Organism Evaluation System for Real-Time Viability Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring organism viability and identification in water systems, such as ballast water treatment and fish monitoring, face challenges in accuracy, speed, and portability, particularly in field applications, and lack effective means for real-time assessment of marine life presence.
Innovation Solution
An organism evaluation system that includes a microorganism stimulation section to induce a motive response in living organisms, a flow normalizing section to isolate self-generated movement, and a viewing section with an optical system for image data acquisition and analysis, enabling real-time counting and identification of organisms within a water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow cytometry systems are used for organism counting, then throughput is improved, but viability determination capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the evaluation process into separate functional modules: a flow cytometry-based counting system for high-throughput quantity determination, and a separate viability assessment system using inertial stimulation and image analysis. This segmentation allows each module to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between throughput and viability determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inertial stimulation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the flow cytometry counting system and the viability assessment. This intermediary component selectively stimulates living organisms to produce detectable motion responses, enabling the system to distinguish viable from non-viable organisms after counting, thus maintaining both high throughput and accurate viability determination.
2Measurement precision
If manual microscope examination is used for compliance assessment, then measurement precision is improved, but speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the microorganisms through the inertial stimulation and viewing mechanism, replacing the need for direct manual microscope examination. These captured images can be analyzed automatically or reviewed, providing the same measurement precision as manual examination while dramatically increasing assessment speed through automated image processing and reduced observer burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual examination process with an automated inertial stimulation and optical imaging system. The mechanical action of the inertial stimulation device induces characteristic motions in living organisms that are captured optically, substituting the manual microscope examination with an automated system that maintains accuracy while improving throughput.
3Ease of operation
If field or deployed uses are implemented, then portability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service principles by using the organisms' own inertial characteristics and natural responses to stimulation as the measurement basis. The inertial stimulation mechanism exploits the organisms' inherent physical properties to generate detectable signals, eliminating the need for complex external measurement systems and maintaining measurement precision even in portable field deployment conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the inertial stimulation mechanism to optimize performance for field conditions. By adjusting stimulation parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and duration, the system can adapt to different environmental conditions and organism types, maintaining measurement precision across various portability scenarios without requiring laboratory-grade equipment.
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 system provides accurate, rapid, and portable means for determining organism viability and species identification, enhancing compliance testing and optimizing water treatment operations by enabling real-time monitoring of microorganisms and marine life.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial stimulation mechanism that induces self-generated motion in living microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
an optical system for capturing image data
Data Source
AI summary
An organism evaluation system for analyzing organisms within a fluid flow, comprising one or more of a stimulation section comprising a means for inducing a motive response in a living organism within the fluid flow passing through the stimulation section and a shepherding section comprising a means for separating such an organism from the fluid flow, a flow normalizing section in fluid communication with the stimulation section and/or shepherding section, and a viewing section in fluid communication with the flow normalizing section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through a cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and organisms therein is acquired via the optical system for analysis.