Microbial Particle Counter Using Deep UV Pre-Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microbial particle counting systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing and counting microbial particles from non-microbial particles due to weak fluorescence signals being buried in background noise and variations in fluorescence intensity ratios based on bacterium type, as well as false detection of non-microbial particles emitting fluorescence.
Innovation Solution
A microbial particle counting system that includes a preceding-stage irradiation with deep ultraviolet light to enhance the fluorescence intensity of autofluorescence substances in microbial particles, allowing for accurate differentiation by measuring light intensity in specific wavelength ranges using a microbial particle counter that irradiates the sample with excitation light and detects autofluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence detection is used to detect microbial particles, then microbial particles can be detected, but the weak fluorescence signal is buried in background noise making detection inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary UV irradiation on the sample before fluorescence detection to pre-accumulate energy in autofluorescence substances. This preliminary action enhances the subsequent fluorescence signal intensity, making it stand out from background noise and improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the excitation wavelength parameter by using UV light (around 365nm) for preliminary irradiation, which is different from the excitation light wavelength used for detection. This parameter change optimizes the energy accumulation in autofluorescence substances, thereby enhancing the fluorescence signal for better detection accuracy.
2Device complexity
If single wavelength fluorescence detection is used, then detection is simple, but microbial particles cannot be distinguished from non-microbial particles emitting fluorescence
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluorescence detection into multiple wavelength channels by using a spectroscope to separate light into different wavelength components. This allows simultaneous detection of fluorescence at multiple wavelengths, enabling differentiation between microbial and non-microbial particles while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds the wavelength dimension to fluorescence detection by using spectral analysis. Instead of detecting only intensity at a single wavelength, the system measures intensity across multiple wavelengths, creating a spectral fingerprint that enables particle type differentiation.
3Illumination intensity
If UV-C light irradiation is used to enhance autofluorescence, then fluorescence intensity increases, but non-microbial particles emitting fluorescence cause false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses UV light for preliminary irradiation to enhance autofluorescence before detection, similar to UV-C irradiation. However, it combines this with multi-wavelength spectral analysis to distinguish true microbial particles from false positives, maintaining high fluorescence intensity while improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the spectral characteristics obtained from multi-wavelength detection as feedback to identify and eliminate false detections. By analyzing the fluorescence spectrum shape and comparing it with reference patterns, the system can distinguish between microbial particles with characteristic autofluorescence and non-microbial particles with atypical emission patterns.
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 in distinction from non-microbial particles by increasing the fluorescence intensity of autofluorescence substances, ensuring accurate detection and differentiation based on measured light intensities in defined wavelength ranges.
Implementation Method 1
the ultraviolet light increasing fluorescence intensity of a first autofluorescence substance in the microbial particle
Implementation Method 2
irradiate fluid with excitation light to detect autofluorescence of a microbial particle in the fluid
Data Source
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.