Cell Culture Sensor Error Detection via Counter Electrode Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell culture sensors are prone to measurement errors due to improper sensor immersion and contamination, such as mold adhesion, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A cell culture analysis device with a three-electrode sensor configuration, including a counter electrode designed to detect contamination and improper immersion by monitoring the counter electrode terminal voltage, and a control system to accurately identify measurement errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of information (image data, spectral data, measurement data) are acquired and integrated, then comprehensive sample analysis capability is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive sample analysis capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides information acquisition into separate functional modules: imaging unit for visual information, spectral unit for chemical composition, and measurement unit for physical properties. Each module independently captures specific data types, which are then integrated in the information integration unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The information integration unit serves multiple functions: it receives diverse data types from different units, performs unified processing, and outputs comprehensive analysis results. This multi-functional component consolidates the complexity into a single manageable unit that handles all information integration tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of information are acquired and integrated, then comprehensive sample analysis capability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive sample analysis capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition and preprocessing of different information types in parallel before integration. The imaging unit, spectral unit, and measurement unit simultaneously capture their respective data, and the information integration unit processes this pre-acquired data, reducing total processing time while maintaining comprehensive analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If spectral information and image information are integrated, then identification accuracy of similar samples is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement precision requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information integration unit acts as an intermediary that receives spectral information and image information from separate units, processes them together, and produces integrated identification results. This mediator consolidates the measurement precision requirements into a single processing stage, improving identification accuracy while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4425162B1Sample measuring device, sample measuring method, and sample measuring program
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 PHC HLDG CORP
  • EP4425162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4425162B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4425162B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell culture analysis device (1) comprises a voltage application unit (11a), a current measurement unit (11b), a voltage measurement unit (11c), and an analysis unit (42). The voltage application unit (11a) applies voltage to a sensing unit (31a), which includes a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, of a sensor (30) in a state in which the sensing unit (31a) is immersed in the culture medium (X). The current measurement unit (11b) measures the current flowing through the sensor (30) from the voltage applied to the sensing unit (31a). The analysis unit (42) calculates the concentration of glucose or the like contained in a culture medium on the basis of the measurement result from the current measurement unit (11b). The voltage measurement unit (11c) measures the terminal voltage of the counter electrode included in the sensing unit (31a) in a state in which the voltage application unit (11a) is applying voltage. The analysis unit (42) detects a measurement error on the basis of the terminal voltage of the counter electrode measured by the voltage measurement unit (11c).