CA2408963A1 - Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer - Google Patents

Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2408963A1
CA2408963A1 CA002408963A CA2408963A CA2408963A1 CA 2408963 A1 CA2408963 A1 CA 2408963A1 CA 002408963 A CA002408963 A CA 002408963A CA 2408963 A CA2408963 A CA 2408963A CA 2408963 A1 CA2408963 A1 CA 2408963A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
signal
incubation
detection
detector
sample
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002408963A
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French (fr)
Inventor
Ron Emburgh
Ravi Kanipayor
Wayne M. Obie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aquasure Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Aquasure Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aquasure Technologies Inc filed Critical Aquasure Technologies Inc
Priority to CA002408963A priority Critical patent/CA2408963A1/en
Publication of CA2408963A1 publication Critical patent/CA2408963A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12QMEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS; COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
    • C12Q1/00Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
    • C12Q1/02Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving viable microorganisms
    • C12Q1/04Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M41/00Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation
    • C12M41/30Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration
    • C12M41/36Means for regulation, monitoring, measurement or control, e.g. flow regulation of concentration of biomass, e.g. colony counters or by turbidity measurements

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Proteomics, Peptides & Aminoacids (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By The Use Of Chemical Reactions (AREA)

Abstract

A rapid method for the single and multiple sampling analysis of microbiological parameters providing for simultaneous incubation with detection and quantification of contamination in much less time than current methods. At present, microbial analysis requires a minimum of 24 hours for incubation. This 24 hour period is increased substantially where transportation to and from the laboratory is required.
This invention decreases the period of time substantially to obtain accurate result analysis and with software provides real time results to anywhere from even remote areas in a fraction of the time of current testing technologies.

