Deep UV Pathogen Detection Using Fluorescence Spectral Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pathogen testing methods are complex, expensive, and slow, often requiring hours to weeks for results, which can lead to widespread contamination in water, food, and healthcare settings due to delayed detection and reporting.
Innovation Solution
A portable system using deep ultraviolet (UV) light to excite biological substances, allowing for real-time detection and differentiation of pathogens through semiconductor photodetectors that analyze deep UV emission data for unique spectral signatures, enabling quick and affordable pathogen identification and quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional pathogen testing methods (filtering, culturing, incubation, staining) are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time worsens significantly (24 hours to two weeks for results)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/biological testing processes (filtering, culturing, incubation, staining) with optical detection using deep UV excitation and fluorescence emission measurement. This substitution enables real-time pathogen detection without requiring time-consuming biological culturing processes, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and testing duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from biological growth-based detection to optical fluorescence-based detection. By measuring fluorescence emission spectra of pathogens under deep UV excitation, the system achieves rapid detection (seconds to minutes) while maintaining precision through spectral analysis, thus resolving the time-precision contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If complex laboratory testing processes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens (requiring well-equipped laboratories and scientists)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection platform that can identify and quantify multiple different pathogen types through their unique fluorescence spectral signatures. The system performs filtering, identification, and quantification functions in a single integrated device, eliminating the need for complex laboratory equipment and multiple specialized testing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex laboratory processes, isolating the key measurement (fluorescence emission) from the time-consuming preparatory steps (filtering, culturing, staining). This extraction enables pathogen detection to be performed with a simplified device that focuses only on the critical measurement aspect.
3Measurement precision
If traditional testing methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens (requiring scientists to perform multiple manual steps)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the detection system to automatically perform identification and quantification of pathogens based on their intrinsic fluorescence spectral characteristics. The system self-calibrates and provides results without requiring scientists to perform manual filtering, culturing, or staining operations, thus dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
4Device complexity
If delayed testing results are accepted, then device complexity is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors worsen (widespread contamination, product recalls, infections)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary detection of pathogen contamination before it spreads widely through water supplies, food production lines, or healthcare facilities. By providing real-time detection capability, the system allows for immediate intervention to prevent contamination spread, product recalls, and infections, thus reducing harmful factors despite increased device complexity.
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 rapid, cost-effective detection and quantification of pathogens in seconds, preventing contamination by providing real-time biological safety monitoring for water, food, and healthcare industries, complementing existing testing methods.
Implementation Method 1
pathogen in a medium auto-fluorescence when excited with ultraviolet light (e.g., deep ultraviolet light (deep UV))
Implementation Method 2
detecting emission from the excited biological substance via a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to detecting biological substances. In certain aspects, the invention is directed to a method directing one or more wavelengths of light within a deep ultraviolet (UV) spectrum into a medium to excite a biological substance in the medium, detect emission from the excited biological substance via a plurality of semiconductor photodetectors, and analyze the deep UV emission data for presence of a deep UV spectral signature indicative of the biological substance, wherein presence of the deep UV spectral signature indicates that the medium comprises a biological substance. The invention is also directed to identifying a pathogen in a medium comprising a pathogen and a non-pathogen biological substance.