Bioaerosol Sampling Kit Using ATP Detection and Size Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring airborne bioaerosols and particulate matter are time-consuming and require cumbersome equipment, with results varying based on culture conditions and location, and do not allow for selective sampling of bacteria and fungi with different size ranges.
Innovation Solution
A kit is provided that includes a humidification unit, separation units for different size ranges, an ATP measurement unit, and a control unit to rapidly measure and calculate the relative proportion of bacterial and fungal particles per mass or volume, with interchangeable swabs for selective sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional culture methods are used to measure bioaerosol, then the measurement results are close to the actual number of suspended microbes, but the measurement process takes a lot of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional culture-based measurement system with an ATP bioluminescence detection system. Instead of using cultural methods that require incubation time, the invention uses chemical-biological ATP detection that provides rapid results within minutes, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and sampling time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from cultural growth indicators to ATP concentration detection. By measuring ATP levels directly through bioluminescence reactions, the system achieves both high measurement precision and rapid results, eliminating the time-consuming culture process while maintaining accuracy.
2Productivity
If a rotation drive unit is added to collect microbes on a collection plate, then microbes can be easily collected, but the equipment volume increases making it inconvenient to carry and move
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the rotation drive unit from the collection system. Instead of using a rotating collection plate that requires motorized actuation, the patent employs a static collection plate that relies on airflow dynamics to deposit microbes, thereby eliminating the bulky drive mechanism while maintaining collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection system is designed to function without external mechanical actuation. The airflow itself serves the dual purpose of transporting microbes to the collection plate and enabling the collection process, eliminating the need for separate drive units and reducing equipment volume.
3Ease of operation
If single-size collection is used, then the measurement process is simple, but it cannot separately collect bacteria and fungi which have different airborne size ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the collection system into multiple collection plates, each designed to capture specific size ranges of bioaerosols. By dividing the collection function across multiple specialized plates, the system can separately collect bacteria and fungi while maintaining operational simplicity through a standardized multi-plate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Each collection plate is optimized with local quality characteristics tailored to specific particle size ranges. The plates have different pore sizes, materials, or geometries that make them selectively suitable for capturing either bacteria or fungi, enabling adaptive sampling without complicating the overall operation.
4Reliability
If culture conditions are standardized, then measurement results are consistent, but the measurement process still takes a lot of time due to culture requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes the entire culture-based measurement system with an ATP detection system. This replacement eliminates the time-consuming culture process while maintaining result consistency through standardized ATP measurement protocols, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and time consumption.
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 kit shortens sampling time, enables selective sampling, and provides real-time data on airborne bioaerosols and particulate matter, facilitating swift response to biological threats by offering a bioaerosol monitoring platform with user-friendly data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a humidification unit provided to supply an aqueous solution containing a cell lysing agent toward the air flowing into the main body
Implementation Method 2
an ATP measurement unit provided to measure ATP in the airborne bioaerosol attached to a swab
Implementation Method 3
measuring a concentration of the bioaerosol may include measuring ATP in the airborne bioaerosol
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a measuring kit that is able to shorten sampling times of germs (bacteria, etc.) and molds (fungi, etc.) which differ from each other in airborne size range, allow selective sampling, and rapidly output relative proportions of bacterial and fungal particles per mass of particulate matter through calculation.