Description

RAPID METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF MICROBIOLOGICAL
PARAMETERS USING NON-INTRUSIVE IN-VESSEL
SIMULTANEOUS INCUBATION AND DETECTION
DESCRIPTION - SUMMARY OF INVENTION
1. This invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for the rapid detection and quantification of microbiological materials in samples.
2. The present invention details the method whereby ~:~ A sample is placed inside a specimen container, which is then placed inside an incubator-detector apparatus.
~:~ A chemical or biological reagent is mixed with the sample inside the specimen bottle :~ An active ingredient within the reagent provides the detectable parameters such as colour, fluorescence, turbidity, chemiluminescence etc.
~.~ The detectable parameters provide the detectable signal.
~:~ The incubation and the detection process are initiated and the detectable signal reaching the detectors 1 is monitored and recorded.
3. The present invention details the incubator-detector comprising of:
d~ A housing ~:~ An incubation system i;ontaining a heating element, a temperature sensor and heating controller positioned within the housing.
~.~ A detection system positioned within the housing includes a. a detector placed proximal to the specimen container.
b. a signal emitting source proximal to the specimen container.
~:~ The specimen container is made up of a material, which allows the propagation of the signal.
~:~ The temperature controller maintains the temperature of the sample within the preset range.
~:~ The signal-emitting source may be light emitter.
~:~ The signal-emitting source may be of electrical signal emitter.
4. The sample may absorb the signal passing through the sample container.
5. The sample may absorb the signal passing through the sample container and emit a different signal
6. The sample may scatter the signal passing through the sample container.
7. The signal passes through the specimen container at any angle or direction.
8. In another method the chemical or biological reagent inside the specimen container produces a detectable signal through chemical or physical changes.
9. The present invention also includes other methods in which the detectable signal may be other than light or electrical in nature.
10. The incubator-detector may incorporate a single detection system.
11. The incubator-detector may incorporate a multiple detection system.
12. The signal-producing device within the apparatus may be of physical or chemical in nature.
In one such embodiment, the present invention comprises of a rapid method to detect and quantify bacteria in fluid samples such as water. In this device an appropriate light emitting source and a detector is place proximal to the specimen bottle within the housing of the apparatus. The specimen bottle contains the test sample and a reagent, which provides the test signal (e.g., colour, fluorescence etc.). While the sample undergo incubation the said detector monitor the light from the source passing through the sample and the specimen container. The detector is connected to an appropriate measuring and recording device such as multimeter, computer or any other device, which can measmc, and record the output signal from the detector. This provides a non-intrusive continuous incubation and measurement of the parameter under investigation and the ability to transmit real time result analysis.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The invention will now describe, by way of examples only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a sectional front view of the incubator-detector in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional front view of the incubator-detector detailing the configuration of'tl~e detection system.
Figure 3 is a sectional front view of an alternative embodiment of the incubation-detection apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
APPARATUS
Figure I illustrates the sectional front view of the incubation-detection apparatus 10, which is a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. This comprises a housing 15, a heating element 20, a temperature sensor 25, a sample holder 28, a signal-emitting source 30, a signal detector 35 and a control chamber 40.
Housing I S is generally cylindrical enclosure consists of a base unit 45 and a removable cap S0. As an option, the housing 15 can be insulated and blackened inside. Base unit 45 defines a cylindrical control chamber 40. The top wall 55 of the base unit 45 is provided with an open-ended cylindrical lip 60 extending outwardly from the control chamber 40. Removable cap 50 is generally cylindrical with a closed top and an open-ended bottom. The removable cap 50 is placed over the base unit such that the open end of the cap fits snugly around the cylindrical lip 60.
With the cap snugly placed over the base 'unit 45, the removable cap 50 and the top wall 55 of the base unit 45 define an incubation-detection chamber 65. A cylindrical specimen sample holder 28 which sits firmly over the top wall 55 of the base unit 45 has a cylindrical base 70 and an open-ended cylindrical wall 72. The sample holder base 70 has suitable cavity 74 extending upwards to accommodate heating element 20 and a suitable cavity 76 extending upwards to accommodate temperature sensor 25. The thermally efficient cap 50 may be double walled with vacuum or inert gas between the walls. This provides a very efficient thermal insulation within the incubation-detection chamber 65. It also provides an efficient black box (dark room) for optical detection and measurement.
A heating element 20 is mounted inside the cavity 74 of the sample holder 28 extending upwards within the cavity.
A temperature sensor 25 is also mounted inside the cavity 76 of the sample holder 28 extending upwards within the cavity. The temperature sensor 25 may comprise a thermistor 26 placed inside the cavity 76 near the open--end at the top of the cavity.
Specimen container 80 comprises a specimen cap 82 and a specimen bottle 84.
The specimen bottle is generally cylindrical with heating cavity 86 and sensor cavity 88 to accommodate sample holder cavities 74 and 76 respectively.
Control chamber 40 comprises a power source 90, heating controller 92 and detection controller 94. The power source 90 can be any suitable power source known in the art.
Heating controller 92 maintains a constant preset temperature range within the sample. Optionally it may comprise a timer (not shown) for measuring the incubation time from the start and to deactivate the heating at the end of a preset time.
The detection controller 94 contrals the operation of the detection system. It activates and deactivates and may pulses the signal emitting source 30. It will measure and process the signal generated at the detector. The signal processed may be of electrical in nature. The detection controller 94 may indicate the end of the test through a light and or audio signal. It also communicates with external signal manipulators such as multimeters, computers etc.
Figure2 illustrates the sectional front view of the sample holder 2$ of the incubator-detector 10 detailing the detection system configuration. The cylindrical specimen sample holder 28 has a cylindrical base 70 and an open-ended cylindrical wall 72. A
cylindrical black box jacket 100 is sealed to the inside of the cylindrical wall 72 of the sample holder. Optionally, the cylindrical wall 72 of the sample holder itself can be extended upwards to provide the black box. The height of the jacket 100 or the wall 72 is such that when the specimen container 80 placed within the sample holder the specimen cap 82 will rest on the top of the jacket 100 or the wall 72 and the sample bottle 84 will be completely surrounded by the black box.
In one such configuration, the sample holder base 70 provides a suitable aperture 110 or 118 for the signal-emitting source 30. The signal-emitting source is placed in such a way that the light emitting from the source travels pass the aperture 110 or 118 and upwardly (the direction of the propagation is shown by arrow 1 or 4) through the specimen container. The jacket 100 provides a suitable aperture 112 or 120 for the signal detector 35. The detector is placed in such a way that the detector window face towards the sample bottle to reactive any signal propagating toward it (shown by the arrow 2 or 5). Optionally, the detector 35 can be strategically placed at 90-degree angle with respect to the signal-emitting source 30.
In another configuration the jacket 100 provides suitable apertures 115 and 117 for the signal-emitting source 30 and signal detector 35 respectively. In this configuration the light emitting from the sourcE; 30 traverse pass the aperture 115 and horizontally (the direction of the propagation is shown by the arrow 3) through the specimen container and pass the aperturf: 117 to the detector 35.
An alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 3. It is similar to the preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 1 & 2 except for the following modifications to the sample holder 28 of the preferred embodiment.
A cylindrical specimen sample holder 150 which sits firmly over the top wall 55 of the base unit 45 has a cylindrical base 155 and an open-ended cylindrical wall 160.
The sample holder base 155 has a suitable cavity 170 extending upwards to accommodate temperature controller 180. The temperature controller may be a bimetal switch or any other suitable device, which can activate and deactivate the heating element.
A heating element 200 is mounted within the open ended cylindrical wall 160 of the sample holder 150. The heating element 200 may comprise a resistor, resistor wire, resistor coil, resistor foil etc. In the case of resistor wire 200 as shown in Figure 3, the length of the wire is dictated by the resistor temperature and the ohm per foot rating of the wire.
Specimen container 80 comprises a specimen cap 82 and a specimen bottle 84.
The specimen bottle is generally cylindrical with a cavity 220 to accommodate sample holder cavity 170.

