Title: Method and apparatus for measuring biofilm thickness and topology

Abstract

An apparatus and method of measuring biofilm and biological activity on a surface is disclosed. The apparatus includes a biofilm, which includes one or more microorganisms, grown on a substrate. A viewing window is placed on a surface of the biofilm and a gas bubble is introduced between the viewing window and the surface of the biofilm. The space between the substrate and the viewing window may be enclosed in a casing that has an inlet and an outlet, forming a flow cell. A microscope system, such as a white light interferometer, captures data of the biofilm in situ and non-destructively. The 3D images of biofilm surface have high resolution while maintaining a large field of view. The apparatuses and methods will be useful for fundamental studies of biofilms, biomedical and environmental screening, and many other applications in biology and the life sciences.

Inventors:

Larimer, Curtis J.; Suter, Jonathan D.; Addleman, Raymond S.; Bonheyo, George T.; Brann, Michelle R.

Issue Date:

2018-06-26

Research Org.:

Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1460555

Patent Number(s):

10005999

Application Number:

15/071,921

Assignee:

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE (Richland, WA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

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C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M29/10 - {Perfusion}
C12M23/22 - {Transparent or translucent parts

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

G01B9/0209 - {Non-tomographic low coherence interferometers, e.g. low coherence interferometry, scanning white light interferometry, optical frequency domain interferometry or reflectometry}

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M41/36 - {of biomass, e.g. colony counters or by turbidity measurements

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

G01B11/0675 - {using interferometry}

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M23/58 - {Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

G01B9/02021 - {contacting different faces of object, e.g. opposite faces}

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M23/12 - {Well or multiwell plates

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01B - MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS

G01B11/2441 - {using interferometry}

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12M - APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY

C12M41/48 - {Automatic or computerized control
C12M41/46 - {of cellular or enzymatic activity or functionality, e.g. cell viability}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N33/48 - Biological material, e.g. blood, urine

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC0576RL01830

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2016 Mar 16

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English