Automated Microorganism Isolation and Analysis System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating and analyzing microorganisms are time-consuming and prone to contamination due to manual handling and multiple manipulations, leading to delayed antibiotic treatment adjustments and potentially inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that splits a sample into multiple small compartments, incubates, detects, and analyzes microorganisms, integrating these steps to reduce isolation and analysis time while minimizing contamination through automated handling and precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual handling and multiple manipulations are used in the isolation and analysis process, then the process can be carried out with simple equipment, but the time required increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manual operations (splitting, incubation, detection, and functional parameter determination) into a single integrated automated system. The system processes samples through multiple stages without manual intervention, merging what were previously separate manual steps into one continuous automated workflow, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining equipment accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs operations autonomously without requiring continuous manual handling. The system self-manages the complete workflow from sample introduction through final analysis, eliminating the need for operators to perform repetitive manipulations at each stage, thus reducing both time loss and contamination risk from human intervention.
2Device complexity
If manual handling and multiple manipulations are used in the isolation and analysis process, then the process can be carried out with simple equipment, but contamination occurs during manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs all operations autonomously within a closed system, eliminating human contact with samples during critical manipulation stages. The system self-manages sample processing, reagent addition, and measurement without operator intervention, thereby preventing contamination from manual handling while maintaining equipment simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sample processing workflow from the manual operation environment and transfers it to an automated system. By removing samples from manual handling zones and processing them within the automated system's controlled environment, contamination risks from operator contact are eliminated while the system maintains simplicity through standardized modular components.
3Loss of time
If automated system is used for splitting, incubation, detection and determination, then the time required is reduced and contamination is limited, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is divided into distinct functional modules: a splitting device that partitions samples, an incubation chamber for controlled growth, a detection system for monitoring, and an analysis unit for functional parameter determination. Each module performs a specific function independently, allowing the complex overall process to be managed through simpler, specialized components that can be optimized separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system integrates multiple functions into a single platform that can perform splitting, incubation, detection, and functional parameter determination. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate equipment for each operation, managing device complexity by consolidating functions while achieving rapid processing and contamination prevention through unified automated control.
4Reliability
If automated system is used for splitting, incubation, detection and determination, then contamination is limited, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sample processing from manual environments and transfers it to a closed automated system. Samples are introduced once and processed entirely within the automated platform, removing them from environments where contamination could occur. This extraction of the workflow into a controlled automated environment ensures result accuracy while managing complexity through standardized processing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs all operations autonomously within a closed environment, eliminating human contact with samples during critical manipulation stages. The system self-manages sample processing, reagent addition, and measurement without operator intervention, thereby preventing contamination from manual handling while maintaining equipment simplicity through modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
A process is provided for isolating and analyzing microorganisms contained in a sample by collecting a determined volume in a sample, the determined volume representing all or part of this sample, likely to contain at least one microorganism. The collected volume is then split up into a plurality of compartments having a culture medium, the volume of each compartment being smaller than 10 μL, each compartment being isolated from the other compartments and having no interface with the ambient atmosphere. At least one microorganism is incubated in the compartments for determined durations, and compartments are detected that contain at least one microorganism. The incubation may be extended after detecting compartments so that at least one microorganism having a defined quantity can be detected, and then the content of the detected compartments can be recovered. Finally, at least one functional parameter relative to a microorganism in the compartments is determined.