Microorganism culture device and microorganism monitoring system

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of microbial culture device and microbial monitoring system, the microbial culture device includes microcavity array chip and breathable membrane;Microcavity array chip is equipped with sample inlet, sealed cavity, multiple microfluidic channels and multiple culture cavities, and sealed cavity is communicated with sample inlet;The inlet end of each microfluidic channel is spaced apart around sealed cavity, and the outlet end of microfluidic channel extends towards the end away from sealed cavity;Each culture cavity is communicated with the outlet end of at least one microfluidic channel;Each culture cavity is equipped with breathable port, and breathable membrane is connected microcavity array chip and covers all breathable ports.The utility model is simple in structure on the basis of improving detection efficiency, accuracy and reliability, low in cost and simple in operation, and high in applicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of microbial monitoring technology, and in particular relates to a microbial culture device and a microbial monitoring system. Background Technology

[0002] To achieve effective detection of bacteria or fungi, microfluidic technology can miniaturize the detection process. By manipulating samples through microchannels, it can rapidly separate and enrich target microorganisms in pathogen detection, thereby improving detection sensitivity. In existing technologies, microfluidic chips used for microbial detection involve numerous microvalves and intricate structures, resulting in complex designs, high costs, and difficulties in mass production. Furthermore, microbial detection requires complex external control systems, cumbersome operation, and demands high levels of professional knowledge and practical experience from operators. The detection cycle is long, and result interpretation relies on expensive equipment with stringent environmental requirements. This complexity and low efficiency limit its applicability in resource-constrained scenarios such as primary healthcare and remote areas. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the technical problems of existing microbial culture devices, such as complex structure, high cost, low efficiency and low applicability of microbial monitoring, by providing a microbial culture device and a microbial monitoring system.

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, this utility model provides a microbial culture device, including a microcavity array chip and a breathable membrane; the microcavity array chip is provided with a sample inlet, a sealing cavity, multiple microchannels, and multiple culture chambers, the sealing cavity being connected to the sample inlet; the inlet end of each microchannel is arranged at intervals around the sealing cavity, and the outlet end of each microchannel extends toward the end away from the sealing cavity; each culture chamber is connected to at least one outlet end of the microchannel;

[0005] Each of the culture chambers is provided with a vent, and the vent membrane is connected to the microcavity array chip and covers all the vents.

[0006] Optionally, both the vent and the sample inlet are located on the top surface of the microcavity array chip, and multiple vents are arranged at intervals around the sample inlet.

[0007] Optionally, the sealed cavity is provided with a plurality of flow dividers; the plurality of flow dividers are arranged at intervals around the inlet to divide the sealed cavity into a flow divider channel located between any two adjacent flow dividers, and a flow divider cavity located between the flow divider and the inlet end of the microchannel;

[0008] The inlet of the diversion channel is connected to the sample inlet, and the outlet of the diversion channel is connected to the inlet of the microchannel through the diversion cavity.

[0009] Optionally, the width of the shunt channel gradually increases from the injection port toward a direction away from the injection port.

[0010] Optionally, the flow divider cavity is arranged in a ring shape, and all the flow dividers are located within the ring-shaped flow divider cavity.

[0011] Optionally, the material of the microcavity array chip is at least one of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, cyclic olefin copolymer, or cyclic olefin polymer; and / or

[0012] The pore size of the breathable membrane is 0.1μm-0.3μm.

[0013] Optionally, the multiple culture chambers may have equal volumes.

[0014] Optionally, a plurality of the culture chambers are arranged at intervals around the inlet; and / or

[0015] The culture chamber is hexagonal, circular, or square.

[0016] A microbial monitoring system includes a controller, a monitoring device, and at least one of the microbial culture devices; both the monitoring device and the microbial culture device are communicatively connected to the controller.

[0017] Optionally, the microbial monitoring system further includes a three-way connector; the first end of the three-way connector is connected to the sample inlet, the second end of the three-way connector is connected to the sample container, and the third end of the three-way connector is connected to the sealing oil container.

