Filtration Device for Microorganism Capture and Lysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for detecting microbial contaminants in fluids are slow, require culturing, and often fail to detect 'infectious but not culturable' organisms, leading to potential oversight of pathogenic microorganisms.

Innovation Solution

A filtration device with a membrane and beads for capturing and lysing microorganisms, followed by a PCR-compatible lysis solution and bead beating to disrupt cells, allowing for rapid detection of nucleic acids using PCR assays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional culturing methods are used to detect microorganisms, then the detection can identify viable organisms through growth, but the process takes several days to weeks and may miss non-culturable pathogens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary concentration of microorganisms through filtration before detection, and prepares the sample in advance for rapid processing. The filtration step captures microorganisms from large volumes of liquid beforehand, so when PCR detection is needed, the concentrated sample is already ready, eliminating the need for time-consuming culturing steps while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the biological culturing system with a direct molecular detection system using PCR. Instead of relying on microbial growth in culture media over days, the system directly amplifies and detects microbial DNA/RNA from filtered samples, achieving same-day or next-day results while maintaining ability to detect non-culturable organisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If filtration is used to concentrate microorganisms, then the concentration increases detection sensitivity, but the filtration process may retain inhibitors that interfere with PCR detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidPCR inhibition

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts microorganisms from the liquid sample through filtration, separating them from potential inhibitors present in the original sample matrix. By concentrating microbes on the filter membrane and performing lysis directly on the filter, the method removes bulk liquid components that could inhibit PCR while retaining the target microorganisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different treatment conditions to different parts of the sample. The filtration step concentrates microorganisms locally on the membrane, and subsequent lysis and PCR are performed specifically at this concentrated location rather than in the bulk sample, allowing selective amplification of microbial DNA while excluding inhibitors from the original liquid matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If large volumes of liquid are processed, then the detection sensitivity for rare pathogens improves, but the complexity and cost of the detection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process into distinct modular steps: filtration/concentration, lysis, and PCR detection. Each step can be performed with simple, widely available equipment (standard filtration apparatus, heat block or water bath for lysis, conventional PCR machine), avoiding the need for complex integrated systems while maintaining high sensitivity through progressive concentration of the sample

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 and sensitive detection of microorganisms, including those that are not easily cultivable, with the ability to detect as few as 2 bacteria or 20 fungi in a large volume of liquid, improving the reliability of bioburden monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a filter, having an input face and an output face, which is secured within the filter cavity in an orientation perpendicular to the fluid path such that fluid entering the input end of the housing passes through the filter before exiting through the output end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one bead disposed within the input cavity, such that the bead can move freely within the input cavity when the device is agitated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical disruption: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9988622B2Device for capture and lysis of microorganisms from liquids and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

Devices and methods for detecting microbial contaminants, such as bacteria and fungi, in fluids such as drinking water, pharmaceutical solutions and tissue culture media are provided. More particularly, provided are filtration devices for capture and processing of microorganisms from fluids, and improved methods for recovery, lysis and detection of microorganisms based on a combination of physical disruption with small beads and lysis solutions.