Capacitance-Based Liquid Leakage Detection in Transfer Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid handling technologies, such as pressure monitoring, face challenges in accurately detecting liquid leakage and cross-contamination during the transfer of biological samples or reagents, especially in high-throughput applications like PCR amplifications, due to their reliance on sample density and limited ability to detect small changes in pressure.
Innovation Solution
The method employs electrical means to detect liquid leakage by measuring changes in electrical signals between the liquid transfer device and the remaining liquid within a vessel, using techniques like resistive or capacitive liquid level detection, which are independent of sample density and can detect droplet formation without requiring a liquid bridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pressure monitoring is used to detect liquid leakage, then the detection method is simple to implement, but the measurement precision is insufficient for detecting small changes in pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure monitoring system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of using pressure sensors to detect liquid leakage, the invention measures electrical capacitance changes between the liquid transfer device and the liquid reservoir, providing higher measurement precision while maintaining ease of implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from pressure (mechanical) to capacitance (electrical). By measuring capacitance changes rather than pressure changes, the system achieves superior detection precision for small amounts of liquid leakage while keeping the implementation straightforward.
2Device complexity
If pressure monitoring is used for liquid leakage detection, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of leakage detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical pressure monitoring approach with an electrical capacitance measurement approach. This replacement enhances the reliability of leakage detection by providing more sensitive and accurate measurements, while the overall device complexity remains manageable due to the use of standard electrical components.
3Measurement precision
If electrical means are used for liquid level detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional electrical measurement system that serves both liquid level detection and liquid leakage detection purposes. The same capacitance measurement circuitry is used to monitor both the position of the liquid transfer device and to detect any leakage, thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the liquid level detection function and the liquid leakage detection function into a single electrical measurement system. By merging these two functions into one capacitance measurement apparatus, the system achieves high measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 effectively reduces the risk of cross-contamination by accurately monitoring liquid leakage rates, ensuring precise liquid transfer and minimizing contamination risks across multiple samples, even with varying sample densities.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an electrical signal, in particular an electrical capacitance, between the liquid transfer device and the liquid in the vessel
Implementation Method 2
the resistive LLD (rLLD) and the capacitive LLD (cLLD)... simply the electric resistance between the liquid transfer device and e.g. an electrode attached to the outside of the liquid transfer device is measured
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and a computer program to detect the liquid leakage of a liquid transfer device. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method, an apparatus and a computer program that detects the liquid leakage of a liquid transfer device with electrical means.