[0018] The microbial culture device provided by this utility model includes a microcavity array chip and a breathable membrane; the microcavity array chip is provided with an inlet, a sealing cavity, multiple microchannels, and multiple culture chambers, and the sealing cavity is connected to the inlet; the inlet end of each microchannel is arranged at intervals around the sealing cavity, and the outlet end of the microchannel extends towards the end away from the sealing cavity; each culture chamber is connected to the outlet end of at least one microchannel; each culture chamber is provided with a breathable port, and the breathable membrane is connected to the microcavity array chip and covers all the breathable ports.

[0019] The microbial culture device provided by this invention significantly shortens the incubation time required for signal detection by using multiple culture chambers on a microcavity array chip, thus enabling rapid detection and analysis. Multiple microchannels have their inlet ends spaced around the sealed cavity, and their outlet ends extend away from the sealed cavity. Therefore, without the need for complex microfluidic pumps or valves, the test solution flowing from the inlet into the sealed cavity can be quickly and evenly spread and dispersed into multiple culture chambers, improving the distribution efficiency and uniformity of the test solution. By setting up the sealed cavity, after the test solution enters the culture chamber, the sealing oil entering the sealed cavity through the inlet seals the inlet end of the microchannel, preventing... The migration of microorganisms in the test solution between different culture chambers avoids resource competition among microorganisms, ensuring that the test solution in each culture chamber can be cultured in a relatively independent and stable environment. This is conducive to the enrichment of microorganisms and their metabolites, providing favorable conditions for microbial growth and colorimetric reactions, ensuring the consistency and stability of the test solution, and significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of detection. Simultaneously, a breathable membrane allows gas to enter and exit the culture chamber while preventing the test solution from flowing out through the vents. This provides a stable gas exchange channel and prevents the loss of the test solution containing microorganisms due to culture chamber leakage, ensuring normal microbial growth and accurate detection. This invention, while improving detection efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, has a simple structure, low cost, and is easy to operate, making it highly applicable. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microbial monitoring system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of a microbial monitoring system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective structural diagram of a microbial monitoring system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microcavity array chip provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a microcavity array chip provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microbial monitoring system provided in another embodiment of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 7This is a flowchart of a microbial monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is an embodiment of the present invention, showing images of microorganisms in a culture chamber collected at 1-hour intervals.

[0029] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0030] 100. Microbial culture device; 110. Microcavity array chip; 111. Sample inlet; 112. Sealed cavity; 1121. Flow split channel; 1122. Flow split cavity; 113. Microchannel; 114. Culture cavity; 115. Vent; 116. Flow splitting component; 120. Ventilation membrane; 200. Monitoring device; 300. T-connector; 400. Sample container; 500. Sealing oil container. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the technical problems solved, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment of the present invention provides a microbial culture device 100, including a microcavity array chip 110 and a breathable membrane 120; the microcavity array chip 110 is provided with an inlet 111, a sealing cavity 112, a plurality of microchannels 113, and a plurality of culture chambers 114, the sealing cavity 112 being connected to the inlet 111; the inlet end of each microchannel 113 is spaced around the sealing cavity 112, and the outlet end of each microchannel 113 extends toward the end away from the sealing cavity 112; each culture chamber 114 is connected to at least one outlet end of the microchannel 113; each culture chamber 114 is provided with a vent 115, and the breathable membrane 120 is connected to the microcavity array chip 110 and covers all the vents 115.

[0033] Understandably, the microchannel 113 is used to transport the test solution, which enters the sealed cavity 112 through the sample inlet 111, to the culture chamber 114. The sealed cavity 112 is used to seal the inlet end of the microchannel 113 with sealing oil entering through the sample inlet 111 after the test solution enters the culture chamber 114. Figure 2 and Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, the number of microchannels 113 is equal to and corresponds one-to-one with the number of culture chambers 114, with each microchannel 113 connected to one culture chamber 114. However, in some embodiments, when the culture chamber 114 is large and requires a large amount of liquid, at least two microchannels 113 may simultaneously connect to the same culture chamber 114 to increase the liquid inflow rate of the culture chamber 114. Furthermore, when the microbial culture device 100 is in use, i.e.... Figure 3 As shown, the microbial culture device 100 is placed horizontally. In the vertical direction, the top surface of the sealed cavity 112 is higher than the top surface of the microchannel 113; the bottom surface of the sealed cavity 112 is higher than or equal to the bottom surface of the microchannel 113, thereby ensuring that the test liquid in the sealed cavity 112 can flow smoothly into the microchannel 113, avoiding waste of the test liquid. The shape of the microcavity array chip 110 can be specifically set according to the arrangement of the microchannel 113 and the culture cavity 114, for example, it can be set as a disc shape, ellipse, square, etc. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the microcavity array chip 110 is disc-shaped, so that the lengths of the microchannels 113 arranged at intervals around the sealed cavity 112 are approximately equal, thereby allowing the test liquid to be evenly distributed into each culture cavity 114.

