Multi-Well Legionella Tray With Breathable Lid for Faster Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for quantifying biological material in liquid samples, such as bacterial concentration in water, are inefficient and lack the ability to optimize growth conditions for accurate detection and quantification.
Innovation Solution
A multi-well sample testing apparatus with a permeable, transparent, and non-toxic tray and lid member configuration that includes breathable film layers and adhesive layers, allowing for air bubble capture and even distribution of liquid samples, along with dissolvable films or capsules to enhance bacterial growth conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional membrane filtration methods are used to quantify bacterial concentration, then detection capability is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires complex equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the sample testing process into multiple independent wells (e.g., 20 wells in a tray), allowing parallel processing of multiple samples or dilutions simultaneously. This segmentation enables batch testing rather than sequential testing, significantly reducing total testing time while maintaining detection precision for each individual well.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary medium (nutrient broth or agar) that facilitates bacterial growth and detection. Instead of directly filtering and counting bacteria, the method uses this intermediary medium to culture bacteria, making them visible through color changes or colony formation, thereby simplifying the detection process and reducing time requirements.
2Measurement precision
If MPN method with multiple tubes is used for quantification, then bacterial concentration can be determined, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual tube tests into a single integrated multi-well tray apparatus. Instead of using separate tubes for each sample or dilution, all samples are processed in one tray with multiple wells, reducing the number of separate components, materials, and handling steps while maintaining the statistical accuracy of MPN quantification.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-well tray apparatus serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds multiple samples, provides individual containment for each well, allows parallel incubation, and enables systematic enumeration of positive wells. This universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized tubes and accessories, simplifying the overall testing system while preserving quantification accuracy.
3Reliability
If sample distribution is not optimized, then testing can proceed, but bacterial growth conditions are not maximized affecting detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus design ensures that each well receives an optimized local environment for bacterial growth, including appropriate volume of sample and medium, proper aeration, and suitable nutrient conditions. The uniform well geometry and standardized dimensions guarantee consistent local quality across all wells, maximizing detection reliability without requiring complex manual adjustment for each well.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray and lid are pre-configured with alignment features, ventilation holes, and well positioning that facilitate automatic or semi-automatic sample distribution. The preliminary design of the apparatus structure enables efficient and accurate sample allocation to each well, reducing the operational complexity while ensuring optimal growth conditions are established before incubation begins.
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 apparatus optimizes bacterial growth conditions, enabling accurate detection and quantification of biological materials by maximizing permeability and maintaining sample integrity during incubation, thereby improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a breathable film layer disposed about the adhesive layer
Implementation Method 2
The lid member includes an adhesive layer configured to be sealed to the planar surface of the sample tray
Data Source
AI summary
A testing apparatus for the detection of Legionella bacteria in a liquid sample includes a sample tray and a lid member. The sample tray defines a planar surface and a plurality of wells recessed relative to the planar surface and is formed from a permeable, transparent material that is non-toxic to Legionella bacteria. The lid member includes an adhesive layer configured to be sealed to the planar surface of the sample tray and formed from a first permeable material, a breathable film layer disposed directly about the adhesive layer and formed from a second, different permeable material, and a backing layer disposed directly about the breathable film layer.