Optical Microbial Detection Device for Translucent Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting microbial growth in containers, such as those used in the pharmaceutical industry, require adaptation to container size and shape, leading to inefficiencies and increased risk of contamination due to the need for fluid transfer, and often rely on a single analysis criterion, which reduces reliability and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A detection system comprising a device with a light source and photodetectors positioned outside the container to detect turbidity and fluorescence through a translucent wall, allowing continuous monitoring of microbial growth without fluid transfer, using multiple analysis parameters for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a technician periodically observes containers to detect microbial growth, then microbial contamination can be detected, but significant time is consumed and continuous monitoring is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical observation by technicians with an automated optical detection system. Light sources illuminate the container contents and photodetectors continuously measure optical properties (turbidity, fluorescence) to detect microbial growth, eliminating the need for periodic manual inspection while achieving continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-monitoring of microbial growth through automated optical detection. The container and its contents are equipped with or connected to detection devices that automatically and continuously assess microbial presence without requiring external technician intervention,实现ing continuous autonomous monitoring
2Reliability
If fluid is transferred to a specific analytical container for analysis, then microbial growth can be detected, but the risk of microbiological contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a separate analytical container and applies it directly to the original sample container. By placing or connecting photodetectors to the original container, the system eliminates the need to transfer fluid to another container, thus removing the contamination risk associated with transfer operations while maintaining detection capability
3Ease of operation
If a single analysis criterion is used for microbial growth monitoring, then the monitoring process is simple, but reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analysis criteria (turbidity measurement and fluorescence detection) into a single integrated detection system. The container is equipped with both light sources and photodetectors configured to measure multiple optical properties simultaneously, allowing comprehensive microbial growth monitoring through multiple parameters while maintaining operational simplicity
4Measurement precision
If detection means are positioned inside the container, then direct detection is possible, but the device complexity and risk of contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the container wall itself as an intermediary medium to transmit light between the external photodetectors and the internal sample contents. By positioning detection means outside the container and utilizing the wall's optical properties, the system achieves direct detection of microbial growth without introducing complex internal components or creating contamination pathways
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 reliable, continuous monitoring of microbial growth in containers of various sizes and shapes without disrupting the process, reducing contamination risks and costs by using multiple analysis parameters and eliminating the need for fluid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a detection device comprising: a) at least one light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), capable of illuminating the contents of the container by emitting an excitation light beam through the translucent area of the container
Implementation Method 2
b) at least one detection means, such as a photodiode, for detecting at least one reaction light beam emitted in response to the illumination of the contents of the container
Implementation Method 3
The presence of such microbial growth may be indicated, for example, by the appearance of cloudiness within the culture medium
Implementation Method 4
Another commonly used criterion is the appearance or disappearance of fluorescence in a fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
1. The invention relates to a device (10) for detecting the presence of at least one micro-organism in the contents (101, 201) of a container (100, 200) comprising a wall with a translucent zone, said detection device (10) comprising: a) at least one light source (11), such as a light-emitting diode (LED), able to illuminate the contents (101, 201) of the container (100, 200) by emitting an excitation light beam through the translucent zone of the container (100, 200); b) at least one detection means (12, 13, 14, 15), such as a photodiode, for detecting at least one reaction light beam emitted in response to the illumination of the contents (101, 201) of the container (100, 200); said at least one light source (11) and said at least one detection means (12, 13, 14, 15) being provided with at least one connecting means (105, 205) located entirely outside the container (100, 200) to connect said at least one light source (11) and said at least one detection means (12, 13, 14, 15) to the wall of the container (100, 200), at the translucent zone, said connecting means (105, 205) making it possible to adapt the position of the detection device (10) on the wall of the container (100, 200), said at least one detection means (12, 13, 14, 15) being positioned at an angle with a predetermined value relative to the direction of the excitation light beam to detect the reaction light beam.