[0034] The breathable membrane 120 covers all the vents 115, allowing gas to enter and exit the culture chamber 114 while preventing the test solution from flowing out through the vents 115. This provides a stable gas exchange channel for the culture chamber 114 and prevents the test solution containing microorganisms from leaking out due to leakage from the culture chamber 114, ensuring normal microbial growth and accurate detection. The breathable membrane 120 can be connected to the microcavity array chip 110 by double-sided adhesive to form a seal between the breathable membrane 120 and the microcavity array chip 110, preventing leakage of the test solution in the culture chamber 114 through any gaps that may form between the breathable membrane 120 and the microcavity array chip 110. The breathable membrane 120 can be a waterproof or hydrophobic breathable membrane, or other breathable but waterproof thin film. Specifically, the waterproof and breathable membrane can be made of materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene, thermoplastic polyurethane rubber, or polyurethane. This membrane allows gaseous water molecules (water vapor) to pass through while blocking liquid water penetration, achieving a "breathable but waterproof" effect. Conversely, the hydrophobic and breathable membrane can be made of materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, or hydrophobically modified materials. This membrane repels liquid water through the hydrophobicity of its surface while maintaining gas permeability. The pore size of the breathable membrane can be set according to actual conditions (e.g., the oxygen requirement of microorganisms in the test liquid), as long as it allows gaseous water molecules (water vapor) to pass through while blocking liquid water penetration, achieving a "breathable but waterproof" effect. In one embodiment, the pore size of the breathable membrane 120 is 0.1 μm-0.3 μm.

[0035] In one embodiment, the material of the microcavity array chip 110 is at least one of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, cyclic olefin copolymer or cyclic olefin polymer.

[0036] The number or shape of the culture chambers 114 can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the shape, size and spacing of the culture chambers 114 can be adjusted according to the volume requirements of different test liquids, thereby improving the adaptability to various test liquids of different volumes and enabling the microbial culture device 100 to be widely used in various microbial culture scenarios.

[0037] In one embodiment, the multiple culture chambers 114 have equal volumes, further ensuring the consistency and stability of the reaction of the test solution in the culture chambers 114. However, in some embodiments, the volumes of the culture chambers 114 may be unequal as required.

[0038] In one embodiment, a plurality of culture chambers 114 are arranged at intervals around the sample inlet 111, so that both the culture chambers 114 and the microchannels 113 are arranged around the sample inlet 111, which facilitates the layout. Figure 3As shown, the inlet end of the microchannel 113 is connected to the sealed cavity 112, and the entire microchannel 113 radiates outward in a straight line around the sample inlet 111, and is connected to the culture cavity 114 at the outlet end, and the different microchannels 113 are evenly spaced.

[0039] In one embodiment, the culture chamber 114 includes, but is not limited to, being hexagonal, circular, or square.

[0040] In the above embodiments of this utility model, the incubation time required for signal detection can be significantly shortened by the multiple culture chambers 114 provided on the microcavity array chip 110, thereby enabling rapid detection and analysis. The inlet ends of multiple microchannels 113 are spaced around the sealed cavity 112, and the outlet ends of the microchannels 113 extend towards the end away from the sealed cavity 112. Therefore, without the need for complex microfluidic pumps or valves, the test liquid flowing from the inlet 111 into the sealed cavity 112 can be quickly and evenly spread and dispersed into the multiple culture chambers 114 via the microchannels 113, improving the distribution efficiency and uniformity of the test liquid. By providing the sealed cavity 112, after the test liquid enters the culture chamber 114, the sealing oil entering the sealed cavity 112 through the inlet 111 seals the microchannels 114. The inlet end of 13 prevents the migration of microorganisms in the test solution between different culture chambers 114, avoiding resource competition among microorganisms and ensuring that the test solution in each culture chamber 114 can be cultured in a relatively independent and stable environment. This is conducive to the enrichment of microorganisms and their metabolites, providing favorable conditions for microbial growth and colorimetric reactions, ensuring the consistency and stability of the test solution, and significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of detection. At the same time, the gas in the culture chamber 114 is allowed to enter and exit through the vent membrane 120, while preventing the test solution from flowing out through the vent 115 of the culture chamber 114. This provides a stable gas exchange channel and prevents the test solution containing microorganisms from being lost due to leakage from the culture chamber 114, ensuring the normal growth of microorganisms and the accuracy of detection. This utility model has a simple structure, low cost, and simple operation, and high applicability, while improving detection efficiency, accuracy, and reliability.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the vent 115 and the sample inlet 111 are both located on the top surface of the microcavity array chip 110, and a plurality of vents 115 are arranged at intervals around the sample inlet 111.

