Modular Flow-Through Cell Holder for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In biological, biochemical, or biotechnological processes, existing optical measuring systems face challenges in sterilizing flow-through cells without damaging other components and preventing cross-contamination when reusing cells for different measurements or media.
Innovation Solution
The optical measuring system features a modular design with a cell holder that allows for easy replacement and sterilization of flow-through cells using gamma radiation, preventing damage to other components and ensuring sterile conditions by using connection interfaces for the flow-through cell, radiation source, and radiation receiver, enabling different cells with varying dimensions and materials to be used for specific measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow through cell is sterilized with gamma radiation outside the measuring system, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the sterilization process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system is divided into separable components: the flow through cell can be removed from the measuring system and sterilized independently outside the system, then reinserted. This segmentation allows the cell to be sterilized with gamma radiation without requiring the entire measuring system to be sterilized, thus maintaining sterilization effectiveness while reducing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flow through cell is sterilized in advance (before use) by removing it from the measuring system, sterilizing it with gamma radiation, and then reinserting it. This preliminary sterilization action ensures the cell is sterile before being installed, eliminating the need for complex in-situ sterilization procedures while maintaining reliability
2Productivity
If the flow through cell is reused for measurements on different systems or with different measured media, then productivity is improved, but cross contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow through cell is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. Instead of attempting to clean and sterilize the cell between different measurements or systems, the entire cell is discarded after use and replaced with a new sterile cell. This eliminates cross contamination risk completely while maintaining productivity, as the replacement process is simple and requires no complex cleaning steps
Solution Approach 2:
The flow through cell is discarded after a single use or after sterilization, and a new cell is inserted for the next measurement. This discarding approach prevents cross contamination between different measured media or systems, while the simplicity of replacement (without cleaning steps) maintains high productivity
3Device complexity
If the flow through cell is sterilized inside the measuring system, then sterilization is simplified, but damage to other components (radiation receiver or electronics) occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flow through cell is extracted (removed) from the measuring system before sterilization with gamma radiation. This extraction separates the sterilization process from the sensitive components (radiation receiver and electronics), allowing the cell to be sterilized outside the system without exposing the sensitive components to harmful radiation, thus simplifying the sterilization procedure while preventing damage
4Object-generated harmful factors
If complex cleaning steps are performed between measurements, then cross contamination is prevented, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complex cleaning steps on a reusable cell, the system uses disposable flow through cells that are discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning and sterilization procedures between measurements, preventing cross contamination while maintaining high productivity through simple replacement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The flow through cell is discarded after each measurement or sterilization cycle rather than being cleaned and reused. This discarding approach prevents cross contamination between different measured media or systems without requiring complex cleaning steps, thereby maintaining high measurement throughput and productivity
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 design allows for simple sterilization and replacement of flow-through cells, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring accurate, reproducible measurements without complex cleaning steps, while accommodating different materials and dimensions for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
The interaction can lead especially to an absorption of at least part of the radiation, e.g. in a certain wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
the radiation receiver, which outputs a measurement signal dependent on the intensity of the striking radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measuring system includes at least one radiation source, at least one radiation receiver, and at least one flow through cell. The radiation emitted by the at least one radiation source passes at least partially in an optical path between the radiation source and the radiation receiver through the flow through cell and then strikes the at least one radiation receiver. The radiation receiver is embodied to output a signal dependent on the intensity of the radiation striking the radiation receiver, wherein the flow through cell is arranged in a cell holder, which is connected via a first connection interface releasably with the radiation receiver and which is connected via a second connection interface releasably with the radiation source.