Infectious Agent Sample Preparation Using Impedance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing output samples with a defined concentration of infectious agents are time-consuming, labor-intensive, prone to human error, and inadequate for opaque biological samples, often requiring costly and bulky equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dilution, incubation, and monitoring of solution characteristics using sensors, coupled with a computing device to adjust parameters based on look-up tables, achieves a defined concentration of infectious agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional microbial culturing techniques are used to prepare output samples, then the concentration of infectious agents can be defined, but the process becomes time-consuming (up to 24 hours) and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical measurement methods with impedance-based sensing. Sensors measure electrical impedance changes in the sample, which correlate with infectious agent concentration. This substitution enables rapid, automated measurement without time-consuming manual culturing or optical assessment, directly resolving the contradiction between precision and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated impedance monitoring and computer-controlled parameter adjustment. The sensors automatically detect concentration changes, and the computing device autonomously adjusts incubation parameters based on look-up tables, eliminating labor-intensive manual operations while maintaining defined concentration preparation.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical techniques are used to assess infectious agent concentration, then the process can be performed with standard equipment, but opaque biological samples cannot be accurately assessed and bulky expensive equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection methods with electrical impedance sensing. Since impedance measurement is not affected by sample opacity, this substitution enables accurate assessment of opaque biological samples while using smaller, more accessible equipment, simultaneously improving both ease of manufacture and measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If manual interpretation by skilled personnel is used, then the concentration can be assessed, but the process is prone to technical and clinician error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through automated impedance monitoring and computer-controlled parameter adjustment. Sensors continuously monitor impedance changes, and the computing device uses this feedback to autonomously adjust incubation parameters based on look-up tables, eliminating manual interpretation errors and improving both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automated detection and control, replacing skilled personnel interpretation with algorithm-based decision making. This automation eliminates human error while maintaining measurement precision, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and reliability.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional culturing methods are used, then comprehensive analysis can be performed, but the process requires costly and bulky equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical and mechanical analysis equipment with simple impedance sensors and computing devices. This substitution maintains comprehensive analytical capability through electrical measurement while dramatically reducing equipment cost and size, resolving the contradiction between analytical quantity and 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
This approach enables rapid, accurate, and cost-effective preparation of output samples with defined concentrations, reducing human error and equipment costs.
Implementation Method 1
Impedimetric Sensors for Bacteria Detection" in Biosensors - Micro and Nanoscale Applications, September 2015, pages 257 - 288
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Various methods, devices, and systems for preparing an output sample of a defined concentration are disclosed. The output sample can be used for downstream tests such as downstream anti-infective or antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). The method can comprise diluting an aliquot of a source sample comprising an infectious agent to yield a diluted sample; exposing one or more sensors to the diluted sample, wherein at least a part of each of the one or more sensors is in fluid communication with the diluted sample; incubating the diluted sample at an incubation temperature; monitoring a change in a solution characteristic of the diluted sample using a parameter analyzer or a computing device coupled to the one or more sensors; and cooling the diluted sample to a cooling temperature when the solution characteristic of the diluted sample changes by a threshold amount to yield the output sample of the defined concentration.