Dual-Signal Pathogen Detection Device Using Analog and Digital Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting industrial pathogens like Legionella and Listeria are time-consuming, require specialized equipment and personnel, and often provide qualitative or unreliable results, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A portable device that uses dual signal recording from a photographic camera and photodetector, allowing for two modes of operation: simultaneous detection of two pathogens using independent optical filters, and processing digital and analog signals to ensure accurate and robust detection, with a user-friendly interface for nonspecialized personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microbiological culture techniques are used for pathogen detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases excessively (up to 7 days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional microbiological culture methods with a molecular detection system using qPCR technology. The device substitutes manual culture techniques with automated thermal cycling and fluorescent detection, achieving rapid pathogen identification within hours rather than days while maintaining high detection accuracy through specific primer-probe interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameters by using fluorescent dyes and qPCR amplification conditions that enable rapid detection. The system monitors fluorescence intensity in real-time during amplification cycles, allowing detection within 1-3 hours compared to traditional 7-day culture periods, while maintaining sensitivity through optimized reaction conditions.
2Productivity
If molecular methods (qPCR) are used for pathogen detection, then detection speed and sensitivity are improved, but equipment complexity and personnel specialization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single portable device: sample processing, thermal cycling for qPCR, fluorescent detection, and data analysis are all combined in one unit. This consolidation reduces the need for separate specialized equipment and simplifies operation, allowing rapid detection without requiring complex laboratory infrastructure or highly specialized personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal applicability for detecting multiple pathogens using different primer-probe combinations. The system can detect various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites through a single platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and trained personnel for different detection methods.
3Ease of operation
If immunological tests with lateral flow strips are used, then operation simplicity is improved, but detection sensitivity and quantification capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection of lateral flow strips with automated fluorescent detection. The system uses a photodetector to measure fluorescence intensity objectively, eliminating subjective visual interpretation and providing quantitative results. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving detection sensitivity and enabling precise quantification of pathogen levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces fluorescent dyes as an intermediary between the immunological reaction and detection. The fluorescent probes bind to amplified pathogen DNA, providing a measurable signal that is both highly sensitive and objectively quantifiable. This intermediary enables the system to maintain ease of operation while achieving superior detection sensitivity compared to direct visual methods.
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, reliable, and quantitative detection of industrial pathogens, reducing analysis time to minutes and eliminating the need for specialized equipment or personnel, while allowing for versatile sample analysis and digital data sharing.
Implementation Method 1
another of analog nature coming from the photodetector
Implementation Method 2
using a certain optical filter for the detection reaction of each pathogen
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Device (1) for detecting a pathogen in a sample (2). The device (1) includes a first housing (10) for reactions with a illumination source and two compartments (4). In each compartment (4) a reaction tube (12) is fixed in a position illuminated by the illumination source. Each compartment (4) includes a photodetector for analogically detecting a portion of light signal reflected by the reaction tube (12). The device has a photographic camera (13) for simultaneously capturing a digital image of the two compartments (4) with the reaction tubes (12). There is furthermore a heater (17) for heating the reaction tubes (12). With a processing means, the analog information is compared with the digital information obtained from the image of each reaction tube (12) and with an expected value corresponding to a specific pathogen that indicates its presence in the sample.