[0042] Understandably, as the test solution enters the culture chamber 114, the liquid level gradually rises, and the gas in the culture chamber 114 is discharged through the vents 115. The vents 115 are all located on the top surface of the microcavity array chip 110. During the injection of the test solution into the culture chamber 114, it does not initially contact the vent membrane 120, thus providing a channel for the gas in the culture chamber 114 to exit. The location of the vents 115 on the top surface of the microcavity array chip 110 also facilitates the assembly of the vent membrane 120 with the microcavity array chip 110, allowing all vents 115 to be conveniently covered by a single sheet of the vent membrane 120.

[0043] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the sealed cavity 112 is provided with a plurality of diverter elements 116; the plurality of diverter elements 116 are arranged at intervals around the sample inlet 111 to divide the sealed cavity 112 into a diverter channel 1121 located between any two adjacent diverter elements 116, and a diverter cavity 1122 located between the diverter element 116 and the inlet end of the microchannel 113; the liquid inlet of the diverter channel 1121 is connected to the sample inlet 111, and the liquid outlet of the diverter channel 1121 is connected to the inlet end of the microchannel 113 through the diverter cavity 1122.

[0044] Understandably, the diverter 116 is used to guide the test liquid to be evenly distributed in the diverter cavity 1122 through the diverter channel 1121, so that the test liquid is first evenly spread in the diverter cavity 1122, and then the test liquid evenly spread in the diverter cavity 1122 is evenly distributed into each of the culture cavities 114 through different surrounding microchannels 113. Furthermore, the diverter 116 also has a supporting effect in the sealing cavity 112, which can improve the structural strength of the sealing cavity 112. The shape of the diverter 116 can be set according to the actual situation, as long as it can guide the test liquid to be evenly distributed in the diverter cavity 1122.

[0045] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the width of the diversion channel 1121 gradually increases from the inlet 111 toward a direction away from the inlet 111. Figure 5In the illustrated embodiment, the flow divider 116 is fan-shaped, and the fan-shaped flow dividers 116 are evenly arranged around the inlet 111, so that the width of the flow divider channel 1121 gradually increases from the inlet 111 toward the direction away from the inlet 111. Thus, after the test liquid enters the flow divider channel 1121 formed between any two flow dividers 116 from the inlet 111, the flow velocity in the flow divider channel 1121 decreases because the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow divider channel 1121 from the inlet 111 toward the direction away from the inlet 111 increases, thereby facilitating the distribution and diffusion of the test liquid in the flow divider cavity 1122.

[0046] In one embodiment, the diversion cavity 1122 is arranged in a ring shape, and all the diversion elements 116 are located within the ring-shaped diversion cavity 1122. Understandably, after the test solution enters the ring-shaped diversion cavity 1122 through the diversion channel 1121, the test solution flowing out of the outlet of the diversion channel 1121 will not only directly enter the inlet end of the microchannel 113 opposite to it, but will also spread and distribute along the ring-shaped diversion cavity 1122 to both sides of the outlet, thereby flowing towards the inlet ends of the microchannels 113 located on both sides of the outlet. This allows the test solution to be evenly delivered to each of the culture chambers 114 through different microchannels 113. Furthermore, as the width of the diversion channel 1121 increases from the inlet 111 toward the direction away from the inlet 111, the flow rate of the test liquid decreases after it enters the annular diversion cavity 1122 through the diversion channel 1121. Therefore, the degree of distribution and diffusion of the test liquid along the annular diversion cavity 1122 toward both sides of the outlet is further enhanced, thereby further improving the uniform transmission effect of the test liquid in the microcavity array chip 110.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this utility model embodiment also provides a microbial monitoring system, including a controller, a monitoring device 200, and at least one of the aforementioned microbial culture devices 100; both the monitoring device 200 and the microbial culture device 100 are communicatively connected to the controller.

