Microplate Reader Filter Slide with Electronic Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplate readers face challenges in efficiently managing and replacing optical filters, which degrade over time due to radiation exposure, leading to inconsistent light quality and the need for frequent filter replacement.
Innovation Solution
A microplate reader equipped with a filter slide that includes an electronic memory for recording and retrieving filter-specific data, such as the number and intensity of light flashes, allowing for precise tracking of filter usage and state, enabling timely replacement and ensuring accurate data recording without user manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filters are used continuously for irradiating samples with high light intensities, then light quality is maintained initially, but filters bleach out over time and no longer allow the required light quality to reach the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring filter usage parameters (number of light flashes, exposure time, light intensity) and predicting when the filter will bleach out. This allows the system to proactively schedule filter replacement before actual degradation occurs, maintaining light quality consistency throughout the filter's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by recording operational data from each light flash and exposure event, continuously updating the filter's usage state. This feedback loop enables real-time assessment of filter condition and dynamic adjustment of replacement timing to optimize both reliability and service life.
2Reliability
If filters are replaced frequently to maintain light quality, then consistent light quality is ensured, but device complexity and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically tracking filter usage, calculating remaining service life, and generating replacement notifications without user intervention. The electronic memory records all exposure parameters and the computer automatically determines when filters need replacement, simplifying filter management while maintaining light quality consistency.
3Loss of information
If filter-specific data are manually tracked, then usage information can be recorded, but user manipulation and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical tracking with an automated electronic data recording system. The computer automatically records filter-specific data including number of light flashes, exposure time, and light intensity in an electronic memory, eliminating user manipulation and errors while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If filters are designed for long service life, then replacement frequency decreases, but filters may be overused and light quality degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring filter usage parameters and predicting the exact point when light quality will degrade. This allows the system to extend filter service life by using filters right up to their optimal limit while automatically scheduling replacement before quality degradation occurs, maximizing both service life and reliability.
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 solution allows for accurate tracking of filter usage, preventing overexposure, providing state and alarm notifications, and ensuring consistent light quality, while enabling filters to be used across multiple devices without reconfiguration, thus extending their service life and simplifying warranty and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for emitting light for irradiating samples or transmitting light through samples
Implementation Method 2
a large number of filters such as color filters, neutral density filters, polarization filters, dichroic filters are used which differ with respect to a certain wavelength or a certain wavelength range, a certain intensity, a certain polarization direction in which the light waves can penetrate the filter
Implementation Method 3
The light that penetrates the sample during the irradiation or is reflected by the same or the fluorescence initiated on or in the sample will be designated below as 'light originating from the sample' and will be measured for example by one or several photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Microplate reader (21) with a computer for controlling the components of said microplate reader (21), comprising a light source (15) for emitting light for irradiating samples (22) or transmitting light through samples (22), and a filter slide (1) situated in the excitation or detection beam path. The microplate reader (21) in accordance with the invention is characterized in that said filter slide (1) comprises an electronic memory (4) for recording and/or retrieving filter-specific data, with said filter-specific data comprising the number and intensity of the light flashes impinging upon a certain filter (2) of said filter slide (1) and/or the intensity and duration of all exposures performed, and that said filter slide (1) comprises a contact point (5,7) jointly with the microplate reader (21) for transmitting such filter-specific data from the computer to the electronic memory (4) of the filter slide (1) and for retrieving such filter-specific data with the computer. According to the method in accordance with the invention for acquiring filter-specific data in a filter slide (1) of such a microplate reader (21), filter-specific data which comprise the number and intensity of the light flashes impinging upon a specific filter (2) of said filter slide (1) and/or the intensity and duration of all exposures performed are transmitted by the computer via a contact point common to said filter slide (1) and the microplate reader (21) to an electronic memory (4) of said filter slide (1) and/or are retrieved with the computer from said electronic memory (4).