Optical Bacteria Detection with Onboard Incubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing biological samples, particularly for detecting bacteria in liquid samples, are time-consuming and inefficient, as they rely on bacterial growth plates and culturing, which can take days to determine bacterial presence and type, and lack effective systems for quickly determining the effect of chemoeffectors on bacteria.
Innovation Solution
An optical measuring instrument with onboard incubation and forward-scattering signal detection, capable of rapidly detecting bacteria concentration and identifying bacterial type through a networked system that separates patient identifiable information, using a combination of optical cavity, light source, sample cuvettes, and sensors within a light-tight enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional bacterial culturing methods are used, then bacterial presence and type can be determined, but the analysis time is extended to one or several days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical biological culturing process with an optical measurement system. A laser beam is transmitted through the liquid sample, and scattered light is detected by a photodetector to generate signals indicating bacterial presence and concentration. This substitution of optical detection for biological culturing reduces analysis time from days to minutes while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from biological growth observation to optical scattering measurement. By measuring the intensity and pattern of light scattered by bacteria in the liquid sample, the system rapidly determines bacterial presence and concentration without requiring bacterial growth, thus eliminating the time-consuming culturing step.
2Loss of time
If optical laser scattering measurement is used, then analysis time is reduced, but the implementation becomes challenging when analyzing biological samples with relatively transparent suspended particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding chemoeffectors to the liquid sample before optical measurement. These chemoeffectors interact with bacteria to enhance their optical scattering properties or create measurable changes in the sample matrix, making transparent bacterial particles more detectable by the laser scattering system before the actual measurement occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the bacterial sample by introducing chemoeffectors that modify the refractive index, scattering cross-section, or absorption characteristics of bacteria. This parameter modification enhances the contrast between transparent bacterial particles and the surrounding medium, making them more detectable by optical scattering measurement.
3Loss of time
If rapid optical detection is implemented, then quick bacterial identification is achieved, but additional systems are needed to determine the effect of chemoeffectors on bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing an integrated system that performs multiple functions: (1) optical detection of bacterial presence and concentration, (2) incubation of samples at controlled temperatures, (3) addition of chemoeffectors to test antibiotic susceptibility, and (4) automated data analysis to determine bacterial type and chemoeffector effects. This universal system handles all aspects of rapid bacterial analysis in a single instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chemoeffectors as intermediaries to bridge the gap between rapid optical detection and bacterial identification. By introducing known chemoeffectors (antibiotics, metabolic inhibitors) and observing their effects on bacterial scattering properties or growth dynamics, the system can identify bacterial types and susceptibility patterns without requiring complex additional instrumentation.
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 detection and identification of bacteria in liquid samples, reducing analysis time to hours, and ensures secure data handling by separating patient identifiable information, facilitating quicker medical diagnosis and antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Implementation Method 1
Optical laser scattering is one of the most sensitive methods... measures a forward-scatter signal associated with the concentration of bacteria
Implementation Method 2
a heating element to maintain the liquid sample at an elevated temperature to promote bacterial growth
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical measurement instrument is an integrated instrument that includes an optical cavity with a light source, a sample cuvette, and an optical sensor. The light source and sensor are on a bench that is on a translational or rotational mechanical platform such that optical beam can be moved to multiple sample containers. The instrument can be used for taking measurements of organism concentration in multiple samples as a production tool for microbiology. Preferably, the instrument holds multiple, individually-loaded, independent fluid samples and determines bacteria concentration via a forward-scattering signal. The instrument can incorporate onboard incubation to promote bacterial growth in the samples during the test. In another aspect, the instrument can be a part of a network for medical diagnostic testing data where data is stored in a manner that is inherently untainted by patient identifiable information.