Automated Microbial Cultivation for Unculturable Cells and Drug Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods struggle to accurately control and regulate eukaryotic and microbial cell growth in vitro, particularly for unculturable microorganisms, and effectively select antimicrobial agents to treat infections caused by resistant bacteria and fungi.

Innovation Solution

An automated system and method for cultivating unculturable bacteria and fungi, using nutrient media with programmed compositions and environmental factor control, allowing for the growth of mixed microbial communities and the evaluation of antimicrobial agents to treat infections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional culture methods are used, then common microorganisms can be grown, but previously unculturable microorganisms cannot be grown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to culture microorganismsVSAvoidculture success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying multiple culture conditions including temperature gradients (from 4°C to 42°C), atmospheric compositions (aerobic, anaerobic, microaerophilic), pH levels, and nutrient compositions to create optimized culture environments that enable growth of previously unculturable microorganisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the culture process into multiple sequential stages with different conditions: initial enrichment stage, isolation stage, and characterization stage. Each stage uses specific media compositions and environmental parameters tailored to progressively isolate and cultivate target microorganisms from complex samples

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing is used, then drug efficacy can be assessed for culturable bacteria, but treatment options for resistant and unculturable microorganisms are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial selection accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to different microorganisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal culture and testing system that can handle diverse microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and unculturable species through standardized procedures. The system uses universal buffer compositions and culture conditions that are adaptable to different organism types while maintaining consistent quality control metrics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive culture attempts are made for unculturable microorganisms, then growth may be achieved, but time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to culture diverse microorganismsVSAvoidculture time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action through pre-enrichment cultures and preparatory treatment of samples before正式的 isolation attempts. This includes pre-adapting microorganisms to specific conditions, pre-mixing optimized media compositions, and pre-establishing temperature and atmospheric parameters to reduce the time required for actual culture and isolation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260071247A1Products for regulation of eukaryotic and microbial cells growth

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 TETS VICTOR

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for the flexible regulation of cellular growth of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In particular embodiments, regulation of eucaryotic and microbial cells growth, occurs by the control of their interaction with the environmental factors, nutrient media, media additives, supplements.