Organic Dye Composition for Rapid Microorganism Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring disinfection effectiveness and detecting microorganisms are limited by their inability to provide a wide-range, rapid assessment, often requiring localized sampling and lengthy culturing processes.

Innovation Solution

An organic dye composition comprising an organic dye that is discolored by hydrolysis and emits fluorescence under specific light wavelengths, combined with an alcohol and water, is used as a spray agent to visualize microorganisms by discoloration and fluorescence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a sample is obtained by wiping off the measurement target, then the microorganism concentration can be grasped in the wiped region, but it is not possible to see the appropriateness over a wide range of disinfection effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sampling methods (wiping, filtering) with a chemical detection system. The organic dye composition directly contacts the measurement target surface and reacts with microorganisms to produce fluorescent signals, eliminating the need for physical sample collection while enabling wide-area detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The organic dye composition acts as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between the measurement target and the detection system. The dye penetrates the microbial cell membrane and reacts with intracellular components to generate fluorescent signals, enabling indirect detection of microorganisms without direct sampling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a step of culturing microorganisms contained in a specimen is required, then the microorganism concentration can be measured, but it takes time until the result is obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the biological culturing process with a direct chemical reaction system. The organic dye composition reacts with microorganisms through hydrolysis and fluorescence emission, providing immediate detection results without requiring time-consuming culturing steps while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The organic dye composition is designed to react directly with microorganisms upon contact, performing the detection action immediately rather than requiring preliminary culturing. The dye's ability to penetrate cell membranes and react with intracellular components enables instant detection without waiting for microbial growth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If a step of collecting microbial cells using a membrane filter is required, then viable bacteria can be detected, but it takes time to prepare a specimen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpreparation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filtration using membrane filters with a direct chemical reaction approach. The organic dye composition is sprayed or applied directly to the measurement target surface and reacts with microorganisms in place, eliminating the time-consuming filtration and specimen preparation steps while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 organic dye composition allows for easy, rapid visualization of disinfection effects and the presence of microorganisms over a wide area, even in low-concentration regions, enhancing the practicality of disinfection monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

an organic dye (A) that is discolored by hydrolysis and emits fluorescence by excitation light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 550 nm or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

an organic dye (A) that is discolored by hydrolysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250154358A1Organic dye composition, and spray agent comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

One aspect of the present invention relates to an organic dye composition containing an organic dye (A) that is discolored by hydrolysis and emits fluorescence by excitation light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 550 nm or less, an alcohol (B), and water (C), in which a content rate of the organic dye (A) is 1 μmol/L or more, and a viscosity is 5 mPa·s or more and 45 mPa·s or less.