Electrical Impedance Sensing for Rapid Infectious Agent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting anti-infective resistant infectious agents in patient samples are costly, labor-intensive, and require days to produce results, often necessitating broad-spectrum antibiotic use which can lead to multiple drug-resistant infections.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices and systems that use a fluid sample introduced to a surface, exposed to a solution, and then analyzed for changes in electrical characteristics, allowing for rapid detection of viable infectious agents and assessment of their susceptibility to anti-infectives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated inspection instruments are used to detect infectious agents, then clinician error is reduced, but device cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical inspection systems with simple electrical impedance measurement. Instead of using bulky optical read-out equipment to visually inspect microbial growth on agar plates, the invention uses electrical sensing devices to detect changes in impedance caused by microbial growth, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from optical properties (color changes, turbidity) to electrical properties (impedance). This parameter change allows for simpler, less expensive instrumentation while achieving reliable detection of infectious agents and their susceptibility to anti-infectives
2Measurement precision
If traditional microbial culturing methods are used, then susceptibility testing can be performed, but the process requires days to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by introducing the anti-infective to the infectious agent before the infectious agent has a chance to reproduce multiple times in different media. The method detects susceptibility early in the interaction process through electrical impedance changes, eliminating the need for lengthy reproduction cycles required by traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention skips the traditional multi-day process of allowing infectious agents to reproduce several times in different media before exposure to anti-infective. Instead, it rapidly detects susceptibility through direct electrical measurement of the interaction between the agent and anti-infective, rushing through what would traditionally be a lengthy process
3Ease of operation
If optical read-out methods are used for sample inspection, then detection can be performed, but bulky equipment and power supplies are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical detection systems with electrical impedance measurement systems. Instead of using optical components such as light sources, lenses, and detectors that require bulky equipment and power supplies, the invention uses simple electrical sensing devices that can be miniaturized and operate with minimal power requirements
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
These systems enable quick and effective detection of anti-infective resistant infectious agents, reducing the need for broad-spectrum antibiotics and minimizing the development of drug-resistant strains.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of a sensing device exposed to the solution sampled corresponding to a presence of the infectious agent in the fluid sample
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, systems and methods for detecting infectious agents or determining a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. One example method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a surface; exposing the surface to a solution; sampling the solution after exposing the solution to the surface; and detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of a sensing device exposed to the solution sampled corresponding to a presence of the infectious agent in the fluid sample.