Method and apparatus for detecting microorganisms

摘要

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting and/or identifying the presence of microorganisms in samples, including the following stages: obtaining a database which establishes a correlation between at least one parameter and a plurality of microorganisms, among which said microorganism is included; analyzing said sample in a calorimeter which supplies an electrical signal proportional to the energy given off by said sample; obtaining a curve which relates said electrical signal with respect to time; extracting from said curve at least one parameter indicative of the behavior of said microorganism; and comparing said parameter extracted from said curve with said parameter contained in said database to establish a conclusion as to the presence of said microorganism in said sample. The stage of extracting at least one parameter indicative of the behavior of said microorganism from said curve can include the division of said curve into at least two sections and the mathematical adjustment of each of said sections to two different mathematical equations, at least one of said sections adjusted to an exponential equation and/or at least another one of said sections is adjusted to a polynomial equation.