Redox Sensor Microbial Susceptibility Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting anti-infective resistance in microorganisms are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and require costly equipment, limiting their effectiveness in quickly identifying susceptible microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving filters with redox-active sensors to detect the susceptibility of infectious agents to anti-infectives by monitoring oxidation reduction potentials (ORPs) in the absence of reporter molecules, allowing for rapid assessment without complex equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated inspection instruments are used to reduce clinician error, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex automated instruments and implements it using simple redox sensors that directly measure oxidation-reduction potential changes in the growth medium. This eliminates the need for complex optical systems, transparent electrodes, and bulky detection equipment while maintaining reliable detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive redox sensors that can be easily replaced rather than complex expensive instruments. The sensors use simple redox-active materials that provide reliable detection without requiring maintenance of complex optical or electronic systems, effectively using low-cost disposable elements to achieve high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If optical read-out equipment is used for sample detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical detection systems with electrochemical redox sensing. Instead of using light-based optical read-out equipment, the system uses redox sensors that measure electrical potential changes in the growth medium, substituting a simpler electrochemical measurement system for the complex optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses redox sensors that detect changes in oxidation-reduction potential as a proxy for microbial growth and anti-infective susceptibility. This creates an electrical signal copy of the biological activity that can be measured precisely without requiring complex optical equipment.
3Ease of operation
If manual interpretation of detection panels is performed, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases and error risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback through redox sensors that continuously monitor oxidation-reduction potential changes and provide real-time data on microbial growth and anti-infective susceptibility. This automated feedback system eliminates manual interpretation while maintaining operational simplicity, enabling rapid detection without requiring skilled personnel to manually read panels.
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, accurate, and cost-effective detection of anti-infective susceptibility, reducing the risk of resistance development and improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring a change in an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of the solution using a parameter analyzer to assess the susceptibility
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, systems and methods of detecting a susceptibility of one or more infectious agents to one or more anti-infectives are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of detecting the susceptibility of the infectious agents to the anti-infectives involves introducing a sample comprising the infectious agents to a filter comprising a filter surface. The filter surface can be configured to capture the infectious agents in the sample. The method can also involve introducing a solution to the filter surface such that the solution is in fluid communication with the infectious agents captured on the filter surface. The solution can comprise nutrients and one or more anti-infectives. The method can further involve monitoring an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of the solution using one or more parameter analyzers coupled to a sensor currently in fluid communication with the solution to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agents to the anti-infectives.