[0048] Understandably, the microbial monitoring system of this utility model is used to execute the following microbial monitoring methods. The various devices used in these methods, such as containers (including sample container 400, sealing oil container 500, etc.) or monitoring devices 200, can all be considered part of the microbial monitoring system and will not be elaborated further here. Each module in the controller can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in the controller in hardware form or independent of the controller, or stored in the controller in software form, so that the controller can call and execute the operations corresponding to each module.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the microbial monitoring system further includes a three-way connector 300; the first end of the three-way connector 300 is connected to the sample inlet 111, the second end of the three-way connector 300 is connected to the sample container 400, and the third end of the three-way connector 300 is connected to the sealing oil container 500. The three-way connector 300 can be a three-way stopcock. The sample container 400 can be a sample syringe. The sealing oil container 500 can be a sealing oil syringe.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown in the figure, this utility model embodiment also provides a microbial monitoring method applied to the microbial monitoring system. The microbial monitoring method can be directly executed by the controller of the microbial monitoring system, or it can be jointly executed by the controller of the microbial monitoring system and / or the control modules corresponding to other modules.

[0051] Furthermore, the microbial monitoring method includes:

[0052] S100: Receive the sample loading signal and control the preset volume of the test solution to sequentially enter each culture chamber 114 through the injection port 111, the sealed cavity 112, and the microchannel 113. The control of the test solution entering the culture chamber 114 from the injection port 111 can be performed by a pipette or syringe, etc. This pipette or syringe can be controlled by a controller, or a separate control module can be provided, as long as the control module is communicatively connected to and can be controlled by the controller.

[0053] Understandably, the test solution is a product obtained by mixing a drop or a small amount of sample solution taken from a large volume of sample solution with an indicator. The preset volume can be set according to actual conditions, as long as the preset volume is less than or equal to the sum of the volumes of all the culture chambers 114.

[0054] S200. Control the sealing oil to enter the sealing cavity 112 through the injection port 111 to seal the inlet end of the microchannel 113. The control of the sealing oil entering the sealing cavity 112 through the injection port 111 can be performed by a pipette or syringe, etc. This pipette or syringe can be controlled by a controller, or a separate control module can be provided, as long as the control module is communicatively connected to the controller and can be controlled by the controller.

[0055] Understandably, after the sealing oil enters the sealing cavity 112 through the injection port 111, it will push the remaining test solution in the sealing cavity 112 into the culture chamber 114. The injection of sealing oil can be stopped after sealing the inlet ends of all the microchannels 113. In one embodiment, the injection of sealing oil can be stopped after the sealing cavity 112 is filled. For example, the volume of the sealing oil can be equal to the volume of liquid that the sealing cavity 112 can hold; once all the sealing oil has entered the sealing cavity 112 through the injection port 111, it can be determined that the sealing cavity 112 is filled. Furthermore, the filling of the sealing cavity 112 can also be determined by means of a monitoring device 200 or similar method.

[0056] S300: The microbial culture device 100 is placed under preset culture conditions to culture the test liquid in the culture chamber 114, and the image of the test liquid in the culture chamber 114 is acquired by the monitoring device 200. The microbial monitoring result is determined based on the image of the test liquid.

[0057] Understandably, the monitoring device 200 includes, but is not limited to, devices capable of recording images such as high-definition cameras or mobile phones. In other embodiments, microorganisms in the culture chamber 114 can also be monitored visually. The test solution in this invention may or may not contain microorganisms, but the microbial monitoring results can indicate whether microorganisms are present in the test solution. Preset culture conditions can be set according to needs. For example, placing the microbial culture device 100 in a constant temperature incubator and controlling the culture temperature at a preset culture temperature constitutes the condition that the microbial culture device 100 is under the preset culture conditions.

