Real Time Optical Detection of Bacteria

摘要

A system and method for the detection of bacteria on a sample, utilises spectroscopic analysis of the sample and the fluorescent properties of bacteria or other substance(s) or matter associated with the bacteria to identify the presence of bacteria on the sample. A detector analyses light emitted from the sample in response to illumination. The detector 5 is arranged to analyse the emission spectra across two wavebands, a first waveband containing the wavelengths associated with the fluorescent properties of the bacterial species or other substance or matter to be detected, and a second waveband excluding these wavelengths but also having an overlapping region with the first waveband.

主权项

1. A method for detecting the presence of bacteria in or on an illuminated sample, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a first signal indicative of intensity of light emitted from the sample across a first waveband, the first waveband containing one or more wavelengths associated with the fluorescent properties of the bacteria or a substance associated with the bacteria to be detected, receiving a second signal indicative of intensity of light emitted from the sample across a second waveband excluding the one or more wavelengths associated with the fluorescent properties, said first and second wavebands having overlapping regions, comparing the first signal to the second signal, and identifying the presence of the bacteria when an output of the comparison conforms with a predetermined threshold criteria.