UVC Disinfection for Cell Culture Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell culture imaging systems are laborious to maintain and require stringent aseptic conditions, posing risks of contamination from pathogens, and lack efficient methods for disinfection, especially in laboratory settings where pathogens can be inadvertently released or spilled.
Innovation Solution
The integration of UVC light systems, specifically emitting wavelengths between 200-280 nanometers, combined with air movement devices and reflective surfaces, to disinfect the imaging system, along with the use of various optical elements such as lenses, cameras, and holographic microscopy for enhanced imaging and data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cell culture imaging systems are placed in laboratories where cell culture vessels are handled, then imaging functionality is provided, but pathogens may be inadvertently released or spilled onto the imager, creating contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate functional zones: a clean imaging chamber and a contamination-prone access area. The imager door creates a physical barrier that segments the internal imaging environment from the external laboratory environment, allowing imaging operations while protecting against pathogen contamination during vessel handling.
Solution Approach 2:
A HEPA-filtered air flow system acts as an intermediary between the external laboratory environment and the internal imaging chamber. The filtered air creates a protective barrier that allows the imager to function in laboratory settings while preventing pathogen contamination of both the instrument and cell cultures.
2Reliability
If disinfection procedures are implemented to protect against pathogen contamination, then contamination risks are reduced, but the system requires additional complexity and may interfere with imaging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The imager performs self-disinfection using integrated UV-C light sources that automatically activate when the door is closed. The system monitors its own contamination risk and initiates disinfection cycles without requiring external intervention, maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Disinfection is performed periodically rather than continuously - specifically, UV-C lights activate automatically when the door is closed for predetermined periods. This periodic action provides adequate contamination protection while avoiding interference with imaging operations and reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If UV-C lights are used for disinfection, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but the lights may not effectively reach all internal surfaces and air-borne pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
A fan-driven air circulation system moves air currents throughout the imaging chamber, forcing air-borne pathogens into contact with UV-C light paths. The pneumatic movement of air ensures comprehensive exposure of airborne contaminants to the disinfection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static surface disinfection to three-dimensional air volume disinfection by using UV-C lights positioned to irradiate air currents throughout the chamber volume. This volumetric approach ensures pathogens anywhere in the air space are inactivated, not just those on surfaces.
4Reliability
If manual disinfection procedures are used, then some contamination protection is provided, but the process is laborious and requires highly trained personnel under stringent aseptic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The imager automatically performs disinfection cycles using integrated UV-C lights and air circulation systems when the door is closed for predetermined periods. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual disinfection by trained personnel, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high reliability in contamination protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical disinfection procedures are replaced with an automated photodisinfection system. The UV-C lights and electronic control system substitute for human operators performing manual cleaning, eliminating the need for highly trained personnel while providing more consistent and reliable contamination protection.
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 solution provides effective disinfection of imaging systems, reduces contamination risks, and enables advanced cell culture monitoring and data acquisition, improving process consistency, repeatability, and quality control while allowing for detailed cell analysis and prediction of cell growth patterns.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet light (UV) that operates at wavelengths between 200-280 nanometers (nm) is typically described as being in the UV 'C' band. The light in this type of spectrum is not visible to the human eye and can be used to kill or inactivate pathogens in an imaging system.
Implementation Method 2
moving mirrors and stationary mirrors and other stationary reflective surfaces can be used to reflect the light over more surfaces and spaces
Implementation Method 3
the effectiveness of the lamps can be improved by adding air movement devices such as fans or blowers to move the air and therefore the pathogens into the path of the UVC light
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for disinfecting a laboratory instrument having a housing with pathogens therein. A plurality of UVC light sources are provided in the housing and the pathogens in the housing are moved relative to the light from the UVC light sources.