[0058] In the above embodiments of this utility model, the incubation time required for signal detection can be significantly shortened by the multiple culture chambers 114 provided on the microcavity array chip 110, thereby enabling rapid detection and analysis. The inlet ends of multiple microchannels 113 are spaced around the sealed cavity 112, and the outlet ends of the microchannels 113 extend towards the end away from the sealed cavity 112. Therefore, without the need for complex microfluidic pumps or valves, the test liquid flowing from the inlet 111 into the sealed cavity 112 can be quickly and evenly spread and dispersed into the multiple culture chambers 114 via the microchannels 113, improving the distribution efficiency and uniformity of the test liquid. By providing the sealed cavity 112, after the test liquid enters the culture chamber 114, the sealing oil entering the sealed cavity 112 through the inlet 111 seals the microchannels 114. The inlet end of 13 prevents the migration of microorganisms in the test solution between different culture chambers 114, avoiding resource competition among microorganisms and ensuring that the test solution in each culture chamber 114 can be cultured in a relatively independent and stable environment. This is conducive to the enrichment of microorganisms and their metabolites, providing favorable conditions for microbial growth and colorimetric reactions, ensuring the consistency and stability of the test solution, and significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of detection. Simultaneously, the permeable membrane 120 allows gas to enter and exit the culture chamber 114, preventing the test solution from flowing out through the vent 115 of the culture chamber 114. This provides a stable gas exchange channel and prevents the loss of the test solution containing microorganisms due to leakage from the culture chamber 114, ensuring normal microbial growth and accurate detection. This invention is simple in structure, low in cost, easy to operate, and highly applicable, while improving detection efficiency, accuracy, and reliability. In one embodiment, the test solution contains an indicator. The indicator may be a resazurite indicator. The presence of microorganisms in the test solution is determined by whether resamarium (purple) turns into pink halogen or further transforms into colorless dihydrohalogen. Understandably, if microorganisms are present in the test solution, the color of resamarium will undergo a significant and easily identifiable change upon contact with the test solution due to the metabolic activity of bacteria or fungi. In its oxidized state, it exhibits a clear blue or purple color, while once reduced, the color gradually transitions to pink, and may eventually become colorless. If no microorganisms are present in the test solution, the test solution will not change color under the influence of the indicator.

[0059] Further, in step S300, the acquisition of microbial images in the culture chamber 114 by the monitoring device 200 and the determination of microbial monitoring results based on the microbial images include:

[0060] S310. The monitoring device 200 periodically or in real-time acquires images of the test liquid in the culture chamber 114, and extracts color feature information from the test liquid images. Specifically, a preset image recognition model can be used to perform color recognition on the test liquid images to extract color feature information, which may include the color features of each culture chamber 114. For example, Figure 8 In the test liquid image at 0 hours, the identifiable color features are: all culture chambers 114 are purple; in the test liquid image at 9 hours, the identifiable color features are: some culture chambers 114 are pink (culture chambers 114 that were originally purple turn pink), and the remaining culture chambers 114 are purple; while in the test liquid image at 11 hours, the identifiable color features are: some culture chambers 114 are purple, some culture chambers 114 are pink (culture chambers 114 that were originally purple turn pink), and some culture chambers 114 are white (culture chambers 114 that were originally pink turn white).

[0061] The preset image recognition model can be trained based on a neural network model. For example, it can be trained on a historical dataset containing multiple historical monitoring samples, each associated with a set of recognition features (corresponding to color feature information). Then, the historical monitoring samples are input into the neural network model for training, enabling the model to recognize color feature information. By calculating the loss generated during training, the convergence of the neural network model is evaluated, and if convergence is achieved, this model is identified as the preset image recognition model. This preset image recognition model can then be used to extract color feature information from images of the test liquid.

[0062] S320. Obtain colorimetric change information associated with the indicator in the test solution; the colorimetric change information refers to the color change information displayed by the microorganism after mixing with the indicator during a preset culture stage. That is, the colorimetric change information can characterize the color changes that occur in different microorganisms after mixing with the indicator during a preset culture stage in their incubation process. For example, for... Figure 8For the test solution containing microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis), the preset incubation period can be 9-12 hours. During this period, the corresponding color change information is as follows: Since the test solution in culture chamber 114 contains microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis), during the preset incubation period, firstly, at least a portion of the droplets in culture chamber 114 will change from purple (azuron) to pink (halogen), at which point the detected droplet color in the culture chamber will be a mixture of purple and pink; next, a portion of the droplets in culture chamber 114 will again change from purple (azuron) to pink (halogen), and at least a portion of the droplets in culture chamber 114 will change from pink (halogen) to white (dihydrohalogen), at which point the detected droplet color in the culture chamber will be a mixture of purple, pink, and white. Understandably, if Figure 8 Since there are no microorganisms in the test solution, the test solution will not change color under the influence of the indicator. At this time, the color change information corresponding to the preset culture stage is: throughout the preset culture stage, the color of all droplets in the culture chamber 114 will continue to show purple (azure).

