Open-cell foam biological indicator for water bacteria detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sampling methods, such as grab sampling, are inadequate for detecting transient biological contaminants in water and air, as they fail to account for non-equilibrium conditions and limited sample sizes, missing low-concentration contaminants and opportunistic pathogens like Legionella, which can persist in biofilms and pose health risks.
Innovation Solution
An open-cell foam matrix is used for cumulative exposure testing, which maximizes surface area to attract and adsorb biological contaminants, allowing for extended sampling over larger volumes and depths, and can be impregnated with biocides for removal and filtration, mimicking the structure of human lung alveoli to enhance contaminant detection and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional grab sampling is used, then the sampling process is simple and quick, but the detection precision is insufficient and low-concentration contaminants are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an open-cell foam matrix as the sampling medium. The porous structure provides high surface area for contaminant adsorption, enabling detection of low-concentration biological contaminants that would be missed by traditional grab sampling. The foam's interconnected open cells allow fluid penetration while retaining captured contaminants for later analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from volume-based grab sampling to surface-area-based foam adsorption. By exposing the foam matrix to water flow over extended periods, the system accumulates contaminants on its surface, effectively converting a three-dimensional volume sample into a two-dimensional surface accumulation that can be detected with higher precision.
2Duration of action of moving object
If grab sampling is used, then the sampling time is short, but the exposure time to contaminants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The foam matrix is pre-deployed in the water system before contamination events occur. It continuously adsorbs biological contaminants as they pass through, building up a reservoir of captured organisms over time. This preliminary accumulation ensures that even transient or sporadic contaminants are captured and concentrated for later detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam sampling medium operates continuously as water flows through it, providing uninterrupted exposure to contaminants. Unlike discrete grab samples, the foam accumulates contaminants over extended periods, maintaining continuous detection capability without requiring periodic manual sampling interventions.
3Quantity of substance
If grab sampling with limited sample size is used, then the sample volume is manageable, but the detection capability for low-concentration contaminants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The high surface area to volume ratio of the open-cell foam matrix enables it to adsorb and concentrate contaminants from large volumes of water. As water continuously passes through the foam, contaminants are trapped on the internal surfaces of the cells, effectively concentrating low-concentration contaminants into a detectable quantity within a manageable physical sample size.
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
The open-cell foam effectively identifies and removes bacteria and other biological contaminants over time, detecting Legionella at low levels where conventional methods fail, providing a cost-efficient and accurate method for monitoring biological contamination in water and air.
Implementation Method 1
The open-cell foam structure provides high surface area which maximizes the efficacy of the open-celled foam's ability to attract biological and related contamination at the molecular level
Implementation Method 2
The foam that is used in the open-cell foam biological indicator can be impregnated with a biocide or another chemical that can kill bacteria or other organisms
Data Source
AI summary
An open-cell foam biological indicator for bacteria detection and removal from water or air, and methods of use.