Electrochemical Flow Monitoring via Concentration Polarization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug injection pumps lack precise flow rate monitoring for microliters or nanoliters, leading to potential overinjection or underinjection and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical apparatus with a membrane containing a space for ionic fluid, electrodes on both sides, and a control unit to apply voltage for concentration polarization, measuring ionic current to calculate flow rate accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional electrochemical polarization method is used with separate electrode pairs, then flow rate measurement capability is provided, but the device complexity increases and the risk of drug contamination increases due to direct electrode contact with fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow rate measurement function with the existing pump electrodes by using the same electrode structure for both pumping and measurement. The pump electrodes are configured to serve dual purposes: delivering voltage for electroosmotic pumping and measuring ionic current for flow rate monitoring, thereby eliminating the need for separate electrode pairs and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a non-conductive layer as an intermediary between the electrode and the fluid. This layer allows the electrode to measure ionic current without directly contacting the drug solution, thereby preventing contamination while enabling accurate flow rate measurement through the electrochemical polarization phenomenon
2Measurement precision
If direct electrode contact with fluid is used for measurement, then flow rate monitoring is enabled, but the risk of drug contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-conductive layer as an intermediary barrier between the electrode and the drug solution. This layer transmits ionic current signals while preventing direct contact between the electrode and the fluid, thereby eliminating contamination risk while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based measurement approach with an electrochemical polarization-based measurement. By using ionic current measurement through the non-conductive layer, the system substitutes direct mechanical contact with an electrical field-based interaction, eliminating contamination while preserving measurement function
3Measurement precision
If conventional flow rate measurement methods are used, then basic monitoring is provided, but precise measurement of microliters or nanoliters is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow rate measurement methods with electrochemical polarization-based ionic current measurement. This substitution enables precise detection of microliter and nanoliter flow rates by measuring the electrical current generated during electroosmotic pumping, thereby achieving the required precision for accurate drug injection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ionic current measurement is used to monitor and control the flow rate in real-time. The control unit receives ionic current signals, processes them to determine flow rate, and provides feedback for adjusting the pumping operation, thereby ensuring precise injection accuracy
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 apparatus provides precise flow rate monitoring, reducing contamination risks and enhancing injection accuracy for solutions with low ion concentrations, applicable to electroosmotic pumps and various quantitative injections.
Implementation Method 1
the control unit applies a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode to change a state of the space to a concentration polarization state
Implementation Method 2
A flow rate of the electroosmotic pump may be adjusted by a magnitude of a voltage, time during which the voltage is applied
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for monitoring flow rate including a membrane having a space that is formed in a middle portion of the membrane and has a preset volume to contain an ionic fluid, a first electrode and a second electrode provided on both sides of the membrane, and a control unit configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode to change a state of the space to a concentration polarization state, wherein the membrane includes a fluid flow passage through which a fluid flows into and out of the space, and the control unit calculates a flow rate based on an ionic current generated by the fluid injected through the fluid flow passage in the concentration polarization state.