Device for collecting and analyzing biological material such as Ostreopsis algae in liquid medium.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for collecting biological material in a liquid medium and for analyzing this biological material (M), the biological material comprising at least algae, comprising: A housing (1, 2), A processing and control unit (CU), Means for collecting the biological material mounted on said housing, An analysis chamber (30) arranged inside the housing, comprising means for analyzing the collected biological material, A power supply (S), The collection means comprising a motorized device integrated into said housing and carrying at least one collection element (100, 200) for said biological material (M), The analysis means comprising at least one biological sensor (300), said sensor (300) being controlled by the processing and control unit (CU) to detect the presence of said target species in said biological material. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for collecting and analyzing biological material such as Ostreopsis algae in liquid medium. Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for collecting biological material in a liquid medium and for analyzing this biological material, the biological material comprising at least algae. Among the algae to be collected and analyzed, Ostreopsis ovata may be included. State of the art

[0002] The proliferation of Ostreopsis ovata algae (hereinafter referred to as Ostreopsis) has recently been observed in the marine environment. These algae, embedded in a mucilaginous extracellular matrix, can be dispersed in the water and on the sea surface, and then released as aerosols by waves and wind. Thus, a toxic mixture is transported into the atmosphere and can cause acute poisoning in humans and associated respiratory illnesses, as has already been reported on several occasions.

[0003] It is therefore essential to have means of continuously monitoring the presence of this biological material in the marine environment. Currently, this monitoring is carried out by taking samples from the marine environment, which are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. This process is lengthy, costly, and does not allow for real-time monitoring.

[0004] Autonomous solutions exist for analyzing the presence of algae in a liquid medium. Such solutions are described, for example, in patent applications CN108279225, CN217717729 and KR10-2018-0003757. These solutions make it possible, in particular, to detect the presence of green algae by implementing optical means.

[0005] However, these solutions are not necessarily suitable, particularly for the collection and analysis of biological material such as Ostreopsis algae.

[0006] The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a device adapted to the collection and in situ analysis of biological material such as, for example, Ostreopsis type algae. Description of the invention

[0007] This objective is achieved by a device for collecting biological material in a liquid medium and analyzing this biological material, the biological material comprising at least algae, the device comprising: - A case, - A processing and control unit, - Means for collecting biological material mounted on said casing - An analysis chamber arranged inside the casing, including means for analyzing the collected biological material, - A source of electrical power, - The collection means comprising a motorized device integrated into said housing and carrying at least one collection element for said biological material, the motorized device being controlled by the processing and control unit to take at least two distinct states, a first state in which it places said collection element in contact with the liquid medium and a second state in which it places the collection element opposite the analysis chamber for recovery of the biological material, - The analytical means comprising at least one biological sensor, said sensor being controlled by the processing and control unit to detect the presence of said target species in said biological material.

[0008] According to one particular feature, the collection element comprises a part made of a hydrophilic material.

[0009] According to another feature, the sensor comprises one or more functionalized surfaces, each surface being functionalized to capture a target species of biological material.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment, the motorized device comprises an articulated arm controlled by a motor and carrying at its end said collection element.

[0011] According to another particular embodiment, the motorized device comprises a conveyor that can be rotated by a motor and carries a conveying surface on which said collection element is placed.

[0012] According to another feature, the device includes means for releasing the biological material outside the collection element, controlled by the processing and control unit to promote the detachment of the biological material towards the inside of the analysis chamber.

[0013] According to another feature, the device includes means of communication controlled by the processing and control unit.

[0014] According to another feature, the means of communication are of the wireless type and controlled by the processing and command unit to send measurement data to a remote storage / processing system.

[0015] According to another feature, the device includes means for lysing the target species present in the collected biological material.

[0016] According to another feature, the analysis chamber includes a receptacle that can be rotated between two positions and is arranged opposite the collection element when it is in its second state.

[0017] According to another feature, the device includes geolocation means configured to determine geolocation data of the device.

[0018] According to another feature, the processing and control unit is configured to associate said geolocation data with time periods during which the collection means are in said first state. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other features and advantages will become apparent in the detailed description that follows, in connection with the attached figures listed below: - Fig. 1 schematically represents the collection and analysis device of the invention according to a first embodiment, in several operating states (A, B, C); - Fig. 2 schematically represents the collection and analysis device of the invention according to a second embodiment, in several operating states (A, B, C);

[0020] In the attached figures, the references remain identical for both embodiments insofar as the characteristics are identical.

[0021] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0022] The invention relates to a device for collecting biological material in a liquid medium, more particularly in a marine environment, and for analyzing the collected biological material. The device aims to detect the presence of target species in the collected biological material, such as algae known as Ostreopsis ovata. As mentioned above, these algae are capable of releasing harmful toxins.

