Microorganism Detection Device Using Dual Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and identifying microorganisms in water, pharmaceutical, personal care, beverage, and food samples are labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring separate tests for each group of organisms and often relying on manual observation, which is not practical for low concentrations or simultaneous detection of multiple targets.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that uses a single test container with a chromogenic and fluorogenic substrate, dynamically detecting spectral changes with external light sources to simultaneously identify and enumerate two groups of microorganisms in real time, allowing for immediate detection and enumeration of their concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate test containers are used for detecting different microorganism groups, then each group can be detected with dedicated media, but the overall detection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection targets (coliform and E. coli) into a single test container by using a selective medium that contains both chromogenic substrates (for coliform detection) and fluorogenic substrates (for E. coli detection). This merging approach allows simultaneous detection of multiple microorganism groups without requiring separate test containers for each target, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy for each group.
Solution Approach 2:
The selective medium serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports growth of target microorganisms, provides chromogenic substrates for coliform detection, provides fluorogenic substrates for E. coli detection, and enables differentiation between the two groups through distinct signal types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated media for each microorganism group, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If manual observation methods are used, then simple equipment is required, but detection time and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual observation with automated spectral detection systems. A spectrophotometer measures absorbance changes of chromogenic substrates, while a fluorometer measures fluorescence intensity changes of fluorogenic substrates. This substitution of manual mechanical observation with automated optical measurement systems dramatically reduces detection time and labor intensity while providing quantitative data for enumeration of microorganism groups.
3Productivity
If multiple substrates are used in a single medium, then simultaneous detection is enabled, but substrate interference between different microorganism groups may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by using substrates with distinct detection characteristics: chromogenic substrates that produce color changes detectable by spectrophotometry and fluorogenic substrates that produce fluorescence detectable by fluorometry. Each substrate type is specifically suited for detecting its target microorganism group, and the different detection modalities (absorbance vs. fluorescence) minimize interference between substrates. This local optimization of substrate properties allows simultaneous detection while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes distinct optical signal changes for different microorganism groups: chromogenic substrates undergo color changes (e.g., from colorless to yellow or red) when metabolized by coliform bacteria, while fluorogenic substrates undergo fluorescence enhancement when metabolized by E. coli. These distinct color and fluorescence changes allow clear differentiation between the two groups even when both substrates are present in the same medium, preventing detection interference and maintaining accuracy while enabling simultaneous 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
This approach significantly reduces detection time and labor, enabling rapid and automated simultaneous detection of multiple microorganisms, even at low concentrations, by analyzing dynamic time patterns of substrate changes with a single photo detector and processor, providing real-time data analysis and reports.
Implementation Method 1
One target group causes a change in the visible color
Implementation Method 2
the second group causes a change in fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
Spectral changes of the substrates are dynamically detected using two external light sources aimed at a transparent section of the test container, and a single external photo detector. One light source operates in the visible band and the second in the long ultraviolet band.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method simultaneously detects and enumerates two groups of microorganisms in a test sample, utilizing a single test container. In the container liquid growth media, a chromogenic substrate and a fluorogenic substrate are mixed with the test sample. The test container is incubated to allow bacterial growth and metabolism. Spectral changes of the substrates are dynamically detected using two external light sources aimed at a transparent section of the test container, and a single external photo detector. One light source operates in the visible band and the second in the long ultraviolet band. The two dynamic time patterns generated by the two substrates are analyzed in real time to determine the presence or absence of each microorganisms group and to enumerate their original concentrations in the test sample.