Reflected Acoustic Sensing for Container Variation in Droplet Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic droplet ejection systems face precision and accuracy issues due to variations in container characteristics, such as thickness and material consistency, which are difficult to control in manufacturing processes like injection molding, leading to inconsistent ADE results.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a transducer assembly to emit and receive acoustic signals, moving vertically and horizontally to determine characteristics of containers and samples by analyzing signal reflections, including wall thickness, acoustic impedance, and sound speed, using an acoustic lens to focus signals at convergence points, and employing a processor to calculate these properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic signals are used to determine container and sample characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for transducer assemblies and signal processing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both a transmitter of acoustic signals and a receiver of reflected signals. The same assembly is used for both characterizing empty containers and characterizing containers with samples, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the container and sample themselves as part of the measurement process. The reflected acoustic signals naturally carry information about the container walls and sample characteristics, eliminating the need for separate probing or testing mechanisms. The sample container structure serves both its primary function of holding samples and as the measurement target
2Manufacturing precision
If acoustic signals are emitted at various positions to account for container variations, then manufacturing precision compensation is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs acoustic characterization of empty containers before samples are added. This preliminary measurement captures container-specific variations in wall thickness and material properties, allowing the system to compensate for manufacturing inconsistencies before the actual sample analysis begins, thereby improving precision without significantly increasing total measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process is divided into distinct phases: first characterizing the empty container at multiple positions to map its geometric variations, then using this information to guide subsequent sample measurements. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently handle container variations without requiring exhaustive measurements at every possible position for every sample
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves the precision and accuracy of acoustic droplet ejection by accurately determining container and sample characteristics, reducing the need for costly quality control measures and ensuring consistent results across different plates and wells.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer assembly is provided capable of emitting a signal towards the bottom wall of the container and receive the corresponding signal reflected therefrom
Implementation Method 2
The transducer assembly focuses the emitted signal with an acoustic lens to a focal point
Implementation Method 3
The processor is capable of measuring a depth of the liquid sample or a thickness of the container bottom wall by identifying a time delay between a transmitted signal and a reflected signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a liquid transfer system capable of using ultrasonic sound signals to transfer liquid samples from a first container to a second container as well as using ultrasonic sound signals to measure the characteristics of both the liquid and the first container. The system uses a transducer to transmit a plurality of sound signals and receives a plurality signals reflected off the sample and the bottom wall of the container to measure the liquid and/or container characteristics. The plurality of transmitted sound signals occur during a plurality of transducer positions from the first container in which the system identifies the signal converging on various surfaces of the liquid and/or container, and uses the reflected signals corresponding to those positions to calculate the sample and container characteristics.