Analyte Concentration Analysis via 2D Fourier Transform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining analyte concentrations in fluids, such as turbidimetric and nephelometric assays, face challenges with low signal strength and high susceptibility to errors when dealing with small sample volumes, making it difficult to accurately measure analyte concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a measuring chamber filled with a fluid and particles, where a two-dimensional image of the interference pattern is detected, subjected to digital bandpass filtering, and then analyzed through two-dimensional Fourier transformation to enhance signal processing and accurately determine analyte concentrations using an empirically determined calibration curve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If filtering methods are used to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement accuracy is improved, but susceptibility to errors remains high due to weak signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional signal filtering to two-dimensional spatial frequency analysis. By capturing the interference pattern as a 2D image and applying 2D Fourier transformation, the method extracts analyte concentration information from spatial frequency components across the entire field of view, rather than attempting to filter a weak 1D signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct signal intensity to spatial frequency distribution. Instead of measuring the absolute intensity of scattered light, the method analyzes the frequency spectrum of the interference pattern, where the analyte concentration is encoded in the spatial frequency components rather than the overall signal strength.
2Measurement precision
If conventional filtering is applied to enhance weak signals, then signal detection is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to error susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the useful signal information from the interference pattern by separating it in the frequency domain. The 2D Fourier transformation decomposes the spatial image into frequency components, allowing extraction of the specific frequency range that contains analyte concentration information while discarding DC components and noise frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional optical filtering mechanisms with digital signal processing. Instead of using physical filters to enhance weak signals, the method uses computational algorithms (2D Fourier transformation and bandpass filtering) to extract and enhance the signal components of interest from the captured interference pattern.
3Measurement precision
If standard deviation analysis is applied to detect interference patterns, then signal detection is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary standard deviation analysis on the captured image before applying Fourier transformation. This pre-processing step calculates the local standard deviation across the image, which enhances the visibility of interference patterns by highlighting regions with varying intensity, making subsequent frequency analysis more effective.
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
This approach increases the accuracy of analyte concentration determination by emphasizing high-frequency signal components and eliminating noise, allowing for robust and fast interpretation without the need for expensive equipment, enabling precise measurement even with weak interference patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring chamber is illuminated from one side with a lighting device
Implementation Method 2
a two-dimensional image with an interference pattern caused by the particles is detected
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and to an analysis device for determining an analyte concentration in a fluid, in which the fluid containing the analyte and a turbidimetric or nephelometric assay of particles (6) is introduced into a measuring chamber (4), the measuring chamber (4) is illuminated from one side by means of an illumination device (1) and a two-dimensional image with an interference pattern caused by the particles (6) is detected in a spatially resolved manner by means of at least one sensor element (5) on a side of the measuring chamber (4) facing away from the illumination device (1). The detected image is forwarded to a computing unit (8) and subjected to electronic band pass filtration by the computing unit (8). Subsequently, by means of scanning the image and determining a standard deviation of each scan point, a two-dimensional image of the standard deviations is obtained, and a two-dimensional Fourier transformation is carried out on this image of the standard deviation and subsequently the obtained absolute values of the Fourier spectrum generated by the Fourier transformation are aggregated to form a total, and an analyte concentration is assigned to the obtained total of the absolute values by means of an empirically determined calibration curve.