Colony Topography Imaging for Rapid Pathogen Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for bacterial species identification, such as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, are time-consuming and costly, limiting their accessibility and efficiency in clinical settings.

Innovation Solution

A novel method using advanced imaging techniques like white light interferometry and coherence scanning interferometry to generate topographical maps of biological specimens, combined with computer-implemented computational algorithms, for rapid and cost-effective pathogen identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is used for bacterial species identification, then identification accuracy is improved, but identification time increases due to required bacterial cultivation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoididentification time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs bacterial cultivation and growth in advance, then uses automated image analysis of the grown colonies to identify species characteristics. By preparing the bacterial samples beforehand and using image processing algorithms to analyze colony morphology, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming MALDI-TOF measurement steps while maintaining identification accuracy through preliminary growth and automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry devices are deployed, then pathogen identification capability is improved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen identification capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates digital copies of bacterial colonies through imaging and uses computational algorithms to analyze these copies instead of requiring physical MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. By capturing images of bacterial colonies and processing them through image analysis software, the system reproduces the identification function at a fraction of the cost of actual mass spectrometry equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, durable MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry devices with inexpensive, disposable imaging systems and computational analysis. Instead of investing in costly mass spectrometry hardware, the system uses affordable digital cameras or imaging devices combined with software algorithms to achieve the same identification capability at minimal cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If conventional pathogen identification methods are used, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but healthcare resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidhealthcare resource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from time-intensive mass spectrometry analysis to rapid image capture and computational processing. By transforming the identification process from physical/chemical analysis to digital image analysis, the system maintains diagnostic accuracy while dramatically improving throughput and reducing resource consumption per test.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and physical systems of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with an optical-digital system based on imaging and computational algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mass spectrometry hardware and replaces it with lighter, faster, and more resource-efficient image processing technology that achieves the same diagnostic goals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach significantly reduces identification time and cost, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis of infections by identifying pathogens in various biological samples.

Implementation Method 1

imaging at least a portion of the biological specimen to generate data indicative of a topography of the at least a portion of the biological specimen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterferometry: Interference

Implementation Method 2

imaging at least a portion of the biological specimen can comprise performing profilometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProfilometry: Scanning Probe Microscopy

Data Source

PatentUS12505550B2Rapid species identification via population topography

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of identifying one or more components in a biological material, the method comprising: providing a biological specimen, the biological specimen comprising one or more components; imaging at least a portion of the biological specimen to generate data indicative of a topography of the at least a portion of the biological specimen; and determining, using a machine learning algorithm, based at least in part on the data indicative of a topography of the at least a portion of the biological specimen, an identity of the one or more components of the biological specimen.