Fiber-Optic Transmission Probe With Adjustable Optical Pathlength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber-optic transmission probes require multiple fixed-pathlength probes or interchangeable tips to cover a range of concentrations, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single fiber-optic transmission probe system with a single probe tip and multiple pathlength adjusters of different lengths, allowing for adjustable optical pathlengths without the need for multiple probes or interchangeable tips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-pathlength probes or interchangeable tips are used to cover a range of concentrations, then measurement capability across different concentrations is improved, but device complexity and the number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates a movable reflecting element that can be positioned at different locations along the probe body, creating variable optical pathlengths. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows a single probe to provide multiple pathlength settings, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-pathlength probes or interchangeable tips while maintaining adaptability across different concentration ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The single probe design integrates multiple functions by allowing the reflecting element to be positioned at various locations, enabling the same probe to serve multiple measurement needs across different concentration ranges. This universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized probes or tip sets, reducing component inventory while maintaining measurement capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable tips with different pathlengths are used, then flexibility in measuring different concentrations is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to swap components
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting element is designed to be movable along the probe body and can be positioned at different locations without requiring removal or replacement of components. This dynamic positioning system allows operators to adjust pathlength by simply moving the reflecting element to the desired location, eliminating the time-consuming process of swapping interchangeable tips while maintaining flexibility
3Measurement precision
If multiple individual fixed-pathlength probes are maintained, then measurement precision across different concentrations is improved, but cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single probe with a movable reflecting element provides variable optical pathlengths, replacing the need for multiple individual fixed-pathlength probes. The reflecting element can be positioned at different locations to create appropriate pathlengths for different concentration ranges, maintaining measurement precision while reducing probe inventory to a single multi-functional device
Solution Approach 2:
The single probe design performs multiple measurement functions that previously required separate probes. By integrating variable pathlength capability into one probe, the system maintains the ability to measure different concentrations with appropriate precision while eliminating the need to maintain multiple specialized probes
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 flexible and efficient measurement of various concentrations by adjusting the optical pathlength using a single probe, reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
Since the absorbance measurement is based on Beer's Law, the pathlength of the probe must be in a suitable range to allow measurement of the desired concentrations while staying within the linear absorbance range of the instrument.
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber-optic transmission probe system for, for example, dissolution testing, includes a single probe, a single probe tip, and a number of pathlength adjusters of different lengths. The transmission probe system is usable to assemble different probe assemblies having different, desired optical pathlengths, where each probe assembly has either no pathlength adjuster or a different one of the pathlength adjusters. The probe system avoids the prior-art requirements of having either (i) multiple probes of different, fixed optical pathlengths or (ii) a probe with multiple probe tips of different, fixed lengths to achieve the different, desired optical pathlengths.