Microorganism Culture Sheet Adhesive Layer Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting and culturing microorganisms, such as the agar pour plate method and wipe-up test kits, face issues with contamination, low collection efficiency, and difficulties in culturing bacteria with flagella due to agar's properties, and require extensive handling and storage considerations.

Innovation Solution

A microorganism culture sheet with a dry culture layer and an adhesive layer on a cover sheet, where the adhesive layer is brought into contact with the test surface and a gelling solution is added to convert the dry culture layer into a gel for culturing, preventing contamination and improving visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an adhesive layer is formed on a cover sheet to collect microorganisms, then collection efficiency is improved, but the adhesive layer may trap air bubbles that reduce visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A release film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the adhesive layer and the culture medium. This release film prevents air bubbles from being trapped between the cover sheet and the culture medium during assembly, while still allowing the adhesive layer to effectively collect microorganisms. The release film is temporarily present during assembly and then removed or remains as a non-interfering layer, solving the visibility problem without compromising collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a hydrous agar medium is used to culture microorganisms, then culturing capability is improved, but moisture evaporation during long-term sampling reduces reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveculturing capabilityVSAvoidsampling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The culture medium is used in a dry powder form rather than as a hydrous agar medium. When the cover sheet with collected microorganisms is placed in the culture vessel, water is added to dissolve the powder and form the culture medium in situ. This phase transition from dry powder to hydrated medium eliminates moisture evaporation issues during storage and transport, while still providing excellent culturing capability when activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the cover sheet is made transparent to improve visibility, then detection capability is improved, but adhesive properties may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidadhesive property

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cover sheet structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a transparent substrate layer for visibility and detection, and a separate adhesive layer for microorganism collection. The adhesive layer can be applied as a coating on the transparent substrate or as a distinct layer that can be optimized independently. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other - transparency for detection and adhesive properties for collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If the culture vessel is designed to be compact for easy storage, then storage convenience is improved, but the volume for culture medium may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidculture medium volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The culture medium is prepared in advance as a concentrated dry powder formulation that requires minimal water to reconstitute. This preliminary preparation in dry form allows the culture vessel to remain compact for storage and transport, while still providing sufficient culture medium volume when activated. The powder form occupies minimal space, and the required water volume is small, enabling the vessel to maintain a compact design while supporting adequate microbial growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for high-efficiency collection and accurate detection of microorganisms with reduced contamination and improved visibility, enabling longer sampling periods without moisture evaporation issues, and is compact and convenient for storage.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer and a release film are laminated on the inner surface of the cover sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a gelling solution for the dry culture layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Data Source

PatentUS10563167B2Microorganism culture sheet

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 KIKKOMAN CORP

AI summary

Provided is a microorganism culture sheet having an excellent efficiency for collection of environmental microorganisms and a method for measuring the environmental microorganisms with an excellent collection efficiency. Provided is a microorganism culture sheet including a base sheet, a dry culture layer formed on the base sheet, and a cover sheet covering the dry culture layer, wherein an adhesive layer and a release film are laminated on the inner surface of the cover sheet. Because the environmental microorganisms are collected using the adhesive layer, an excellent collection efficiency is provided.