Microbiological Control Device with Self-Generated Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microbiological control techniques require laboratory settings and are not suitable for industrial environments, as they involve transporting samples, handling nutritional media, and require sterile conditions, making them impractical for in-situ monitoring and risking contamination.
Innovation Solution
A microbiological control device with a closed internal space, a microbiological filtration means, and a nutrient layer impregnated with a culture medium, which creates suction without external sources, allowing for on-site analysis and containment of microorganisms within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If membrane filtration technique is used in laboratory, then microorganisms can be detected and counted, but the technique requires transporting samples to laboratory and is not suitable for industrial environments
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the internal space into a first compartment for sample introduction and filtration, and a second compartment for microorganism detection and culturing. This segmentation allows the filtration and culturing functions to be separated in space, enabling on-site analysis while maintaining sterile conditions for microorganism growth.
Solution Approach 2:
A semi-permeable membrane serves as an intermediary between the first and second compartments. It allows liquid to pass through while retaining microorganisms, and also permits nutrient diffusion from the second compartment to support microorganism growth without requiring direct contact between the sample and culture medium.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external suction source is used for filtration, then liquid can be drawn through the filtration means, but the device requires connection to external sources and is not self-contained
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates its own suction by establishing a pressure difference between the first and second compartments. The system is self-contained and does not require external suction sources, making it suitable for portable and on-site operations while maintaining automated filtration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses pressure differential (pneumatic principle) to drive liquid through the filtration means. By controlling pressure between compartments, the system achieves automated filtration without mechanical pumps or external suction devices.
3Reliability
If nutritional medium is introduced into industrial environment, then microorganisms can be cultured, but it poses contamination risk to the industrial liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the nutritional medium into the second compartment, isolated from the industrial liquid in the first compartment. This spatial segmentation allows culture medium to be present without contaminating the industrial process liquid, as the semi-permeable membrane prevents direct mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-permeable membrane acts as a flexible barrier that separates the nutritional medium from the industrial liquid. It allows selective passage of molecules while preventing contamination, enabling microorganism culturing without compromising industrial liquid purity.
4Measurement precision
If sterile environment is maintained for sample protection, then false positives are avoided, but the device complexity increases and sterile handling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-assembled with the semi-permeable membrane and nutritional medium in place before use. This preliminary preparation ensures sterile conditions are established beforehand, eliminating the need for complex sterile handling operations during sample analysis while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-permeable membrane serves as a sterile barrier that protects the nutritional medium and cultured microorganisms from external contamination. This intermediary structure maintains sterile conditions automatically without requiring manual sterile handling, simplifying operations while ensuring measurement precision.
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
Enables simplified and safe on-site microbiological control of liquids, preventing contamination and allowing for detection, counting, and identification of microorganisms without the need for laboratory transport or sterile handling.
Implementation Method 1
the absolute gas pressure inside the closed internal space, reduced to a temperature of 25°C, is strictly lower than the standard atmospheric pressure of 100 kPa at 25°C, so that the device is capable of creating a suction
Implementation Method 2
a microbiological filtration means arranged in the closed internal space and separating, in the closed internal space, a first compartment from a second compartment of the space internal closed
Implementation Method 3
a nutrient layer comprising a composition of a microbiological culture medium, the nutrient layer being in contact with the means of filtration
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a microbiological testing device (10) for testing a liquid to be analysed that may contain at least one microorganism, said device comprising: - an enclosed internal space (12); - a microbiological filtration means (32); - an inlet port (40), characterized in that the device (10) comprises a nutritive layer (36) in contact with the filtration means (32), and in that, in a configuration for provision of the device (10): - a shutter (46) of the inlet port (40) is in a closed state; - the absolute gas pressure inside the closed internal space (12) is strictly lower than standard atmospheric pressure, in such a way that the device is able to create suction through the inlet port during a first opening of the shutter (46). The invention also relates to a method for readiness and the use of such a device. (Figure to be published: Fig. No. 3).