Automated Cartridge Analysis Instrument for Rapid Pathogen Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting infections and determining antimicrobial therapy are time-consuming, leading to suboptimal treatments and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, as they require days to detect infections, identify pathogens, and determine effective therapies.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods for rapid identification of infections and targeted therapy using single molecule and single cell counting through non-magnified digital imaging, enabling automated testing in a single instrument with pre-loaded cartridges, reducing specimen preparation and delivering results in hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional microbiological culture methods are used to detect infections and identify pathogens, then accurate pathogen identification can be achieved, but the testing process takes two to five days which delays treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The testing process is segmented into distinct functional modules within the automated instrument: sample processing, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, detection, and data analysis. Each module operates independently and simultaneously, enabling parallel processing of multiple samples and reducing overall testing time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary nucleic acid extraction and preparation steps automatically before the main detection process. By pre-processing samples and preparing reagents in advance within the automated system, the actual diagnostic testing can proceed rapidly without manual intervention delays, reducing the overall two to five day timeline to a matter of hours.
2Reliability
If conventional culture methods are used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility, then accurate therapy selection is possible, but the process requires days of incubation and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical culture-based susceptibility testing with molecular detection methods. By detecting pathogen-specific nucleic acid sequences and antimicrobial resistance genes directly from clinical samples using automated PCR and sequencing, the system eliminates the need for days-long incubation periods while maintaining reliable therapy selection guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing parameters are fundamentally changed from measuring microbial growth over days (culture methods) to detecting molecular signatures in hours (molecular methods). The system measures nucleic acid concentration, sequence variation, and gene expression levels instead of colony formation, enabling rapid antimicrobial susceptibility determination with high reliability.
3Loss of time
If rapid diagnostic methods are implemented, then treatment time is reduced, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated instrument is designed as a universal platform that performs multiple diagnostic functions: pathogen detection, identification, quantification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. By integrating nucleic acid extraction, amplification, detection, and analysis modules into a single system, the instrument reduces diagnostic delay while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated sample processing, reagent dispensing, data analysis, and result interpretation capabilities. The instrument performs quality control checks, identifies pathogens based on sequence data, and generates therapy recommendations without requiring extensive manual intervention or specialized operator expertise, thereby reducing diagnostic time while containing operational complexity.
4Productivity
If automated testing systems are used, then diagnostic accuracy and speed are improved, but the cost of the instrument and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple previously separate diagnostic functions into a single integrated platform: sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, PCR amplification, sequencing detection, and data analysis. By combining these functions, the system achieves high diagnostic throughput and accuracy while reducing the need for multiple separate instruments, specialized facilities, and extensive manual labor, thereby managing operational costs despite the advanced technology.
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 rapid identification of pathogens and determination of effective therapies in hours, reducing morbidity, mortality, and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, while minimizing healthcare costs and resource utilization.
Implementation Method 1
single molecule and single cell counting through non-magnified digital imaging
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention provides multi-function instruments for automatically and simultaneously carrying out a variety of tests including identification of targets in specimens and antimicrobial susceptibility testing thereof. Application-specific cartridges are pre-loaded with all required reagents and allow for tests to be performed in a single testing device with no specimen preparation to, for example, rapidly detect infections, identify infectious pathogens, and analyze their susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. Instruments include various stations for carrying out test steps that can be randomly accessed in any order dictated by the computer- controlled instrument. A carousel stores and incubates cartridges and, with a mechanical conveyor arm, transfers the cartridges between the required stations to carry out the tests. A plurality of different tests may be performed on a plurality of targets within an instrument, and the plurality of targets may be disposed in a single cartridge.