Microplate Electrode System for Rapid Anti-infective Susceptibility Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting anti-infective resistance in microorganisms are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and require costly equipment, limiting the rapid determination of susceptibility to anti-infectives, which can lead to unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use and the development of multi-resistant microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic device and method utilizing a system with pH and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) electrode wells, where an inoculum solution is introduced with varying concentrations of anti-infectives, allowing for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) through monitoring solution characteristics over time, using a reference buffer and water immiscible liquid to prevent contamination and maintain concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual microbial culturing techniques and agar disk diffusion tests are used to detect anti-infective resistance, then measurement precision can be achieved, but labor intensity increases and clinician error becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated optical inspection systems that use image analysis software to objectively evaluate well-color changes and determine MIC values, eliminating clinician error and reducing labor intensity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-interpretation through automated algorithms that analyze well-color changes and generate MIC values without requiring manual interpretation, allowing the system to serve itself in the measurement and evaluation process
2Reliability
If current automated inspection instruments are used to reduce clinician error, then reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to requirement of reporter molecules and costly components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for costly reporter molecules and complex optical components by using a simplified system where the anti-infective itself serves as the indicator through color change, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable microplate wells with integrated electrodes that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and maintainable instrumental components while ensuring reliable measurements
3Measurement precision
If optical read-out methods are used for inspection, then measurement capability is provided, but bulky detection equipment is required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky optical detection equipment with miniaturized electrochemical sensors and portable measurement devices that can directly measure solution characteristics in the microplate wells, reducing equipment size while maintaining measurement precision
4Productivity
If rapid detection methods are implemented to determine susceptibility soon after microorganism identification, then productivity increases, but current methods still require time-consuming culturing and testing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-positioning anti-infectives in microplate wells before sample introduction, allowing immediate testing upon sample arrival and eliminating time-consuming preparation steps while accelerating susceptibility determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous monitoring of microbial growth and anti-infective effectiveness through real-time measurement of solution characteristics, eliminating idle time between steps and accelerating the overall testing process while maintaining accuracy
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 enables rapid, accurate, and cost-effective determination of anti-infective susceptibility, reducing the risk of resistance development by optimizing antibiotic use.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the pH electrode wells can comprise a pH electrode
Implementation Method 2
each of the ORP electrode wells can comprise an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) electrode
Implementation Method 3
The buffer receiving space can comprise a plurality of reference electrode wells. Each of the reference electrode wells can comprise a reference electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods, devices, and systems for determining the susceptibility of infectious agents to anti-infectives are disclosed herein. A method comprises introducing an inoculum solution comprising the infectious agent into a sample receiving space of a diagnostic device. The sample receiving space comprises a plurality of growth control wells devoid of the anti-infective and a plurality of active electrode wells comprising the anti-infective at differing concentrations. A water immiscible liquid can be introduced into the sample receiving space to seal the plurality of wells and the diagnostic device can be incubated for a period of time. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the anti-infective on the infectious agent can be determined by monitoring and comparing one or more solution characteristics of the inoculum solution within the active electrode wells with the one or more solution characteristics of the inoculum solution with the growth control wells.