Optical Probe Detection of Thermoduric Microorganism Metabolites
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and enumerating thermoduric bacteria, such as the Laboratory Pasteurisation Count (LPC), are slow, labor-intensive, and require extensive sample manipulation, leading to a higher risk of residual contamination and subjective results.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a vessel with an optical probe sensitive to thermoduric microorganism metabolites, where an aliquot of the product is pasteurized and incubated, with periodic probe interrogations to measure changes in metabolite concentration, indicating the presence of viable thermoduric bacteria, and allowing remote interrogation to minimize sample handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional LPC method is used with extensive sample manipulation, then detection accuracy is maintained, but detection time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (pipetting, plating, incubation monitoring) with an automated optical detection system. The optical probe continuously monitors metabolite production in real-time, eliminating the need for manual sample manipulation and colony counting, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service detection where the sample itself produces detectable signals through metabolic activity. The thermoduric bacteria metabolize nutrients and produce byproducts that the optical probe detects, allowing the sample to 'report' its own status without requiring external intervention or manual counting.
2Reliability
If traditional LPC method involves multiple manipulation steps, then detection capability is maintained, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the manual manipulation process and concentrates it in a sealed optical detection system. By removing samples from the laboratory environment and containing them in closed vessels with optical probes, the system eliminates exposure to external contamination sources while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical probe acts as an intermediary that detects bacterial metabolism without direct contact or manipulation of the sample. The probe measures metabolic byproducts (such as oxygen consumption or pH changes) optically, providing indirect detection that avoids introducing contaminants during sample handling.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual sample handling is performed, then sample processing is completed, but labor intensity increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated optical detection system. The instrument automatically performs incubation, optical scanning, and data analysis, eliminating repetitive manual tasks such as plating, incubation monitoring, and colony counting, thereby reducing labor intensity while simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous detection throughout the incubation period without interruption. The optical probe continuously or periodically monitors metabolic activity in real-time, eliminating the need for discrete manual intervention steps and providing uninterrupted detection capability.
4Productivity
If traditional LPC uses subjective colony counting, then detection is completed, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective manual colony counting with objective optical measurement. The optical probe quantitatively measures metabolic byproduct concentrations or oxygen consumption rates, providing numerical data that is free from human subjectivity and interpretation variability, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback on metabolic activity through continuous optical monitoring. The instrument tracks changes in metabolic byproduct concentrations over time and provides immediate quantitative results, eliminating the delay and subjectivity associated with manual colony counting while maintaining detection throughput.
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
This approach enables rapid and objective detection and enumeration of thermoduric bacteria with minimal sample manipulation, reducing contamination risks and improving efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
periodically interrogating the probe during the incubation period. The interrogations measure changes in the probe reflective of changes in concentration of a thermoduric microorganism metabolite within the aliquot
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method of detecting the presence of thermoduric microorganisms in a product that includes the steps of (i) placing an aliquot A of a product into a vessel (10) equipped with a probe (30) sensitive to a thermoduric microorganism metabolite, (ii) pasteurizing the aliquot A within the vessel (10), (iii) incubating the pasteurized aliquot A within the vessel (10) for an incubation period, and (iv) periodically interrogating the probe (30) during the incubation period.