Adhesive Masked Nutrient Layer for Microbial Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current culture devices for growing and detecting microorganisms, such as PETRIFILM plates, face challenges in efficiently supporting microbial growth and detection, particularly in maintaining nutrient availability and preventing contamination during sample introduction.

Innovation Solution

The development of devices with a substrate coated with a substantially dry microbial growth nutrient composition, an adhesive composition, and a cold-water-soluble hydrogel-forming composition, where the nutrients are protected from washing off and remain available for microorganism consumption, and a water-proof pouch with a porous membrane filter to separate and detect microorganisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nutrients are exposed on the surface for microbial growth, then microbial growth is supported, but nutrients can be washed off during sample introduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial growth supportVSAvoidnutrient loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adhesive composition as an intermediary layer between the nutrient composition and the hydrogel-forming composition. This adhesive layer prevents direct contact between water-soluble nutrients and water, eliminating nutrient loss during sample introduction while still allowing microbial growth. The adhesive acts as a mediator that resolves the contradiction by protecting nutrients without inhibiting microbial access to them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin film adhesive composition that covers the nutrient layer. This thin film is sufficient to prevent water penetration and nutrient washing off, yet thin enough to allow microbial colonies to form and be detected through it. The flexible thin film structure resolves the contradiction by providing protection without creating a barrier to microbial growth and detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a membrane filter is used to separate microorganisms, then contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the hydrogel-forming composition serve multiple functions: it acts as a structural base layer, provides contamination prevention through its water-insoluble nature, and serves as the detection surface for microbial colonies. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate membrane filters and other protective components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the membrane filter component from the device structure. Instead of using a separate filter layer, the patent relies on the inherent properties of the hydrogel-forming composition and adhesive layer to prevent contamination. This extraction of unnecessary components simplifies the device structure while maintaining the essential contamination prevention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

These devices enable simple and rapid detection of microorganisms by ensuring nutrient availability and preventing contamination, facilitating effective microbial growth and enumeration.

Implementation Method 1

a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the first adhesive composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel formation: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

The membrane filter permits passage of aqueous liquids from the first compartment to the second compartment and prevents passage of particles of a predetermined size from the first compartment to the second compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a first adhesive composition adhered to the first microbial growth nutrient composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11408023B2Microbial detection devices including adhesive masked nutrients and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 NEOGEN FOOD SAFETY US HOLDCO CORP

AI summary

Devices for microbial detection of microorganisms are provided including a body member including a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The device further includes a substantially dry, first microbial growth nutrient composition disposed on a portion of the first major surface, a first adhesive composition adhered to the first microbial growth nutrient composition, and a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the first adhesive composition. The device also includes a cover sheet attached to the body member, where the cover sheet includes a first major surface facing the body member. Devices including a water-proof pouch are also provided. Methods for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample are additionally provided, using the devices.