[0063] S330. The microbial monitoring result is determined based on the color feature information and the color change information. In the culture chamber 114, microbial metabolites rapidly accumulate and act on the zirconia, resulting in higher contrast and more significant changes in the color reaction compared to traditional methods, thus improving detection sensitivity and enabling accurate detection of trace or low-metabolic-activity microorganisms. Figure 8 Taking the culture process of the test solution containing microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis) as an example, the preset culture stage in the culture chamber 114 is 9-12 hours. During this preset culture stage, due to the presence of microorganisms (Bacillus subtilis) in some culture chambers 114 of the microcavity array chip 110, the color of some droplets changes from purple azure to pink halogen, and then from pink halogen to white dihydrohalogen. At this time (within 9-12 hours), one or more color feature information such as purple, pink, and white can be extracted from the image of the test solution according to the above step S320. Therefore, the microbial monitoring result can be determined as the presence of bacteria (microorganisms) or the absence of bacteria (microorganisms) in the test solution based on the change of color feature information in this part of the culture chamber 114. The above scheme in this utility model can realize rapid detection and analysis.

[0064] In this embodiment, the multiple culture chambers 114 in the microcavity array chip 110 can achieve sample discretization, thereby enabling miniaturized processing of microbial samples. Each culture chamber 114 is an independent reaction unit, dispersing microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi into each culture chamber 114 for growth. This facilitates the enrichment of the microorganisms themselves and their metabolites, significantly shortening the incubation time required for signal detection, thus achieving rapid detection and analysis. Furthermore, zirconia is sensitive to microbial metabolism; it is reduced and changes color during microbial growth and metabolism.

[0065] In one embodiment, step S330, determining the microbial monitoring result based on the color feature information and the color change information, includes:

[0066] S331. When a color change corresponding to the color change information occurs during the preset culture stage based on the first color feature information, the microbial monitoring result is determined to be that there are microorganisms in the test solution; the first color feature information refers to the color feature information corresponding to the test solution image collected within the culture time range corresponding to the preset culture stage.

[0067] That is, in this embodiment, the calculation can start from the start time of cultivation and continue until the cultivation duration range corresponding to the preset cultivation stage (e.g., Figure 8 Within the corresponding 9-12 hours, images of the test solution are collected. These images are then used as the basis for determining the microbial monitoring results. Specifically, the color feature information corresponding to the images of the test solution collected within the culture time range is set as the first color feature information. Based on this first color feature information, it is determined whether a color change corresponding to the color change information occurs within the preset culture stage (for example, in the initial images of the test solution, all culture chambers 114 are purple; in subsequent images, culture chambers 114 appear purple and pink respectively, indicating that some culture chambers 114 have changed from purple to pink; and in later images, the colors change further). Culture chambers 114 appeared in purple, pink, and white respectively (some culture chambers 114 changed from purple to pink, and some culture chambers 114 changed from pink to white). If a color change corresponding to the color change information occurred, it indicates that the microbial monitoring result is that there are bacteria in the test solution. If, according to the first color feature information, it is determined that no color change corresponding to the color change information occurred during the preset culture stage (for example, all culture chambers 114 in all test solution images collected within the culture time range remain purple), then it can be determined that the microbial monitoring result is that the test solution is sterile, thus concluding that the sample solution corresponding to the test solution is free of microorganisms and is a qualified sample solution.

