Viable Microbe Detection Using Multi-Parametric Growth Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapid identification technologies fail to differentiate between living and dead microbes, affecting the calculation of bacteria growth in biological specimens and limiting the ability to promptly change antimicrobials for better clinical outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-parametric method involving broth culture, growth assessments, sub-culturing, PCR, and artificial intelligence to determine viable microbial organisms, calculate microbial burden, and assess response to antibiotics, using colorimetric assay, pH assay, impedance matching, and nomogram analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If DNA-based diagnostics or PCR are used for rapid detection, then detection speed is improved, but the ability to differentiate between live and dead cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple independent assessment parameters (growth assessment, metabolic activity, membrane integrity, DNA content) rather than relying on a single DNA-based test. This allows differentiation between viable and non-viable cells by evaluating multiple characteristics simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional DNA detection to multi-dimensional cellular assessment by incorporating metabolic activity measurements, membrane integrity tests, and growth assessments alongside DNA content analysis. This dimensional expansion enables discrimination between live and dead cells while maintaining rapid detection capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If traditional culture methods are used for microbial identification, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary growth assessments and metabolic activity measurements on the clinical specimen directly, before committing to extended culture periods. This preliminary action provides early indicators of viability and guides subsequent testing, reducing the overall time required while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-functional assay system that simultaneously evaluates growth potential, metabolic activity, membrane integrity, and DNA content using integrated methodologies. This universal approach consolidates multiple traditional testing steps into a coordinated protocol, improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision.
3Productivity
If rapid detection technologies are used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters being measured from单一的DNA presence to multiple viability-related parameters including metabolic activity levels, membrane integrity status, and growth assessment metrics. This parameter transformation enables rapid detection technologies to achieve both speed and precision in viability differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metabolic activity assays and membrane integrity tests as intermediary measurements that bridge the gap between rapid DNA detection and traditional viability assessment. These intermediary tests provide additional information about cellular state without requiring extended culture times, thereby maintaining both productivity and measurement precision.
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
Enables rapid and accurate differentiation between living and dead microbes, allowing for timely adjustment of antibiotics based on microbial growth and response, thereby improving clinical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
growth assessments, using colorimetric assay
Implementation Method 2
pH assay
Implementation Method 3
impedance matching
Implementation Method 4
quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-parametric method for identification, quantification and in-vivo response assessment of viable microbial organism from biological specimens. The proposed method uses multiple parameters for identification of viable microbial organisms from biological specimens. The proposed method utilizes live media for the first few cycles of bacterial growth in the biological sample. The proposed method determines the microbial burden based on the biological doubling time of a microbe as determined by the nomogram. The proposed method performs growth assessment based on Chromomeric dissociation, impedance matching, pH assay and turbidity assay, during the transport of the biological sample. The proposed method avoids measuring dead pathogens/microbes for effective assessment of the biological sample to determine the dose, frequency and nature of the antibiotics that are appropriate to achieve control of microbial infection.