Sensor Foil for In-Situ Microorganism Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting microorganisms on surfaces, such as the paddle test, are time-consuming, require sample transfer to a laboratory, and provide delayed results, leading to potential distortion in the actual distribution and quantity of microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sensor foil with an oxygen-permeable layer doped with an oxygen indicator dye, attached to the surface in an airtight manner, which detects oxygen consumption by microorganisms through emission analysis, providing rapid and in-situ results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the paddle test is used to detect microorganisms, then the detection can be performed, but the detection time is long (up to two days) and sample transfer to laboratory is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor foil is pre-loaded with oxygen during manufacturing, enabling immediate detection upon application to the surface. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent incubation periods and sample transfer, allowing rapid in-situ detection of microorganism respiration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/sample-transfer-based paddle test with an optical detection system. The oxygen indicator dye emits light that is detected by a detection element, substituting the need for physical sample transfer and incubation with a direct optical measurement of oxygen consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the paddle test is used, then microorganisms can be detected, but the actual distribution and quantity of microorganisms is distorted due to proliferation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the proliferation process. Instead of relying on microorganism multiplication to make them detectable, the system directly detects oxygen consumption by living microorganisms, preserving the original spatial distribution and quantity information without distortion from growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen indicator dye serves as an intermediary that translates biological respiration into an optical signal. This mediator enables direct detection of microorganism presence and distribution without requiring them to proliferate, thus maintaining accurate information about their actual quantity and spatial arrangement.
3Measurement precision
If sample transfer to laboratory is required, then detection can be performed, but the detection is not carried out in situ and results are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection system with the surface being tested. The sensor foil is applied directly to the surface and performs detection in-situ, combining the sampling and detection functions into a single integrated operation, eliminating the need for separate sample transfer and laboratory processing steps.
4Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then microorganisms can be detected through proliferation, but the detection is based on turbidity from increased cell material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from turbidity (based on cell material accumulation) to oxygen consumption (based on respiratory activity). This parameter change enables direct detection of living microorganisms and their spatial distribution without the distortions introduced by proliferation and cell material accumulation.
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 method allows for quick and accurate detection of microorganisms, providing information on their presence, absence, or vitality within a short period, without the need for sample transfer or prolonged incubation.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen indicator dye, loaded with oxygen and faces the at least one portion of the surface... exciting the oxygen indicator dye in the oxygen-permeable layer with an excitation light... detecting an emission of the oxygen indicator dye transmitted through the oxygen-impermeable at least partially transparent read-out carrier layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an arrangement, for detecting microorganisms on a surface are disclosed. At least a portion of the surface is covered with a sensor foil in an airtight manner. An oxygen-permeable layer of the sensor foil is doped with an oxygen indicator dye, loaded with oxygen and faces the at least one portion of the surface. An excitation light passes through an oxygen-impermeable at least partially transparent read-out carrier layer of the foil to the dye in the oxygen-permeable layer which is then excited by the excitation light. An emission of the oxygen indicator dye) transmitted through the carrier layer is detected by a detection element over or after a period of time (t). The emission of the oxygen indicator dye from the oxygen-permeable layer is indicative of the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms from the oxygen-permeable layer covering the at least one portion of the surface.