Particle Removal Assembly for Microbial Colony Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microbial enumeration methods, such as colony counting, are hindered by dust and debris, leading to inaccurate results due to interference with sample detection, particularly in industries like food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals where rapid and precise contamination analysis is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A particle removal assembly comprising a filter, dryer, flow controller, and outlet, which uses a controlled gas flow to remove dust and debris from sample containers, ensuring clean and dry conditions for accurate imaging and counting of microbial colonies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dust and debris are present on sample containers, then microbial enumeration can be performed, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to interference with colony counting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing dust and debris from sample containers before the microbial enumeration process. A particle removal assembly with filter, dryer, and gas flow system is used to clean the container surfaces in advance, ensuring that no particulate matter interferes with subsequent colony detection and counting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary gas flow system as a mediator to remove particles from the sample container surfaces. The gas flow, passing through a filter and dryer, acts as a cleaning medium that carries away dust and debris without directly contacting the sample, thereby preventing contamination while improving detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If gas flow rate is increased to remove particles faster, then productivity improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the gas flow rate through the particle removal assembly. The flow controller adjusts the gas flow parameters to achieve the minimum effective rate for particle removal, avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining sufficient cleaning efficiency for accurate microbial enumeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control through the flow controller that monitors and adjusts gas flow rate based on the particle removal effectiveness. This ensures the system uses only the necessary energy to achieve adequate particle removal, preventing wasteful energy consumption while maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If a filter with very low porosity is used, then particle removal efficiency improves, but gas flow capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a filter with optimized porosity that balances particle removal efficiency with gas flow capacity. The filter porosity is carefully chosen to allow sufficient gas flow for effective particle removal while maintaining the structural integrity and flow characteristics needed for the microbial enumeration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite filter materials that combine different properties to achieve both high particle removal efficiency and adequate gas flow capacity. The filter system may incorporate multiple layers or composite structures that filter particles effectively while maintaining open pathways for gas flow.
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 assembly effectively reduces particulate matter by at least 50% and water by at least 60% mass, resulting in improved accuracy and reduced false positives during microbial enumeration, enabling rapid and precise detection of microbial colonies.
Implementation Method 1
a filter, e.g., a 0.01 micron filter
Implementation Method 2
a dryer, e.g., membrane dryer
Implementation Method 3
a dryer, e.g., membrane dryer
Implementation Method 4
gas flows through the filter, dryer, and outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention features particle removal assemblies and methods for removing dust and other debris from a sample container, e.g., to improve counting colonies of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) present in environmental, pharmaceutical, biological, and other samples. An assembly of the invention includes components for particle removal, e.g., a filter, a dryer, a flow controller, and an outlet. The invention also provides methods of detecting samples after cleaning a sample container with clean and/or dry gas.