[0068] In a further embodiment, after determining that the microbial monitoring result indicates the presence of bacteria in the test solution, the process includes:

[0069] When the color change corresponding to the color change information is determined to be continuous based on the second color feature information, the microbial monitoring result is confirmed to be correct. The second color feature information refers to the color feature information corresponding to the test liquid image collected within a preset time period after the preset culture stage. That is, to ensure the accuracy of the results, the microbial monitoring result can be further verified. At this time, it is necessary to count whether the number of culture chambers 114 with color changes in the test liquid image within the preset time period increases. When the number of culture chambers 114 with color changes increases, it indicates that the color change is continuous, and the microbial monitoring result can be confirmed to be correct. If the number of culture chambers 114 with color changes remains unchanged, it indicates that the color change has stopped. At this time, it is necessary to indicate that the microbial monitoring result is abnormal and perform a manual inspection.

[0070] Similarly, after confirming that the microbial monitoring result indicates sterility in the test solution, the result can be further verified. In this case, the second color feature information can be used to determine whether a color change corresponding to the color change information occurs within a preset time period after the preset incubation stage. If a color change corresponding to the color change information occurs, it can also be confirmed that the microbial monitoring result indicates the presence of bacteria in the test solution. If no color change corresponding to the color change information occurs within the preset time period after the preset incubation stage, the microbial monitoring result is verified as correct (sterile in the test solution), thus concluding that the sample solution corresponding to the test solution is free of microorganisms and is a qualified sample solution.

[0071] In one embodiment, the test solution consists of Bacillus subtilis (culture medium is tryptone soybean broth) and resazu indicator.

[0072] In step S310, the monitoring device 200 periodically or in real-time acquires images of the test liquid in the culture chamber 114, such as... Figure 8 As shown. By Figure 8 It can be seen that after Bacillus subtilis was incubated in droplets for 9 hours, the color of the droplets in some culture chambers 114 of the microcavity array chip 110 changed from purple azuril to pink dihydrohalogen. As the incubation time was further extended to 11 hours, the number of culture chambers 114 showing pink gradually increased, and during this process, the previously pink droplets gradually changed color back to white dihydrohalogen. As the incubation time was further extended to 12 hours, the number of culture chambers 114 showing white gradually increased. In contrast, the droplet color in culture chambers 114 without Bacillus subtilis remained unchanged as purple throughout.

[0073] It should be understood that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of this utility model embodiment.

[0074] The above are merely embodiments of the microbial culture device and microbial monitoring system of this utility model, and are not intended to limit this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A microbial culture device, characterized in that, The device includes a microcavity array chip and a breathable membrane; the microcavity array chip is provided with an inlet, a sealing cavity, multiple microchannels, and multiple culture chambers, the sealing cavity being connected to the inlet; the inlet end of each microchannel is spaced around the sealing cavity, and the outlet end of each microchannel extends toward the end away from the sealing cavity; each culture chamber is connected to the outlet end of at least one microchannel. Each of the culture chambers is provided with a vent, and the vent membrane is connected to the microcavity array chip and covers all the vents.

2. The microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the vent and the sample inlet are located on the top surface of the microcavity array chip, and multiple vents are arranged at intervals around the sample inlet.

3. The microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealed cavity is provided with multiple flow dividers; Multiple flow dividers are arranged at intervals around the inlet to divide the sealed cavity into flow divider channels between any two adjacent flow dividers and flow divider cavities between the flow dividers and the inlet end of the microchannel; The inlet of the diversion channel is connected to the sample inlet, and the outlet of the diversion channel is connected to the inlet of the microchannel through the diversion cavity.

4. The microbial culture device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the shunt channel gradually increases from the injection port toward a direction away from the injection port.

5. The microbial culture device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flow divider cavity is arranged in a ring shape, and all the flow divider components are located within the ring-shaped flow divider cavity.

6. The microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcavity array chip is made of at least one of polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate, cyclic olefin copolymer, or cyclic olefin polymer; and / or The pore size of the breathable membrane is 0.1μm-0.3μm.

7. The microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple culture chambers have the same volume.

8. The microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple culture chambers are arranged at intervals around the inlet; and / or The culture chamber is hexagonal, circular, or square.

9. A microbial monitoring system, characterized in that, It includes a controller, a monitoring device, and at least one microbial culture device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; both the monitoring device and the microbial culture device are communicatively connected to the controller.

10. The microbial monitoring system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The microbial monitoring system also includes a three-way connector; the first end of the three-way connector is connected to the sample inlet, the second end of the three-way connector is connected to the sample container, and the third end of the three-way connector is connected to the sealing oil container.

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