Heating controller 92 maintains a constant preset temperature range within the sample. Optionally it may comprise a timer (not shown) for measuring the incubation time from the start and to deactivate the heating at the end of a preset time.
TEST METHOD
In a preferred embodiment such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 the test sample is mixed with an appropriate reagent inside the specimen bottle 84. The reagent may be of chemical or biological in nature and provide a detectable parameter such as a colour, fluorescence, turbidity etc that indicates the presence or absence of the microbiological material under investigation.
After fastening the specimen cap 82 to specimen bottle 84, the specimen container 80 is placed inside the sample holder 28 as shown in Figure 2. Once the removable cap 50 is put back on the apparatus 10 the incubation-detection chamber 65 provides the black box (dark room) condition for photometric detection.
Activating the start button on the apparatus activates the incubation cycle and the detection process. Optionally, a separated activation button can be used to activate the detection process at a pre-determined time after the start of the incubation.
Activation of the detection process may include turning the power to the signal emitting source 30 and detector 35, pulsing the signal emission and monitoring the signal output of the detector.
While the heating controller 92 brings and maintains the sample within the preset range the detection controller 94 continuously monitor the output signal from the detector. A suitable data manipulator and recorder connected to the detection controller 94 will record the signal either continuously or at a pre determined intervals.
The external data manipulator and recorder can be any suitable device such as multi-meters, computers etc.
A significant deviation of the output signal from the initial base line is an indication of the presence of the parameter under investigation while the time needed to reach the significant deviation from the start provides an indication of the original amount of the test parameter.
The end of the test can be indicated through a light and or audio signals or can be controlled through a software program.
It will be appreciated that the incubator~etector may be provided with multiple detection systems. Figure 2 illustrates an example of 3 separate configurations possible within the incubation-detection apparatus 10 made in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As well, the spatial configuration of the various detection systems within the housing of the incubation-detection apparatus may be altered significantly Without departing from the present invention.
Also each detection system can be configured for detecting different test parameters and can be operated independently or simultaneously.

Claims

CA002408963A 2002-11-06 2002-11-06 Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer Abandoned CA2408963A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002408963A CA2408963A1 (en) 2002-11-06 2002-11-06 Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002408963A CA2408963A1 (en) 2002-11-06 2002-11-06 Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2408963A1 true CA2408963A1 (en) 2004-05-06

Family

ID=32399755

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002408963A Abandoned CA2408963A1 (en) 2002-11-06 2002-11-06 Automated multi-tasking incubator-spectrophotometer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2408963A1 (en)

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