Foam Bead State Detection in Sealed Bacterial Culture Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately determine the internal state, particularly temperature, of a bacterial culture solution during high temperature and high pressure treatments, as indicators like Prussian blue and leuco dye change colors at inappropriate temperatures, making it difficult to verify if the desired extraction temperature of 140°C has been reached.
Innovation Solution
A state determination method involving a container system with a bacterial culture solution and a foamed bead, where the internal state is determined by monitoring the size change of the bead during heating and pressurization, allowing direct and thorough temperature and pressure checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color change indicators (Prussian blue or leuco dye) are used to monitor temperature, then the indicator changes color at a specific temperature, but the color change occurs at inappropriate temperatures (121°C or 70°C) that do not match the required extraction temperature (140°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the indicator from color change to size change. The bead's size changes in response to temperature and pressure conditions, providing a reliable indication that the required 140°C extraction temperature has been achieved without being limited by the fixed color change temperatures of chemical indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The bead acts as an intermediary element between the heating system and the temperature verification process. It responds to the thermal and pressure conditions inside the sealed container and provides a visible size change that reliably indicates whether the required temperature has been reached, bridging the gap between the heating process and temperature monitoring.
2Temperature
If the container is sealed to maintain high temperature and pressure for nucleic acid extraction, then the internal state can be maintained at 140°C, but it becomes difficult to accurately determine the internal temperature without opening the container
Solution Approach 1:
The bead performs a dual function: it serves as both a placeholder maintaining the structural integrity of the sealed container and as a self-indicating temperature sensor. Its size change automatically indicates the internal temperature and pressure conditions without requiring external measurement devices or opening the container.
Solution Approach 2:
While the patent uses size change rather than color change, it follows the same principle of using a visible physical change in the indicator that can be observed without opening the sealed container. The bead's size transformation provides a clear visual signal of the internal state conditions.
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 precise determination of the internal state, including temperature, in a well-closed container, facilitating effective process control and eliminating the need for solvent replacement, suitable for applications like autoclave disinfection and nucleic acid extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a determination process of determining the internal state related to at least one of a temperature and a pressure in the container in the heating process based on a change in size of the bead
Data Source
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AI summary
In a state determination method, a bacterial culture solution S including bacteria C, and a foam bead B are enclosed in an enclosure container 20, the enclosure container 20 is sealed, heating is conducted, and an internal state related to at least one of a temperature and a pressure in the enclosure container 20 is determined based on a change in size of the foam bead B.