Mie Scatter Detection for Rapid Bacterial Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for bacterial skin infections are time-consuming, costly, and require laboratory equipment and skilled staff, leading to delayed treatment and increased antibiotic resistance, especially in cases of chronic wounds and burn injuries.

Innovation Solution

A portable device using Mie scatter technology with a photodiode array and a 650 nm red LED light source to detect bacterial infections on skin surfaces by analyzing light scatter patterns across various angles, allowing for rapid identification of specific bacterial species without the need for culturing or reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic methods (biopsy, swabbing, culturing, gram staining) are used to identify bacterial infections, then accurate identification of bacterial species is achieved, but the process takes days and requires laboratory equipment and skilled staff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial species identification accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/biological processes of culturing and gram staining with optical scattering measurement. A light source illuminates the wound exudate or skin surface, and detectors measure the scattering patterns at multiple angles. These optical patterns are then analyzed using machine learning algorithms to identify bacterial species, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory culturing processes while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from traditional microbiological methods to optical scattering parameters. By measuring light scattering intensity at multiple angles (e.g., 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°) and using these optical parameters as input for machine learning classification, the system achieves rapid bacterial identification without altering the physical or chemical state of the sample through culturing or staining procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic methods are used, then bacterial identification is achieved, but treatment is delayed and antibiotic resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen identification accuracyVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of the pathogen type before treatment begins. By rapidly identifying whether the infection is caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, or specific species like Staphylococcus aureus, the system enables clinicians to select appropriate antibiotics in advance, avoiding delayed treatment and reducing the development of antibiotic resistance through inappropriate broad-spectrum antibiotic use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If invasive biopsy or swabbing procedures are performed, then samples for analysis are obtained, but patient discomfort and risk of additional infection increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample qualityVSAvoidpatient discomfort and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical sampling procedures (biopsy, swabbing) with non-contact or minimal-contact optical measurement. The system uses light scattering from wound exudate or skin surface, eliminating the need for physical sample collection that causes patient discomfort and potential additional infection risk, while still obtaining sufficient information for accurate bacterial identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Duration of action of moving object

If broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed due to delayed diagnosis, then initial treatment is provided, but antibiotic resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment initiation timeVSAvoidantibiotic resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary and accurate identification of the specific bacterial pathogen before antibiotic treatment is initiated. By quickly determining the bacterial species and its Gram classification through optical scattering patterns, the system allows clinicians to prescribe targeted narrow-spectrum antibiotics from the start, avoiding the unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that drive antibiotic resistance development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective diagnosis of bacterial infections on skin surfaces, reducing the time to specific treatment and minimizing antibiotic resistance by identifying pathogens directly on the skin, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMie scatter: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS11137384B2Rapid and non-destructive detection of infection

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

The invention relates to methods and devices to identify an infection via light scatter from a tissue surface.