Optical Bacteria Identification Carousel for Rapid Urine Sample Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying microorganisms in urine samples are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and require multiple reagents, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing disposable cartridges with integrated centrifuge tubes, pipette tips, and optical cuvettes, processed by a sample processor and analyzed by an optical analyzer, which maintains sample temperature and minimizes contamination, allowing for rapid and reagent-free identification of microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual methods are used for identifying microorganisms in urine samples, then comprehensive analysis can be performed, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming (50 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (inoculation, incubation, suspension, dilution, vortexing, turbidity measurements) with an automated optical analysis system that uses light scattering and fluorescence detection to identify and quantify microorganisms, dramatically reducing processing time from 50 hours to 2-3 hours while maintaining comprehensive analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automated processing where the optical analyzer independently performs sample analysis without requiring manual intervention for each step, with the instrument automatically measuring light scattering patterns and fluorescence signals to identify microorganisms and generate results
2Reliability
If multiple reagents are used for species identification and antibiotics susceptibility testing, then comprehensive diagnostic information is obtained, but the process requires more resources and generates biochemical waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical reagent-based identification methods with physical optical measurement methods, using light scattering patterns and fluorescence characteristics to identify microorganism species and antibiotic susceptibility, thereby eliminating the need for multiple biochemical reagents and reducing waste generation while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters from chemical reactions requiring reagents to physical optical properties (light scattering angle, intensity, fluorescence emission wavelengths), allowing comprehensive microbial characterization without consuming biochemical reagents
3Measurement precision
If samples are processed through multiple steps including incubation and biochemical testing, then accurate identification is achieved, but the total processing time extends to 50 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming biochemical incubation steps (24-48 hours) with immediate optical measurement techniques that detect light scattering and fluorescence signals from live microorganisms, reducing identification time from days to minutes while preserving measurement precision through sophisticated signal analysis algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary optical characterization of microorganisms directly in the urine sample without requiring prior isolation and cultivation steps, enabling rapid identification by analyzing inherent optical properties of the microorganisms in their native state
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 system significantly reduces processing time to 30 minutes for a single specimen and 2 hours for 42 specimens, minimizing labor and costs while ensuring accurate and consistent results.
Implementation Method 1
An insulation plate is located below the turntable and includes at least one thermal electrical cooler for cooling the air circulated through the inlet openings and outlet openings from the carousel through the turntable
Implementation Method 2
the optics cups and the disposable cartridges are plastic such that convective cooling through the turntable and the plastic of the disposable cartridges and the optics cups occurs for the rapid cooling of the specimens in the optics cups
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a cooling, heating and fan arrangement for maintaining a predetermined optimum temperature of the samples during testing; a visual, circumferential and axial alignment system for aligning the samples within the carousel; a transfer system for transferring the samples from the carousel to the centrifuge; a balancing system of minimizing the rotational vibrations of the centrifuge; a safety system and anti-tipping design for the sample containing system; liquid dispensing arms for dispensing the buffered saline solution; and discharge ports for discharging and disposing of the liquid removed from the samples to a location external of the system.