Calibration Head for Optochemical pH Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration of measuring devices for DLR measurements with optochemical pH sensors is challenging due to wavelength dependence and temperature effects, requiring individual calibration for each device and sensor head combination, which is difficult or impossible in single-use and high-throughput systems.
Innovation Solution
A calibration head with a non-pH-sensitive dye and reference dye, embedded in a hydrophobic polymer matrix, is used to establish a calibration layer with the same optical properties as the pH-sensitive dye, allowing for one-time calibration of measuring devices, enabling their use with different sensor heads without recalibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual calibration is performed for each device and sensor head combination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a calibration head that is an optical copy of a sensor head, containing dyes with identical optical properties. This calibration head serves as a reference standard that can be used to calibrate multiple measuring devices without requiring individual calibration for each device-sensor combination, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the calibration medium by using a non-pH-sensitive dye instead of a pH-sensitive dye in the calibration head. This parameter change allows the calibration head to provide stable reference values independent of pH variations, enabling universal calibration across different devices and sensor heads
2Measurement precision
If individual calibration is performed for each device and sensor head combination, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration in advance using a pre-prepared calibration head with known optical properties. This preliminary calibration action establishes reference values that can be used for multiple subsequent measurements with different sensor heads, eliminating the need for repeated individual calibrations and thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration head is designed as a universal reference standard that can be used with multiple different sensor heads and measuring devices. This multi-functionality allows a single calibration head to serve numerous calibration purposes, dramatically improving throughput and productivity in high-volume measurement scenarios
3Measurement precision
If wavelength-dependent measurements are used, then sensitivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to wavelength fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a ratiometric measurement approach that compares the signal from the pH-sensitive dye in the sensor head with the signal from the non-pH-sensitive dye in the calibration head. This feedback mechanism compensates for wavelength fluctuations and LED variations, maintaining sensitivity while improving reliability by eliminating the need for precise wavelength control
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
Enables one-time calibration of measuring devices for DLR measurements, eliminating the need for individual calibration of each device and sensor head combination, facilitating their use in various applications, including single-use and high-throughput systems.
Implementation Method 1
The calibration layer has a non-pH-sensitive dye as a standard for the calibration, which has the same optical properties as the pH-sensitive dye used for the pH measurement
Implementation Method 2
ratiometric optochemical pH sensors
Implementation Method 3
dual lifetime referencing
Data Source
AI summary
A device for calibrating measuring instruments for DLR measurement with optochemical pH sensors. The device includes a calibration head with a calibration layer applied to a carrier layer which contains a non-pH-sensitive dye which has the same optical properties as the pH-sensitive dye used for pH measurement, and the same reference dye as is used for pH measurement. Further including at least one light guide to the first end face of which the carrier layer with applied calibration layer is attached and the second end face of which is used to produce a light-conducting dye, as is used for the pH measurement, and at least one light guide, to the first end face of which the carrier layer with applied calibration layer is attached, and the second end face of which is set up to produce a light-conducting connection to a measuring device for DLR measurement with optochemical pH sensors.