Electrical Conductivity Sensors for Rapid Infectious Agent Susceptibility Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting anti-infective resistance in infectious agents are costly, labor-intensive, and require days to produce results, often involving cumbersome equipment and manual interpretation, and cannot directly test patient bodily fluids, leading to inefficiencies and the development of multiple drug-resistant pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a fluid delivery device, filters with sequentially smaller pores, and sensors to assess the susceptibility of infectious agents to anti-infectives by monitoring electrical characteristics of solutions exposed to the agents, allowing for rapid detection of resistance without the need for extensive sample preparation or bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated inspection instruments are used to reduce clinician error, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical inspection instruments with simple electrical sensors that measure solution conductivity. This substitution of measurement methodology achieves accurate detection of infectious agents and anti-infective susceptibility while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for bulky optical equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified electrical measurement copy of the biological interaction between infectious agents and anti-infectives. Instead of directly observing microbial growth or optical changes, the system measures electrical conductivity changes that correlate with agent susceptibility, achieving accurate results through an indirect but simpler measurement approach.
2Measurement precision
If microbial culturing techniques are used to isolate infectious agents, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by directly exposing the infectious agent in the patient sample to anti-infective solutions before any detection step. The susceptibility determination is made by measuring electrical conductivity changes during this exposure, eliminating the need for time-consuming microbial culturing and isolation steps that traditionally precede susceptibility testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement signal (electrical conductivity change) directly from the interaction between the infectious agent and anti-infective solution, without requiring extraction or isolation of the microbial organism itself. This allows immediate susceptibility assessment while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If optical read-out methods are used for sample inspection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and use of energy increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive optical read-out systems with low-power electrical conductivity measurements. The simple electrical sensors require minimal energy to operate while providing accurate detection of infectious agent susceptibility, dramatically reducing power consumption compared to optical inspection instruments.
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 quick and effective detection of anti-infective resistance in infectious agents within bodily fluids, reducing the time to results and minimizing the risk of drug-resistant strains, thereby improving clinical decision-making.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensor exposed to the first solution sampled. The method can include monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensor exposed to the second solution sampled
Implementation Method 2
filters with sequentially smaller pores
Implementation Method 3
introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, systems and methods for detecting a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. A method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface to a first solution; exposing the second surface to a second solution, wherein the second surface comprises an anti-infective; sampling the first solution after exposing the first solution to the first surface; sampling the second solution after exposing the second solution to the second surface; monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensor exposed to the first solution sampled; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensor exposed to the second solution sampled; and comparing the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.