Microorganism evaluation system
First Claim
1. A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising:
- a microorganism stimulation section comprising a disorientation spiral having a spiral inner bore defining a first cross-sectional area and thereby allowing for a first flow rate therethrough of the fluid flow, the disorientation spiral configured for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing therethrough; and
a viewing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, a viewing section body inlet and an opposite viewing section body outlet both being further formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity and provide an unobstructed flow path therebetween through the viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, the optical system being a camera-like device capable of acquiring image data;
further wherein;
the viewing section is configured in cooperation with the optical system such that multiple frames of image data relating to the fluid flow and a discrete microorganism therein are acquired via the optical system for analysis, movement of a microorganism relative to the fluid flow in response to flow through the disorientation spiral as per the acquired image data being indicative of microorganism viability; and
wherein;
the viewing port of the viewing section defines a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area and thereby causing a second flow rate therethrough of the fluid flow to be less than the first flow rate, whereby the fluid flow through the viewing port is rendered relatively slow and laminar, thereby contributing to acquisition of the multiple frames of image data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising a microorganism stimulation section comprising a means for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing through the microorganism stimulation section, and a viewing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and microorganisms therein is acquired via the optical system for analysis.
22 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising:
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a microorganism stimulation section comprising a disorientation spiral having a spiral inner bore defining a first cross-sectional area and thereby allowing for a first flow rate therethrough of the fluid flow, the disorientation spiral configured for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing therethrough; and a viewing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, a viewing section body inlet and an opposite viewing section body outlet both being further formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity and provide an unobstructed flow path therebetween through the viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening, the optical system being a camera-like device capable of acquiring image data;
further wherein;the viewing section is configured in cooperation with the optical system such that multiple frames of image data relating to the fluid flow and a discrete microorganism therein are acquired via the optical system for analysis, movement of a microorganism relative to the fluid flow in response to flow through the disorientation spiral as per the acquired image data being indicative of microorganism viability; and
wherein;the viewing port of the viewing section defines a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area and thereby causing a second flow rate therethrough of the fluid flow to be less than the first flow rate, whereby the fluid flow through the viewing port is rendered relatively slow and laminar, thereby contributing to acquisition of the multiple frames of image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising:
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a means for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow; a flow normalizing section comprising an inlet chute having a tapered inlet chute inner bore; and a viewing section in fluid communication with and downstream of the flow normalizing section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, a viewing section body inlet and an opposite viewing section body outlet both being further formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity and provide an unobstructed flow path therebetween through the viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening;
further wherein;the viewing section is configured in cooperation with the flow normalizing section and the optical system such that multiple frames of image data relating to the fluid flow and a discrete microorganism therein are acquired via the optical system for analysis, movement of a microorganism in response to the means for inducing as detected in the viewing section being indicative of microorganism viability. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A microorganism evaluation system for analyzing microorganisms within a fluid flow, comprising:
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a sample pre-conditioning section; a microorganism stimulation section in fluid communication with the sample pre-conditioning section, the microorganism stimulation section comprising a disorientation spiral for inducing a motive response in a living microorganism within the fluid flow passing through the disorientation spiral; a flow normalizing section in fluid communication with the microorganism stimulation section, the flow normalizing section comprising an inlet chute having a tapered inlet chute inner bore; and a viewing section in fluid communication with the flow normalizing section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port visible through a cavity first opening formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity, a viewing section body inlet and an opposite viewing section body outlet both being further formed in the body so as to be in communication with the body cavity and provide an unobstructed flow path therebetween through the viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through the cavity first opening;
further wherein;the viewing section is configured in cooperation with the flow normalizing section and the optical system such that at least ten frames of image data relating to the fluid flow and a discrete microorganism therein are acquired via the optical system for analysis, movement of a microorganism in response to passing through the disorientation spiral as detected in the viewing section being indicative of microorganism viability.
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Specification