Dead-End Pore Optical Sensing for Analyte Time Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses struggle to determine additional parameters of analytes in liquids, particularly for distinguishing optically similar analytes, and require external energy for filtration, which complicates the process and increases apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a translucent porous element that allows analytes to diffuse through dead-end pores, illuminated by light sources, and detected by a light detector to determine time response values, which are processed to derive information about analyte properties without external energy or moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external energy is used for filtration, then filtration can be achieved, but apparatus complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous element performs filtration through its own structure without requiring external energy input. The dead-end pores automatically separate analytes from larger particles based on size, enabling the system to be passive and self-regulating while maintaining filtration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems (which would require pumps or external energy) with a passive porous structure that uses the physical geometry of dead-end pores to achieve separation. This substitution eliminates moving parts and external energy requirements while maintaining the filtration function
2Reliability
If conventional filtration methods are used, then analyte separation can be achieved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous element with specifically designed dead-end pores that enable rapid analyte entry through diffusion while maintaining separation. The porous structure allows fast mass transfer compared to conventional filtration methods, reducing measurement time while ensuring reliable analyte separation
Solution Approach 2:
The dead-end pores are pre-configured with optimized dimensions and connectivity to facilitate immediate and rapid analyte diffusion upon contact. This preliminary structural preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming filtration processes while ensuring complete analyte separation
3Measurement precision
If additional parameters are determined, then analyte distinction improves, but apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters analytes, enables rapid diffusion for time response measurement, and provides the structural basis for optical detection. This multi-functionality allows determination of additional parameters (time response, molecular weight, shape) without adding separate apparatus components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent determines additional analyte parameters by measuring time response values and analyzing diffusion characteristics. By changing the measurement approach rather than adding physical components, the system obtains molecular weight and shape information through temporal analysis of analyte diffusion through the porous structure
4Speed
If larger pore openings are used, then particle entry is facilitated, but larger particles and debris enter the pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dead-end pores with specifically controlled opening sizes that create local separation zones. The pore openings are dimensioned to allow analytes to enter while physically blocking larger particles and debris, achieving both rapid analyte entry and reliable particle separation through localized structural design
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 rapid, efficient, and accurate determination of analyte properties, such as molecular weight and viscosity, allowing differentiation of otherwise indistinguishable analytes, while maintaining a compact design and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light sources being adapted to illuminate at least the pores in the translucent element, and a light detector being adapted to at each of multiple points in time receive light emerging from the pores in response to illumination by the one or more light sources
Implementation Method 2
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 analyte or the group of analytes in the liquid to enter the pores via diffusion
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 (I I) 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.