[0023] With reference to [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 2], the device of the invention has several entities. It mainly comprises a housing 1, 2 intended to be positioned in the liquid medium. It is advantageously kept immersed in said monitored liquid medium.

[0024] The device further comprises: - A processing and control unit (UC), - Means of collecting 10, 20 of biological material M mounted on said casing 1, 2, - An analysis chamber 30 arranged inside housing 1, 2 for analyzing the collected biological material M, - Means of releasing biological material 11.21 outside the collection area, - 31 means of communication controlled by the processing and control unit (UC), - A power supply S housed in the casing, allowing the device to be self-contained.

[0025] More specifically, the processing and control unit CU is housed in the casing 1, 2 of the device. It is intended to control the various means of the device, including the communication means 31, the biological material collection means 10, 20, the analysis means present in the analysis chamber 30, and optionally the biological material release means 11, 21. The processing and control unit CU is configured to execute instructions adapted to the control of the various means, possibly according to a predetermined collection and analysis sequence.

[0026] The processing and control unit UC is advantageously configured to store the measurement data D, send them to remote storage / processing means 4, via communication means 31, and control the periodicity of the measurements.

[0027] The means for collecting the biological material M 10, 20 comprise at least one collection element 100, 200 including a collection surface intended to be brought into contact with the liquid medium. This collection element 100, 200 may, for example, be composed of a part made of a hydrophilic material such as a fabric or equivalent, arranged to capture the biological material M present in the liquid medium.

[0028] The collection means comprise a motorized device, controlled by the processing and control unit UC and arranged to carry said collection element and arrange it between two distinct states: - A first collection state in which said collection element 100, 200 is in contact with the liquid medium for the collection of biological material M (state A in figures 1 and 2); - A second state in which the collection element 100, 200 is arranged opposite an inlet leading to the analysis chamber 30 to detach the biological material M from the collection element 100, to lead it into the analysis chamber 30 (state B in figures 1 and 2);

[0029] The motorized device can also be controlled to place the collection element 100, 200 into other states, for example a storage / standby state and a cleaning state.

[0030] According to the embodiment in [Fig. 1], the motorized device may include an arm 101 actuated by a motor 102 controlled by the processing and control unit UC. The arm 101 is set in motion by the motor 102 to assume each of the states defined above.

[0031] In the first collection state (A), a hatch 12 is opened and the arm 101 is deployed outwards from the housing 1 to position the collection element 100 in contact with the liquid medium.

[0032] In the second state (B), the arm 101 is retracted and housed inside the casing 1, closed by the hatch 12. The collection element is brought back opposite the opening leading to the analysis chamber.

[0033] According to the alternative embodiment of [Fig.2], the motorized device comprises a conveyor 201 carrying on its conveying surface said collection element 200 which is actuated in rotation by a motor 202. The conveyor 201 is actuated in rotation by said motor controlled by the processing and control unit UC, to take said states defined above.

[0034] In the first collection state (A), the conveyor is controlled to bring the collection element 200 into contact with the liquid medium in order to capture the biological material M.

[0035] In the second state (B), the conveyor is driven in rotation by the motor 202 to put the collection element 200 opposite the opening leading to the analysis chamber 30.

[0036] The device may include means 11, 21 for releasing the biological material M collected on the collection element 100, 200. These release means 11, 21 are controlled by the processing and control unit UC when the motorized device is in the second state. In both embodiments, these may be mechanical means such as vibrating or scraper-type means, piezoelectric or electromagnetic actuators, controlled to promote the detachment of the biological material M towards the analysis chamber 30. In the second embodiment, it may also involve actuating the roller at a given speed to promote the detachment of the biological material M towards the analysis chamber.

[0037] The analysis chamber 30 is intended to collect the biological material M to be analyzed and controlled to generate measurement data D. The measurement data D collected can be analyzed directly in the device by the processing and control unit UC or remotely after transmission of the data to remote storage / processing means 4, via the communication means 31 of the device.

[0038] The analysis chamber 30 consists of an advantageously sealed enclosure, comprising an opening mechanism capable of receiving the sample and transferring it into the interior of the analysis chamber 30 in a sealed manner, without exposing the interior of the analysis chamber to risks of contamination. This opening mechanism may include a rotating receptacle 300, controlled between two positions by the processing and control unit UC. In a first position, the Receptacle 300 is positioned opposite the collection element 100, 200, which is maintained in its second state (B), to receive the biological material M. The release means 11, 21 can be actuated to facilitate the detachment of the biological material M. Receptacle 300 is then rotated to its second position, into which it empties the collected contents into the analysis chamber 30. It is also possible to provide means for injecting air, fresh water, or any other material into the analysis chamber 30 to wash / dry the collected biological material M present in the analysis chamber 30.

