Bacterial Sensor Cover Spacing for Stable Dielectric Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bacterial inspection apparatuses using CMOS oscillator sensors face challenges in reliably detecting bacteria outside the sensor's detection region due to pressure application from a housing member, which affects detection values.
Innovation Solution
A bacterial inspection apparatus and method involving a container with a sensor at its bottom, a cover with specific gravity greater than the culture medium, and a spacer to support the cover non-contact with the sensor, forming a sealed space to restrict bacterial movement and enable accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a housing member is lowered into the reservoir to bring bacteria within the sensor's detection region, then bacterial detection reliability is improved, but the filter and sensor come into contact applying large non-uniform pressure affecting detection values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element between the housing member and the sensor. This spacer maintains a predetermined gap that prevents direct contact between the filter and sensor, thereby eliminating the harmful pressure while still allowing the housing member to be positioned low enough in the reservoir to bring bacteria within the sensor's detection region. The spacer acts as a mediator that separates the conflicting requirements of deep positioning versus non-contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer serves as a pre-established protective element that cushions against potential contact between the housing member and sensor. By designing the system with this predetermined gap structure in place before operation, the patent prevents the application of large non-uniform pressure to the sensor, thereby protecting measurement precision while maintaining the ability to achieve reliable bacterial detection.
2Device complexity
If the sensor detection region is limited, then device complexity is reduced, but bacteria outside the detection region cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the limited detection region by utilizing the vertical dimension (depth) of the reservoir. Instead of expanding the sensor's horizontal detection area, the housing member is lowered vertically into the reservoir to bring bacteria from deeper regions within the sensor's detection region. This dimensional approach maintains sensor simplicity while expanding the effective detection volume through vertical positioning.
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
Accurate and stable detection of bacterial states in a bacterial solution is achieved by preventing pressure on the sensor and minimizing bacterial movement, improving measurement reproducibility and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
an apparatus that detects the presence of bacteria in a bacterial solution by measuring the dielectric constant of the bacterial solution using a sensor, based on the principle that the dielectric constant of the bacterial solution changes as bacteria multiply within the bacterial solution
Implementation Method 2
the cover is formed of a material that has a specific gravity greater than the culture medium
Data Source
AI summary
A bacterial inspection apparatus 1 comprises one or more containers 2 for storing a bacterial solution 23 containing bacteria 7 and a culture medium, a sensor 22 provided at a bottom part 21 of each of the one or more containers 2 and having a detection region S for the bacteria 7 above a top surface thereof, a cover 32 for sealing the bacteria 7, and a spacer 26 for supporting the cover 32 in a non-contact state with the top surface of the sensor 22.