Colorimetric Absorbance Measurement with Continuous Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small-sized biochemical analyzers face challenges in achieving precise, reliable, and efficient colorimetric absorbance measurements due to vibration issues and long measurement times, particularly when implementing dual-wavelength measurements, which are complicated by the need for filter wheel halts and non-uniform sampling intervals.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a reaction tray rotates at a uniform speed, with filters on a wheel sequentially transferred to the light path, allowing photoelectric data sampling only when the tray and filter wheel are stable, enabling simultaneous measurements at multiple wavelengths without prolonged halts, thus reducing measurement time and ensuring consistency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the filter wheel halts at each wavelength position for measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases and vibration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing the filter wheel to rotate continuously rather than halting at each position. The system captures images at specific moments during rotation when the filter is in the correct position, eliminating the need for complete stops and reducing vibration-induced measurement delays while maintaining precision through timed sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filter wheel rotates continuously through all wavelength positions without interruption, maintaining useful action throughout the measurement cycle. This continuous rotation eliminates the stop-start pattern that causes vibration and delays, allowing measurements to be taken at multiple wavelengths in sequence without prolonged halts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If the reaction tray rotates at uniform speed continuously, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may be affected due to motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning of the reaction tray and filter wheel before actual measurement. The tray is positioned to rotate at uniform speed, and the filter wheel is pre-positioned to the correct wavelength before data collection begins, ensuring both continuous motion and measurement precision are achieved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor the rotation positions of both the reaction tray and filter wheel. This feedback allows the system to synchronize measurement timing with the rotational positions, ensuring that measurements are taken at the correct moments during continuous rotation, thereby maintaining precision while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If dual-wavelength measurement is implemented, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter wheel is designed with multiple filters that can be sequentially positioned to provide different wavelengths for measurement. This multi-functional design allows the same optical path and detection system to perform dual-wavelength measurements without requiring separate measurement systems, thereby improving reliability while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances measurement efficiency and reliability by allowing simultaneous multi-wavelength testing without prolonged vibration-induced delays, maintaining uniform sampling intervals, and reducing the overall measurement time, making it suitable for clinical applications.

Implementation Method 1

a photoelectric detection unit for detecting the light beam having passed through the reaction cuvette

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

transferring filters arranged on a filter wheel sequentially to a light path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Implementation Method 3

measures how much of the incident light of a certain wavelength range is absorbed by a solution, i.e., absorbance of that solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8765475B2Colorimetric absorbance measurement method, apparatus and system

Publication Date: 2014.07.01 SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Various embodiments disclose a colorimetric absorbance measurement method and a system for performing the same. The method comprises driving a reaction tray carrying a plurality of reaction cuvettes to rotate at a speed; transferring or rotating filters on a filter wheel to a light path of a light beam, starting from a filter of a first wavelength; and sampling photoelectric data when the light beam has passed through each reaction cuvette in some embodiments. The method ensures consistency in the measurement and synchronization between the calibration and the sample test and reliability of the measurements. Various embodiments simplify data processing and reduce the complexity of the system.