[0039] The analysis chamber 30 comprises at least one sensor 301 adapted for the analysis and detection of target species present in the collected biological material. Each sensor positioned in the analysis chamber 30 may be of a biological type, for example, an electrical transduction sensor, operating by measuring changes in its conductivity properties after adsorption of a charged biological object onto its surface. It may be a graphene sensor (known as an SGFET) which can detect a biological target at very low concentrations. Each sensor may advantageously have one or more functionalized surfaces, each functionalized surface enabling the targeting of a specific biological species. It may also be other types of sensors, such as Love wave sensors, MZI, ISFET, 2D FET, diamond electrochemical sensors, etc.

[0040] In figures 1 and 2, state C corresponds to the operating mode of the device during analysis of the biological material M present in the analysis chamber 30. The measurement data D generated by each sensor 301 present in the analysis chamber 30 are collected by the processing and control unit UC and possibly transmitted to a remote storage / processing system 4.

[0041] It should be noted that the analysis chamber 30 may advantageously include means for lysing the collected biological material M. Lysis allows the target species to be broken down and to potentially release toxins for analysis. The lysis means may include means for injecting a chemical compound to perform chemical lysis of the biological material. The lysis means may also be mechanical, arranged within the analysis chamber to crush / grind the biological material in order to release the target species. Each sensor 301 present in the chamber may, for example, be chosen to be sensitive to a distinct target species released after lysis.

[0042] The device advantageously includes communication means 31. These are wireless communication means controlled by the processing and control unit UC to send the measurement data D to storage systems / 4 remote processing. The 31 wireless communication methods can operate according to a suitable communication protocol (Wifi, 5G, LoRa...).

[0043] The device may include geolocation means 32, intended to indicate the precise position of the device. The processing and control unit (CU) is advantageously configured to store the device's geographic position in relation to the time period of the collection. This data may also be available and transmitted. Indeed, in the event of detection of target species, it is essential to be able to know the location where the collection took place.

[0044] The device includes a power supply S. It consists of one or more batteries. It may also include a renewable energy source (solar panel, wind turbine, etc.). The power supply S is intended to power the various components of the device: - The processing and control unit (UC), - The motorized device (motor 102, 202) of the collection means, - Means of releasing 11, 21 the collected biological material M, - The analysis methods (sensor 301), - Means of communication 31, - Geolocation methods 32.

[0045] The invention thus offers numerous advantages, including: - An architecture adapted for the collection of biological material in a liquid medium; - Autonomous operation, thanks to an on-board processing and control unit and power supply, allowing results to be obtained in situ, without going through a laboratory; - An architecture employing a collection element adapted to the capture of biological material such as Ostreopsis algae;

Claims

Demands

1. A device for collecting biological material in a liquid medium and for analyzing this biological material (M), the biological material comprising at least algae, the device comprising: - A housing (1, 2), - A processing and control unit (UC), - Means for collecting the biological material mounted on said housing, - An analysis chamber (30) arranged inside the housing, comprising means for analyzing the collected biological material, - A power supply (S), - Characterized in that: - The collection means comprise a motorized device integrated into said housing and carrying at least one collection element (100, 200) for said biological material (M), the motorized device being controlled by the processing and control unit (UC) to assume at least two distinct states, a first state in which it places said collection element (100,200) in contact with the liquid medium and a second state in which it places the collection element opposite the analysis chamber (30) for recovery of the biological material, - The analytical means comprise at least one biological type sensor (300), said sensor (300) being controlled by the processing and control unit (CU) to detect the presence of said target species in said biological material.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the collection element (100, 200) comprises a part made of a hydrophilic type material.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor comprises one or more functionalized surfaces, each surface being functionalized to capture a target species of biological material.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motorized device comprises an articulated arm (101) controlled by a motor (102) and carrying at its end said collection element (100).

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motorized device comprises a conveyor (201) actuable in rotation by a motor (202) and carrying a conveying surface on which said collection element (200) is placed.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device includes means for releasing (11, 21) the biological material out of the collection element (100, 200), controlled by the processing and control unit (CU) to promote the detachment of the biological material into the analysis chamber (30).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises communication means (31) controlled by the processing and control unit (CU).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the communication means (31) are of the wireless type and controlled by the processing and control unit (CU) to send measurement data (D) to a remote storage / processing system (4).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises means for lysing the target species present in the biological material (M) collected.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the analysis chamber comprises a receptacle (300) actuable in rotation between two positions and arranged opposite the collection element (100, 200) when it is in its second state.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises geolocation means (32) configured to determine geolocation data of the device.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the processing and control unit (CU) is configured to associate said geolocation data with time periods during which the collection means are in said first state.

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