Closed Medical Container Inspection for Non-Destructive Particle Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for detecting and characterizing particulate matter in closed medical containers are prone to false positives due to air bubble formation and require destructive processes, and they struggle with precise 3D localization and chemical analysis without agitating the container.

Innovation Solution

An inspection system that uses a stationary sample holder and moves optical components around the container to analyze it using light sheet microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, allowing for non-destructive detection, 3D localization, and chemical characterization of particles within the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the container is rotated during particle detection, then particles are set in motion to make them detectable, but air bubbles are formed causing false positive detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle detectabilityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the container to make particles detectable, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the container stationary and using a moving light source and detector assembly that rotates around the container. This eliminates air bubble formation while still enabling particle detection through the moving optical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation of the container with a moving optical system. The light source and detector are mounted on a rotating assembly that moves around the stationary container, substituting the mechanical agitation approach with a non-contact optical scanning method that avoids bubble formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the container is rotated during inspection, then particles can be detected, but precise 3D localization of particles becomes difficult due to rapid movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle detectionVSAvoid3D localization precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the detection approach by keeping the container stationary and moving the optical system around it. This allows particles to remain in fixed positions during inspection, enabling precise 3D localization while still achieving comprehensive particle detection through the rotating optical assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If conventional detection methods are used, then particles can be detected, but destructive processes are required for characterization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle detectionVSAvoidcontainer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces destructive mechanical or chemical characterization methods with non-destructive optical techniques. Raman spectroscopy and light sheet microscopy enable chemical and physical characterization of particles without opening the container or altering the sample, substituting destructive processes with non-contact optical analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If optical components are moved around the container, then non-destructive detection and 3D localization are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light source, detector, and rotating mechanism into a single integrated assembly that moves around the container. This combining of components reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate stationary components, while still achieving non-destructive detection and 3D localization capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system provides reliable, efficient detection and characterization of particulate matter without increasing false positives, maintaining the container's integrity, and enabling precise 3D localization and chemical analysis without opening the container.

Implementation Method 1

at least one optical system comprising at least one light source operative or configured to output light incident onto the medical container and at least one detector operative or configured to detect return light from the medical container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a light source operative or configured to output a Raman probe beam incident onto the closed medical container; a detector operative or configured to detect a Raman spectrum responsive to outputting the Raman probe beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRaman scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS20250383298A1Inspection system and method for a closed medical container

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE INC

AI summary

An inspection system (1.3) is operative to inspect a medical container containing a liquid. The inspection system (1.3) comprises an actuator (1.6) operative to displace a light source and/or detector of an optical system (1.5) relative to a sample holder (1.4) during data acquisition. Acquired data are analyzed to detect and/or determine characteristics of a particle in the medical container.