Automated Microbial Detection Apparatus with Modular Incubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting microbial agents in biological samples, such as blood culture bottles, are inefficient and time-consuming, leading to delayed clinical reporting and increased laboratory labor and errors.
Innovation Solution
An automated detection system that includes a housing with an incubation chamber, agitation assembly, and detection units to rapidly identify microbial growth in specimen containers, featuring an automated loading mechanism, transfer mechanism, and container management system for improved workflow and ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual detection and processing methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and detection speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: automated loading mechanism, incubation chamber, detection units with optical sensors, and result reporting system. Each module operates independently but coordinates through centralized control, enabling high-speed automated detection while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automated sample loading, incubation monitoring, detection, and result reporting without manual intervention. The automated loading mechanism independently loads specimens, the detection units autonomously monitor for microbial growth, and the system automatically generates and transmits reports, eliminating labor-intensive manual operations.
2Productivity
If automated detection systems are implemented, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated loading mechanism is designed to accommodate multiple specimen container types and configurations. The detection units can monitor various microbial growth indicators through different optical sensing modes. This multi-functionality allows a single system design to handle diverse clinical specimens, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary between various automated components (loading mechanism, incubation chamber, detection units, reporting system). This mediator coordinates operations, manages data flow, and synchronizes timing, enabling complex automated functions to operate harmoniously without requiring direct complex interconnections between all components.
3Loss of time
If rapid detection is achieved through automated systems, then detection time is reduced, but initial system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The incubation chamber maintains continuous monitoring of specimens throughout the incubation period. Detection units continuously scan for microbial growth indicators without interruption. The automated loading mechanism operates continuously to process specimens as they become available. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and manual intervention delays, achieving rapid detection while the standardized continuous-process design keeps system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Specimens are pre-loaded into the automated loading mechanism before incubation begins. The system is pre-configured with detection parameters and reporting protocols. Incubation conditions are pre-established in the chamber. These preliminary preparations eliminate setup time during actual detection, enabling rapid processing without requiring complex real-time adjustments or interventions.
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
The system reduces detection time, minimizes laboratory labor and errors, enhances sample tracking, and provides faster, clinically relevant results, improving overall efficiency and accuracy in microbial detection.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection unit in the incubator analyzes a colorimetric sensor incorporated into the bottle to detect whether microbial growth has occurred within the bottle
Implementation Method 2
one or more heating elements to provide a heated enclosure or incubation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A method and automated apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample is described herein. The apparatus may include one or more means for automated loading, automated transfer and/or automated unloading of a specimen container. The apparatus also includes a detection system for receiving a detection container, e.g., container or vial, containing a biological sample and culture media. The detection system may also include one or more heated sources, holding structures or racks, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent therein. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.