Integrated Filter Filtration and Culture for Microorganism Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for microorganism detection are inefficient in filtering, culturing, and extracting nucleic acids, often requiring separate filters and multiple steps, which can lead to increased filter usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving a first filtration unit for filtering a fluid sample with a first filter, followed by culture in a liquid medium, partial region filtration of the liquid medium using a second filter, and extraction of nucleic acids from the residue, with the option to produce a second filter by cutting out a partial region of the first filter, allowing for efficient reuse of the filter material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate filters are used for filtration and culture, then filtration reliability is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtration function and culture function into a single filter unit. The filter is designed to both filter microorganisms from the liquid medium and serve as a substrate for microbial culture, eliminating the need for separate filtration and culture components. This reduces device complexity while maintaining filtration reliability through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a filtration medium and a culture substrate. By making the filter capable of performing multiple functions (filtration and culture support), the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable filtration performance.
2Reliability
If multiple separate steps are used for filtration, culturing, and extraction, then process reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple processing steps (filtration, culturing, and nucleic acid extraction) into an integrated system where the same filter unit is used throughout. This merging of steps into a single continuous process on one filter reduces the time and complexity associated with multiple separate operations, thereby improving productivity while maintaining process reliability through consistent handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is continuously used throughout the entire process from filtration to culturing to extraction without being removed or replaced. This continuous use of the same filter medium maintains the microbial culture in place throughout all steps, eliminating downtime between operations and improving overall process productivity while ensuring reliable results through uninterrupted processing.
3Reliability
If the entire filter is used for both filtration and extraction, then material usage increases, but filtering coverage is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter usage by designating different regions for different functions. A first region of the filter is used for filtration, while a second region (partial region) is used for culture and subsequent extraction. This segmentation allows the filter to serve multiple purposes without requiring the entire filter area to be consumed, reducing material waste while ensuring adequate filtering coverage in the dedicated filtration region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter are assigned different functions based on local quality requirements. The filtration region is optimized for particle retention, while the culture region is optimized for microbial growth and subsequent nucleic acid extraction. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function efficiently without compromising the other, reducing overall material usage while maintaining effective filtering coverage.
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
Reduces filter usage, ensures reliable filtration, and simplifies the extraction of nucleic acids by using a partial region of the first filter for both filtration and extraction, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reducing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a first filtration unit that filters a liquid medium to be cultured by a first filter
Implementation Method 2
a second filtration unit that filters the liquid medium after culture by a partial region of the first filter
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus, including a first filtration unit that filters a fluid sample by a first filter; a culture unit for immersing the first filter after filtration by the first filtration unit in a liquid medium and performs culture; a second filtration unit that filters the liquid medium after culture by a partial region of the first filter; an extraction unit that extracts nucleic acids of organisms contained in the liquid medium from a residue after filtration by the second filtration unit; and a production unit that produces a second filter by cutting out the partial region of the first filter immersed in the liquid medium, wherein the second filtration unit filters the liquid medium after culture by the second filter.