Optical Microorganism Detection with Attractant Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing biological samples, particularly those with transparent suspended particles, are challenging and costly due to the need for large sample volumes and time-consuming processes to detect and identify microorganisms effectively.
Innovation Solution
A specimen collection device with fluid containers containing microorganism-attracting substances and an optical measuring instrument that uses laser-scattering technology to detect and identify microorganisms by passing a light beam through the samples, generating forward-scatter signals indicative of microorganism presence and concentration, with features like controlled incubation and movable components for sequential sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical laser scattering is used to detect microorganisms, then detection sensitivity is improved, but implementation difficulty increases due to transparency of suspended particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces microorganism-attracting substances (antibodies, antigens, or nucleic acid probes) as intermediaries that bind specifically to target microorganisms. These substances enhance the optical scattering signal by creating larger complexes between the attractant and the microorganism, making transparent particles detectable through increased light interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the microorganisms by allowing them to grow and multiply in the fluid sample over time. This increases their size and concentration, thereby enhancing their optical scattering properties and making them more detectable by the laser scattering system.
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to ensure sufficient sample volume, then detection reliability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid sample into multiple aliquots and places them in separate containers, each containing a different microorganism-attracting substance. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple potential targets simultaneously, reducing total analysis time while maintaining reliable detection through replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary incubation of the fluid sample containers to allow microorganisms to grow and bind to attracting substances before optical measurement. This preliminary action concentrates and identifies target microorganisms in advance, improving detection reliability while reducing the time needed for actual measurement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microorganism types are analyzed simultaneously, then identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal detection system where a single optical measuring instrument with a light source and sensor can analyze multiple microorganism types by using different microorganism-attracting substances in separate containers. The same basic apparatus serves multiple functions by simply changing the attractant substance, avoiding the need for multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the complexity of multi-type detection by adding the dimension of time through sequential measurement. Different container sets with different attracting substances are measured at different time points, allowing multiple microorganism types to be identified using the same physical apparatus without spatial complexity.
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 and simultaneous detection and identification of microorganisms in small fluid samples with improved sensitivity and efficiency, reducing the need for large sample volumes and time-consuming processes while maintaining accurate bacterial concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
optical laser scattering is one of the most sensitive methods... passing the input beam through the fluid sample... generating a forward-scatter signal
Implementation Method 2
a heating element within the housing to maintain the portions of the fluid sample at a desired temperature to encourage microorganism growth
Data Source
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. Each sample containers holds a distinct microorganism-attracting substance and a portion of a fluid sample containing an unknown microorganism. Each distinct microorganism-attracting substance is configured to bind with a single type of microorganism. The unknown microorganism in the fluid sample binds with the distinct microorganism-attracting substance in a single sample container. The instrument incubates the microorganism in the single sample container and detects the presence of the microorganism in the single sample container to thereby simultaneously identify the unknown microorganism.