Biofilm Monitoring Device Using Shadow Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring biofilm formation are costly, require specialized equipment, and involve separate reagents, making real-time monitoring challenging and unsuitable for continuous observation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a water tank, surface-treated monitoring substrate, and a CMOS image sensor that captures shadow images of biofilms, eliminating the need for additional reagents and using low-cost, automated image processing to analyze biofilm formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods such as ELISA or photospectrometry are used to measure biofilm formation, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly due to requiring specialized equipment and separate reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate reagents (dyes, enzymes) from the measurement system. By using shadow image capture instead of chemical staining methods, the system removes the reagent dependency while maintaining measurement capability through optical shadow detection of biofilm structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a shadow image copy of the biofilm structure rather than directly measuring biochemical properties. The shadow image serves as a visual replica that captures biofilm formation state without requiring chemical interaction, enabling measurement through simple image processing
2Measurement precision
If separate reagents are used to mark cells for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the method becomes unsuitable for real-time monitoring due to requiring additional materials and sample preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the biofilm sample to serve itself for measurement without external reagent intervention. The natural light-absorbing properties of the biofilm structure are utilized directly, allowing the sample to provide its own measurement signal through shadow image formation without requiring external marking or staining
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the reagent addition step from the measurement process entirely. By relying on the intrinsic optical properties of the biofilm and shadow image capture, the system eliminates the need for separate reagents, enabling continuous and real-time monitoring of biofilm formation
3Measurement precision
If high-priced exclusive equipment such as ELISA readers or photospectrometers are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, specialized measurement equipment with inexpensive, commercially available components such as CMOS image sensors and standard light sources. This substitution dramatically reduces device cost while maintaining sufficient measurement precision through digital image processing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses shadow image copying as a measurement approach that can be implemented with simple optical components rather than expensive specialized equipment. The shadow image serves as a measurable representation that can be captured by low-cost image sensors and analyzed through software processing
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
Enables continuous, real-time monitoring of biofilm formation without additional reagents, reducing costs and measurement errors, and allowing for analysis using simple, low-priced devices like CMOS image sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting module located above the monitoring substrate to emit light in the direction of the monitoring substrate
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor unit disposed under the monitoring substrate to capture a shadow image of the biofilm, formed on the monitoring substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for monitoring a biofilm, which can monitor a formation state of the biofilm by using a biofilm shadow image. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device for monitoring a biofilm can comprise: a water tank for storing water; a monitoring substrate arranged inside the water tank and surface-treated so as to accelerate the biofilm formation; a light-emitting module located at an upper portion of the monitoring substrate so as to emit light in a monitoring substrate direction; and an image sensor unit arranged below the monitoring substrate so as to capture a shadow image of the biofilm, which is formed on the monitoring substrate.