the US, around 76 million cases of food borne illnesses, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, are estimated to occur each year. The leading cause of these illnesses and deaths are three main strains of bacteria: E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Rapid identification of these disease causing pathogens in food is critical to the health and safety of all consumers."
Dr. Haavig further explained: "The AOAC Research Institute (AOAC RI) awarded the Company, in June 2009, Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) certification for the rapid identification of Listeria. The AOAC RI provides an independent third-party evaluation of methods and will award PTM certification to methods that demonstrate performance levels equivalent or better than other bacteria identifying methods. The MIT System underwent hundreds of individual tests over an eighteen-month period to earn AOAC RI's certification for the identification of Listeria; including evaluations of hardware, software, ease of use, documentation, ruggedness and accuracy."
Michael Brennan, MIT's Chairman, expanded on the Certification status: "MIT will begin the process of earning Performance Tested Methods Certification from the AOAC RI for the identification of E. coli and Salmonella in December, 2011. This certification process is far less difficult than the original Listeria certification. All hardware, software, documentation, and test procedures are identical to the Listeria certification process. The only items to prepare are the E. coli and Salmonella Identifiers, or database component, that should be concluded by early December."