Column Chromatography Fraction Collector With Optical Volume Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid auto fraction apparatuses for column chromatography face challenges in accurately and conveniently obtaining small volumes of liquid fractions, particularly due to human error and limitations in measuring small amounts in units of µl.
Innovation Solution
A liquid auto fraction apparatus with a microtube mounting portion, a light source unit, an image acquisition unit, a volume determination unit, and a control unit that uses image analysis to determine liquid volumes in microtubes, ensuring accurate and convenient fractionation by mechanically controlling the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual checking by person is used to determine liquid volume, then operation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates for small volumes in µl
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual checking method with an optical measurement system. A light source emits light through the microtube containing liquid, and an image acquisition unit captures the light transmission pattern. The volume determination unit analyzes the optical data to calculate liquid volume, eliminating human visual estimation and its associated errors for small volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system between the liquid sample and the measurement process. Light acts as the intermediary carrier that interacts with the liquid to provide measurable signals. The optical path serves as a mediator that translates liquid volume into detectable optical characteristics, enabling precise automated measurement.
2Productivity
If automated liquid supply is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision for small volumes deteriorates due to large error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the volume determination unit continuously monitors liquid volume in microtubes and provides feedback to the control unit. When the target volume is reached, the system automatically stops the liquid supply process. This closed-loop feedback ensures both high productivity through automation and high precision by continuously verifying volume accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical weight-based measurement with optical measurement for determining liquid volume. The optical system provides precise measurement capabilities that overcome the limitations of mechanical weighing for small volumes, enabling both automated operation and high measurement precision simultaneously.
3Reliability
If manual fractionation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to human error and variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated system where the apparatus performs fractionation without human intervention. The control unit automatically controls the liquid supply timing and amount, the column positioning, and the image acquisition. The system monitors itself through optical measurement and makes decisions based on pre-set criteria, eliminating human error and ensuring consistent reliable results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human operational judgment with an automated optical measurement and control system. The optical detection system objectively measures liquid volume, and the control unit executes precise fractionation based on this objective data, replacing subjective human judgment with objective automated control for improved reliability.
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
The apparatus enables precise and automated fractionation of liquid samples, reducing human error and ensuring accurate results, thereby enhancing productivity and convenience in column chromatography.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit provided on a rear side of the plurality of microtubes to emit light
Implementation Method 2
an image acquisition unit provided on a front side of the plurality of microtubes to acquire images of the plurality of microtubes at preset time intervals
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid auto fraction apparatus for column chromatography. According to the present invention, a liquid auto fraction apparatus for column chromatography includes a microtube mounting portion in which a plurality of microtubes for accommodating liquids to be fractionated according to column chromatography are mounted, a liquid supply unit configured to sequentially supplying the liquids to the plurality of microtubes, a light source unit provided on a rear side of the plurality of microtubes to emit light, an image acquisition unit provided on a front side of the plurality of microtubes to acquire images of the plurality of microtubes at preset time intervals while column chromatography is performed, a volume determination unit configured to extract heights of water surfaces of the accommodated liquids by analyzing the images of the plurality of microtubes acquired by the image acquisition unit and configured to determine whether volumes of the liquids accommodated in the plurality of microtube reach a target volume based on the extracted heights of the water surfaces, and a control unit configured to set a reference value for determining whether the volumes reach the target volume and configured to control operations of the liquid supply unit and the image acquisition unit according to a determination result of the volume determination unit.