Automated Bacterial Load Detector Management System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing bacterial load detector devices, such as sedimentation plates, in protected chambers require manual intervention through gloves, which can lead to contamination and safety issues.

Innovation Solution

An automated apparatus and method for managing bacterial load detector devices, which includes a transport container, a housing slider, a support device, and an automatic operator device, allowing for the insertion, positioning, and removal of devices without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of sedimentation plates is performed through gloves, then the operator can insert and remove plates in the protected chamber, but contamination risk increases and safety issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveManual handling capabilityVSAvoidContamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the automatic operator device independently performs all plate handling tasks including insertion, positioning, lid removal, and extraction without any manual intervention through gloves, thereby eliminating the contamination risk associated with glove-based manual handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (operator hands through gloves) with an automated mechanical system consisting of an automatic operator device with gripping means that can autonomously manipulate plates and lids, substituting human-operated mechanical actions with machine-operated mechanical actions to eliminate contamination risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If automated management system is implemented, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveContamination risk reductionVSAvoidSystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operator device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform multiple operations including gripping plates, removing lids, positioning devices in predetermined zones, and extracting plates from the chamber, thereby consolidating multiple functions into a single automated system that manages complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the complexity of the automated system by receiving commands and coordinating the automatic operator device's actions, thereby separating the control logic from the mechanical execution and making the system more manageable despite its complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If manual positioning in predetermined zones is performed, then sterility monitoring accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSterility monitoring accuracyVSAvoidTime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operator device continuously performs plate handling operations without interruption, moving plates to predetermined zones and positioning them for sterility monitoring in an unbroken sequence, thereby eliminating the time losses associated with manual operation while maintaining the precision of predetermined zone positioning through programmed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If gloves are used for operator protection, then safety is improved, but contamination of plates during handling may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOperator safetyVSAvoidPlate contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic operator device performs all plate handling operations independently without requiring operator intervention through gloves, thereby eliminating the source of plate contamination (gloves) while the system itself operates within the protected chamber environment, ensuring both operator safety and plate sterility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the operator and gloves from the plate handling process entirely, removing the potential contamination source (gloves) from the sterile environment while maintaining operator safety through remote operation, thereby separating the operator's protective needs from the sterility requirements of the chamber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12280496B2Apparatus and method for the automated management of bacterial load detector devices

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 IMA IND MASCH AUTOMATICHE SPA

AI summary

An apparatus and method provide for automated management of bacterial load detector devices to be temporarily positioned inside a chamber, delimited by walls, at least one of the walls includes at least one access aperture on which a primary closing unit is installed, configured to allow access to an inside of the chamber while keeping an atmosphere of the chamber isolated and separated from an external environment. The apparatus comprises a transport container, containing an extractable housing slider on which one or more bacterial load detector devices are positioned, an extraction device configured to extract the housing slider from the transport container and make the housing slider available inside the chamber, and a support device disposed inside the chamber configured to stably position and support the housing slider.