Microtiter Plate Microbial Detection Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microbiological analysis methods are time-consuming and inefficient due to sequential enrichment, detection, and confirmation steps, particularly in detecting target microorganisms in minimal quantities, which requires extensive handling and can lead to microbial stress and delayed results.
Innovation Solution
A method involving gentle homogenization and controlled incubation within a container, allowing for simultaneous processing of multiple samples, reducing handling, and optimizing the contact of samples with culture media and analysis means to enhance microbial growth and detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential enrichment, detection, and confirmation steps are used, then detection precision is improved, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines enrichment, detection, and confirmation steps into a single integrated microtiter plate system. Multiple detection zones are incorporated into one plate, allowing simultaneous processing of samples through different analytical stages without sequential transfer between separate containers, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The microtiter plate is divided into multiple functional zones: enrichment zones, detection zones with specific substrates, and confirmation zones. Each zone performs a specific function, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples and reducing overall analysis time while maintaining the necessary detection precision through specialized zones.
2Measurement precision
If extensive handling is performed to detect minimal quantities of target microorganisms, then detection sensitivity is improved, but microbial stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated incubation and detection processes within the microtiter plate, minimizing manual handling steps. The plate itself serves multiple functions (enrichment, detection, confirmation) without requiring transfer between containers, reducing mechanical stress on microorganisms while maintaining detection sensitivity through automated processing.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate processing steps are used, then detection specificity is improved, but handling errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
All processing steps (enrichment, detection, confirmation) are integrated into a single microtiter plate system, eliminating multiple transfer operations between separate containers. This reduces handling errors while maintaining detection specificity through the specialized functional zones within the plate.
4Reliability
If sequential processing is used, then contamination risks are reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The microtiter plate is segmented into multiple independent functional zones that can process multiple samples simultaneously. Each zone maintains its own reagents and detection conditions, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples without cross-contamination, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining reliability.
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 reduces analysis time, minimizes microbial stress, and increases the sensitivity and specificity of detection, enabling faster and more precise identification of target microorganisms while reducing contamination risks and handling errors.
Implementation Method 1
incubating the container at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to allow the growth of said at least one target microorganism
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processing at least one biological sample capable of containing at least one target microorganism, the method being carried out within a container and including: (a) performing at least one step of homogenizing the biological sample, during which contents of the container are displaced from a level n, corresponding to a level of the contents at rest, to a homogenization level nh, distinct from the level n, and vice versa; and (b) generating a displacement of the contents to a level n+1, which is different from levels n and nh, such that the contents come into contact with at least one culture, at least one analysis device, or a combination thereof, positioned in a chamber of the container, between level n+1 inclusive and level nh exclusive, wherein step b) takes place before, after or during all or part of the homogenization step a).