Microbial Particle Counting via Deep UV Pre-Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microbial particle counting systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing microbial particles from non-microbial particles due to weak fluorescence signals being buried in background noise and inverted intensity relationships between fluorescence wavelength bands, leading to incorrect particle detection.
Innovation Solution
A microbial particle counting system that employs a preceding-stage irradiation with deep ultraviolet light to enhance the fluorescence intensity of specific autofluorescence substances, allowing for accurate differentiation between microbial and non-microbial particles by measuring light intensities in distinct wavelength ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fluorescence detection is performed without ultraviolet irradiation, then the detection system is simple, but the fluorescence intensity is weak and buried in background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by irradiating the sample with ultraviolet light before fluorescence detection to enhance the fluorescence intensity of microbial particles. This pre-treatment step increases the autofluorescence of microbial cells, making them distinguishable from background noise and non-microbial particles, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple detection systems and precise measurement
2Measurement precision
If ultraviolet irradiation is applied to enhance fluorescence, then the fluorescence intensity increases, but non-microbial particles emitting fluorescence cannot be distinguished from microbial particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the distinction problem by adding another dimension of measurement - comparing fluorescence intensity ratios across multiple wavelength bands. Instead of relying on a single fluorescence measurement, the system evaluates the relationship between fluorescence intensities in different spectral regions, enabling differentiation between microbial and non-microbial particles even when both exhibit fluorescence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by measuring fluorescence intensity ratios in multiple wavelength bands and using these ratio parameters to distinguish particle types. By transforming the single-parameter fluorescence intensity measurement into multi-parameter ratio analysis, the system achieves reliable particle distinction while maintaining enhanced fluorescence sensitivity
3Device complexity
If single wavelength fluorescence detection is used, then the detection method is simple, but the inverted intensity relationship in different bacteria types leads to detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-wavelength detection to multi-wavelength band detection, adding a spectral dimension to the measurement. By detecting fluorescence intensity ratios across multiple wavelength bands rather than at a single wavelength, the system overcomes the problem of inverted intensity relationships in different bacterial types and achieves universal accurate detection
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 system effectively counts microbial particles while minimizing false positives from non-microbial particles by establishing a clear intensity relationship between the first and second fluorescence wavelength bands post-irradiation, ensuring reliable particle distinction and counting.
Implementation Method 1
a preceding-stage irradiation section provided at a preceding stage of the viable particle counter and configured to irradiate a sample as the fluid with ultraviolet light, wherein the ultraviolet light is ultraviolet light having wavelength equal to or less than 300 nm, the ultraviolet light increasing fluorescence intensity of a first autofluorescence substance in the viable particle in succeeding-stage viable particle counter
Data Source
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AI summary
A microbial particle is accurately counted in distinction from a non-microbial particle. A preceding-stage irradiation section 2 irradiates a sample as fluid with ultraviolet light at a preceding stage of a microbial particle counter 1. The ultraviolet light is ultraviolet light having a deep ultraviolet region, the ultraviolet light increasing the fluorescence intensity of a first autofluorescence substance in the microbial particle. The microbial particle counter 1 measures light intensity in a first wavelength range including the fluorescence wavelength of the first autofluorescence substance. In addition, the microbial particle counter 1 measures light intensity in a specific second wavelength range. Further, the microbial particle counter 1 counts the microbial particle in distinction from a non-microbial particle in the fluid based on the measured light intensity in the first wavelength range and the measured light intensity in the specific second wavelength range.