# US 7,465,560 B2 · System and method for rapid detection and characterization of bacterial colonies using forward light scattering > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,465,560 B2 - Document ID: US7465560B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/291,078 - Filed: 2005-11-30 - Published: 2006-08-03 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2004-11-30 - Assignees: Purdue Research Foundation - Inventors: Edwin D. Hirleman, Jr.; Songling Guo; Arun K. Bhunia; Euiwon Bae - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465560B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/21: Polarisation-affecting properties (G01N21/19 takes precedence) - G01N 21/47: Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection (G01N21/25, G01N21/41 take precedence {G01N21/55 takes precedence}) - G01N 21/4788: {Diffraction (for sizing particles G01N15/0205)} - G01N 2021/4707: {Forward scatter; Low angle scatter} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A system and a method of detecting and characterizing a bacterial colony are presented in which the results are determined within about 48 hours. The bacterial colony is disposed on a substrate and placed between a laser and detector. Light from the laser impinges upon and is scattered by the bacterial colony. The forward scattered light is detected by an optical detector. The signal from the optical detector is analyzed by an analyzer and displayed or supplied to a storage medium for review. As different strains of bacteria possess unique forward scattering fingerprints, the particular strain may be identified. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for the characterization of a colony of microorganisms comprising: a light source; a holder adapted to receive a solid substrate having a surface adapted for growth of colonies of microorganisms, the holder positioned such that light from the light source impinges on at least one colony grown on the solid substrate; and a film or electronic imaging optical detector disposed to obtain an image of a forward scattered light pattern from the light impinging on the colony. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the laser emits light of a visible wavelength. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light source emits light at a wavelength of 635 nm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is an array of photo detectors. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an analyzer that receives signals from the detector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, further comprising an output that transmits results from the analyzer to a storage medium or a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a polarizer, a quarter wave plate, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a filter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light source or the holder is mounted on a movable member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the analyzer further comprises a set of known signals for characterizing the signals received from the detector. ### Claim 12 A method comprising: providing at least one colony of microorganisms on a solid substrate; providing a radiation path; placing the at least one colony in the radiation path; detecting radiation that has been forward scattered by the at least one colony; obtaining an image of a forward scattered radiation pattern by a film or electronic imaging optical detector; and analyzing the image. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising comparing the image from the detected radiation to a set of known images and characterizing the colony by quantifying at least one feature of the image. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting analyzed results to a storage medium or a user. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a laser beam to provide the radiation path. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising polarizing the radiation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate comprises agar. ### Claim 18 A method of characterizing a bacterial colony, the method comprising: providing a bacterial colony on a solid substrate; providing a light source directed to the bacterial colony; providing a film or electronic imaging optical detector for receiving forward scattered light from the light source directed through the bacterial colony; detecting a forward scattered light pattern on the detector; obtaining an image of the forward scattered light pattern; analyzing the image of the forward scattered light pattern received on the detector; and taxonomically identifying the bacterial colony based on the image. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the bacterial colony is provided on an agar substrate. ### Claim 20 A system for the characterization of at least one colony of microorganisms comprising: a light source; a solid substrate having a surface adapted for growth of colonies of microorganisms positioned such that light from the light source is directed to the at least one colony grown on the solid substrate; and a film or electronical imaging optical detector disposed to obtain an image of a forward scattered light pattern from the light source directed to the at least one colony. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a scoring system adapted to score the image of the forward scattered light pattern. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the scoring system comprises a diffraction ring score. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the scoring system comprises an intensity score. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the scoring system comprises a central spot score. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21, wherein the scoring system comprises a radial pattern score. ### Claim 26 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, comprising analyzing the image by quantifying at least one feature of the image. ### Claim 27 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising taxonomically identifying a bacterial colony using the image. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, comprising quantifying at least one of a diffraction ring score, an intensity score, a central spot score, and a radial pattern score. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein analyzing the image further comprises quantifying a feature of the image and providing a score.