Dry Reagent Analysis Apparatus Moisture Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis methods for determining the concentration of components in samples using dry reagents are prone to inaccuracies due to excessive evaporation of moisture, leading to variable reaction progress and measurement results.
Innovation Solution
The method involves maintaining a constant temperature in the reaction and measurement spaces, using a dry reagent, and correcting measurement results with a polynomial expression that accounts for the amount of moisture in the air, allowing for accurate concentration determination through optical techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the reaction space is hermetically sealed to prevent excessive evaporation of moisture, then the apparatus structure is simplified and hygiene is enhanced, but the evaporation of moisture is excessively suppressed leading to excessive reaction progress and inaccurate measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the reaction space from hermetically sealed to open type, allowing natural evaporation of moisture from the sample. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling controlled moisture loss that prevents excessive reaction progress while maintaining measurement accuracy, despite the more complex apparatus structure required for open-type reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism by measuring the mass of the reaction chamber before and after the reaction to determine the amount of moisture evaporated from the sample. This mass difference is then used to correct the measurement results, ensuring accuracy despite the open reaction space. The feedback loop compensates for the effects of moisture evaporation on reaction progress.
2Measurement precision
If moisture evaporation is allowed to proceed naturally in an open reaction space, then measurement accuracy is improved, but waste liquid is generated and apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of moisture evaporation from the bulk liquid phase by using a capillary action-based reaction chamber design. The sample is applied to a porous substrate that allows controlled moisture evaporation through capillary forces, separating the evaporation process from uncontrolled liquid waste. This extraction enables accurate measurement while minimizing waste liquid generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials (substrate and reagent carrier) to control moisture evaporation. The porous structure allows water vapor to escape through capillary action while containing the reaction components. This porous medium enables controlled moisture loss for accurate measurement without generating significant waste liquid, as the porous matrix retains the reagent and sample components.
3Ease of operation
If the reagent is in a dry state to simplify the analysis process, then no additional liquid preparation is needed and the apparatus remains compact, but the reaction may not proceed adequately without sufficient moisture medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the porous substrate with the dry reagent before the sample is applied. This preliminary preparation ensures that the reagent is in the correct position and state to react with the sample components. The dry reagent coating on the porous substrate will subsequently react with moisture from the sample, ensuring adequate reaction progress without requiring additional liquid addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous substrate acts as an intermediary between the dry reagent and the sample. It provides a surface that facilitates contact between the reagent and sample components, and its porous structure enables controlled moisture transfer from the sample to the reagent. This intermediary function ensures reliable reaction progress while maintaining the simplicity of using dry reagents without additional liquid preparation.
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 stabilizes measurement results by accounting for moisture levels, reducing discrepancies and maintaining analysis accuracy while keeping the apparatus compact and hygienic.
Implementation Method 1
the degree of color development after the reaction of the sample and the reagent is analyzed by an optical technique
Implementation Method 2
the degree of color development after the reaction of the sample and the reagent is analyzed by an optical technique
Data Source
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AI summary
An analysis method includes the steps of causing a moist sample to react with a reagent and measuring concentration of a particular component contained in the sample based on the state after the reaction of the sample with the reagent. The reaction step and the measurement step are performed while the amount of moisture contained in the air in a space accommodating the sample and the reagent is directly or indirectly measured. The method further includes the step of correcting the measurement result of the concentration of the particular component based on the amount of moisture contained in the air.