Dead-End Pore Optical Measurement of Analyte Time Responses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses struggle to accurately determine differences in concentration between two or more analytes in a liquid, particularly when the analytes are optically similar, as they lack a method to provide complementary or cumulative information for better determination of analyte values.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a translucent porous element with dead-end pores that allow analytes to diffuse in, illuminated by light sources, where time response values are measured to determine a difference measure indicative of concentration differences between analytes, complemented by optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical measurement methods are used to determine analyte concentrations, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the ability to distinguish optically similar analytes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from static optical properties to dynamic time-response characteristics. By measuring how analyte concentrations change over time during diffusion into pores, the system can distinguish between analytes with similar optical properties but different diffusion coefficients, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a porous element as the measurement medium. The porous structure enables diffusion-based separation of analytes based on their size and concentration, creating time-resolved optical signals that provide additional discriminatory information. This approach enhances the ability to distinguish analytes while maintaining a relatively simple apparatus structure
2Measurement precision
If additional parameters are added to distinguish analytes, then the determination accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous temporal sampling of optical signals during the diffusion process. By continuously measuring optical properties over time as analytes diffuse into and out of the porous element, the system extracts multiple data points from a single measurement sequence, improving determination accuracy without requiring multiple separate measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the traditional optical measurement space. Instead of relying solely on spectral or intensity differences, the system measures the temporal evolution of optical signals, creating a time-concentration profile that provides an additional dimension for analyte discrimination while using the same basic optical detection hardware
3Use of energy by moving object
If diffusion-based measurement is used, then no external energy is required, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or pulsed illumination of the porous element during the diffusion process. By using intermittent light sources rather than continuous illumination, the system reduces energy consumption while still capturing sufficient temporal data points to determine analyte concentrations. The periodic measurements are strategically timed to capture the most informative phases of diffusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs optical measurements at multiple time points during the diffusion process, capturing more data than the minimum single endpoint measurement would provide. This excessive sampling in the time domain allows for more accurate determination of diffusion coefficients and analyte concentrations, compensating for the extended measurement duration by reducing the need for repeated measurements
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
Enables distinguishing otherwise indistinguishable analytes by measuring time response values, providing accurate qualitative and quantitative information on analyte concentrations without external energy and maintaining a compact apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-sectional dimension of the openings of the pores is dimensioned so as to prevent larger particles or debris from entering the pores, while allowing the two or more predetermined analytes in the liquid to enter the pores via diffusion
Implementation Method 2
illuminating with the one or more light sources at least the pores in the translucent element, at each of multiple points in time receiving light emerging from the pores in response to the illumination
Data Source
AI summary
There is presented an apparatus for determining one or more time response values of an analyte or a group of analytes (96) in a liquid (99) comprising a translucent element comprising pores (6), wherein the pores (6) are dead end pores (6) extending into the translucent element from respective openings (7) in the translucent element, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the openings (7) of the pores (6) is dimensioned so as to prevent larger particles or debris from entering the pores (6), while allowing the analyte or the group of analytes in the liquid (99) to enter the pores (6) via diffusion, one or more light sources (10) being adapted to illuminate at least the pores (6) in the translucent element (2), and a light detector (20) being adapted to at each of multiple points in time receive light (21) emerging from the pores (6) in response to illumination (11) by the one or more light sources, wherein the light detector is further adapted to generate one or more signals based on the received light, each of the one or more signals being temporally resolved and representative of at least a part of the received light, and wherein the apparatus is further comprising a data processing device comprising a processor configured to determine one or more time response values based on the one or more signals.