Microorganism Viability Detection via Acoustic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the effectiveness of ballast water treatment systems are inaccurate, slow, and costly, particularly in field applications, and lack portability and viability determination for microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A microorganism evaluation system that includes a stimulation section to induce a motive response in microorganisms within a fluid flow, a flow normalizing section to isolate self-generated movement, and a viewing section with an optical system for image data acquisition, allowing for real-time monitoring of microorganism viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human examination under a microscope is used for monitoring microorganism treatment effectiveness, then measurement precision can be achieved, but productivity is low and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical inspection method (microscope examination by humans) with an acoustic field-based detection system. Acoustic waves interact with microorganisms to generate signals that can be detected and analyzed automatically, eliminating the need for manual microscopic examination while maintaining viability determination accuracy and significantly improving monitoring speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic self-assessment of microorganism viability through acoustic signal analysis. The microorganisms themselves interact with acoustic fields to produce detectable signals that reveal their viability status, eliminating the need for external human observers and accelerating the monitoring process without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Productivity
If flow cytometry systems are used for monitoring, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of viability detection from complex flow cytometry systems by using a simplified acoustic field-based approach. Only the necessary acoustic interaction and signal detection components are retained, while complex optical sorting, multiple laser beams, and sophisticated fluidics of flow cytometers are eliminated, resulting in a portable system that maintains high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs simple, inexpensive acoustic transducers and detectors instead of expensive, complex flow cytometry hardware. The detection mechanism uses readily available acoustic components that can be easily replaced or recalibrated, reducing overall system complexity and enabling portability while maintaining productivity for viability determination.
3Ease of operation
If conventional monitoring methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and speed are insufficient for effective treatment verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple visual inspection through microscopes with acoustic field-based detection that automatically provides precise viability information. The acoustic method inherently provides quantitative data about microorganism viability without requiring skilled operators, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving measurement precision and determination speed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, rapid, and cost-effective determination of microorganism viability in ballast water treatment systems, facilitating compliance and effective treatment monitoring in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and microorganisms therein is acquired via the optical system
Data Source
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AI summary
A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising a microorganism stimulation section comprising a means for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing through the microorganism stimulation section, and a viewing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and microorganisms therein is acquired via the optical system for analysis.