Integrated Filtration Unit for Low-Contamination Microbe Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane filter methods for detecting microorganisms in fluids are labor-intensive, prone to contamination, and can lead to incorrect results due to manual handling and potential loss of growth medium during filtration.
Innovation Solution
A filtration unit comprising a filtration membrane, a nutrient pad, and optionally a support structure, where the nutrient pad and/or support structure includes a solid, water-soluble growth medium and a water-soluble/water-swellable polymer, ensuring the growth medium is present before filtration, reducing contamination risk and maintaining growth medium availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual membrane filter method is used, then microorganisms can be detected, but labor intensity is high and contamination risk is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtration membrane and nutrient pad into a single integrated filtration unit. The nutrient pad is positioned directly behind the filtration membrane, eliminating the need for separate manual transfer steps. This integration maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing labor intensity and contamination risk during the filtration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The nutrient pad is pre-positioned in the filtration unit before the filtration process begins. The growth medium is already prepared and positioned to receive microorganisms directly after filtration, eliminating the need for subsequent manual transfer to a separate nutrient pad. This preliminary arrangement reduces operational steps and contamination opportunities.
2Reliability
If manual transfer of membrane filter to nutrient pad is performed, then microorganisms can be cultured, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the filtration membrane and nutrient pad into a single integrated unit, the patent eliminates the manual transfer step that is the primary source of contamination. The nutrient pad is already positioned directly behind the membrane, so microorganisms are deposited directly onto the nutrient pad during filtration, preventing contamination from external sources during transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filtration unit structure acts as an intermediary system that eliminates the need for manual handling between the filtration membrane and nutrient pad. The direct contact and integrated design prevent contamination that would occur during separate manual transfer operations.
3Reliability
If growth medium is applied after filtration, then microorganisms can grow, but growth medium may be washed out during filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The growth medium is pre-applied to the nutrient pad before the filtration process begins. This ensures that the growth medium is already in position and protected from being washed out during filtration. The nutrient pad is pre-saturated with growth medium, so when microorganisms are filtered onto it, the growth medium is already available for immediate cultivation without risk of loss during the filtration process.
4Reliability
If classic membrane filter method is used, then microorganisms can be detected, but contamination risk is high due to manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (filtration membrane, nutrient pad, and their associated handling steps) into a single integrated filtration unit. This reduces the number of manual steps from multiple separate operations to a single integrated filtration process, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The nutrient pad with growth medium is pre-positioned in the filtration unit before filtration begins. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for subsequent manual transfer operations, reducing the number of manual steps and associated contamination risks while maintaining the detection capability.
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
The method allows for simple, low-contamination detection of microorganisms with a low detection limit, minimizing labor and ensuring accurate results by preventing growth medium washout during filtration.
Implementation Method 1
the nutrient pad and/or the support structure comprises a solid, water-soluble growth medium and a water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer
Implementation Method 2
the nutrient pad and/or the support structure comprises a solid, water-soluble growth medium and a water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer
Implementation Method 3
filtering the aqueous solution through a membrane filter, with the membrane filter retaining the microorganisms possibly present in the aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filtration unit with a filtration membrane, nutritive cardboard disc and, if necessary, a support structure, wherein the nutritive cardboard disc and/or the support structure comprises a solid, water-soluble nutrient medium and a water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer, a method for producing the filtration unit, a method for detecting microorganisms in a fluid, wherein the filtration unit is used, and the use of the filtration unit for detecting microorganisms in a fluid.