Spraying Device with Absorbent Pad for Microbial Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microbiological analysis methods are slow due to lengthy incubation periods, and existing rapid detection devices face challenges in preventing contamination of the analysis chamber by volatile reagent droplets, which can interact with extraneous ATP, leading to false readings.
Innovation Solution
A spraying device with a confinement bell and absorbent pad that confines the reagent droplets within a spraying chamber, ensuring only a controlled portion of the jet reaches the analysis surface, preventing contamination and allowing for simultaneous grouping of the measuring and spraying stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spraying device operates in ambient air without confinement, then the reagent can be easily applied to the membrane, but the volatile droplets contaminate the analysis chamber and measuring station, leading to false readings
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the spraying operation into a separate spraying chamber enclosed by a bell, distinct from the analysis chamber. This segmentation allows reagent application to occur in an isolated space, preventing droplet contamination of the measuring station while maintaining ease of operation through the simple bell-down configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent pad acts as an intermediary element positioned at the base of the bell. It captures and absorbs excess reagent droplets that do not pass through the membrane, preventing them from contaminating the analysis chamber. The pad serves as a barrier between the spraying operation and the measurement environment
2Device complexity
If the measuring and spraying stations are grouped into the same chamber, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases due to volatile droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The device groups measuring and spraying stations in the same physical device but segments them into separate operational chambers. The bell creates a temporary enclosed spraying chamber that is spatially distinct from the analysis chamber, allowing both functions to coexist without cross-contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent pad creates a controlled environment at the base of the spraying chamber by actively absorbing volatile droplets. This effectively creates an inert zone that prevents contamination pathways, allowing the two stations to share the same device housing without compromising analysis integrity
3Measurement precision
If more reagent is sprayed to ensure complete coverage, then detection accuracy improves, but contamination of extraneous surfaces increases, causing false positive readings
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent pad converts the harmful effect of excess reagent droplets into a beneficial function. By deliberately placing an absorbent material in the path of overspray, the device captures contaminating droplets and redirects them away from the analysis chamber, transforming potential false readings into a controlled absorption process
Solution Approach 2:
The pad serves as an intermediary barrier that intercepts excess reagent before it can reach extraneous surfaces. This mediator layer allows complete membrane coverage with reagent while preventing the harmful spillover that would cause false positives in the analysis chamber
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 configuration ensures accurate and reliable microbiological analysis by preventing extraneous ATP contamination, allowing for rapid detection without compromising the analysis chamber's integrity, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the microbiological analysis process.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent pad mounted against said bell transversely to said jet and closing said chamber from the opposite side to said nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle for emitting a jet of droplets of said reagent into a spraying chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The device for spraying a reagent onto a support (81) adapted to retain microorganisms on a predetermined surface (82), comprises a spraying bell (3) as well as a nozzle (71) for emitting a jet of droplets of said reagent into a spraying chamber (34) comprised by said bell (3), said device also comprising an absorbent pad (5) mounted against said bell (3) transversely to said jet and closing said chamber (34) from the opposite side to said nozzle (71) with the exception of a circular central opening (51) provided in said pad (5), the diameter of said central opening (51) being adapted to enable a portion of said jet, when said device faces said support (81) and is at a predetermined distance therefrom, to pass through said central opening (51) over its entire area and be deposited on the whole of said predetermined surface (82) of said support (81).