Fluorescent Concentration Measurement via Transmitted Radiation Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the concentration of fluorescent substances in a medium are not reliable due to the influence of the measuring chamber geometry and varying conditions, leading to inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

Measuring the intensity of both the transmitted excitation radiation and fluorescence radiation, along with fluorescence absorption radiation, to correct for absorption effects and eliminate system errors, allowing for precise concentration determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only fluorescence radiation intensity is measured, then the measurement method is simple, but the concentration determination accuracy is insufficient due to absorption effects and geometry influences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement method simplicityVSAvoidconcentration determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into multiple independent measurements: fluorescence radiation intensity measurement, transmitted excitation radiation intensity measurement, and fluorescence absorption radiation intensity measurement. Each measurement addresses a specific aspect of the problem, and their combined results enable accurate concentration determination while correcting for absorption and geometry effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmitted excitation radiation and fluorescence absorption radiation measurements serve as intermediary measurements that provide correction factors. These intermediary measurements allow the system to account for absorption effects and geometry influences without requiring direct modification of the primary fluorescence measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the measuring chamber geometry is varied or conditions change over time, then the measurement method is more adaptable, but the concentration determination accuracy deteriorates due to system errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement condition flexibilityVSAvoidconcentration determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the transmitted excitation radiation and fluorescence absorption radiation measurements to continuously correct the concentration determination. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and geometry variations while maintaining accurate concentration measurements through real-time error correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Volume of stationary object

If excitation light penetration depth increases, then the measurement covers more sample volume, but the fluorescence signal intensity decreases due to absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample volume coverageVSAvoidfluorescence signal intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the measurement parameters by simultaneously measuring both the fluorescence signal and the transmitted excitation radiation/fluorescence absorption radiation. This parameter change allows the system to compensate for the intensity reduction caused by increased penetration depth, as the correction factors derived from the additional measurements account for the absorption effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a highly accurate quantitative method for determining the concentration of fluorescent substances, even under varying conditions and in turbid samples, by accounting for absorption and geometry-related errors.

Implementation Method 1

the fluorescent substance is specifically excited to fluorescence radiation by means of excitation radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

the absorption of the excitation light in the sample with the fluorescent substance can also influence the intensity of the measured fluorescence radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2956758B1Method and device for determining the concentration of a fluorescent substance in a medium

Publication Date: 2019.11.27 VWMS INVENTIONS GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for determining a concentration (c) of a fluorescent substance in a medium, wherein an excitation radiation having an excitation wavelength (λex) is radiated through the medium having the fluorescent substance so that the fluorescent substance is excited in such a way that the fluorescent substance emits a fluorescence having a fluorescence wavelength (λem), wherein the intensity of the fluorescence (Ifluor) is measured, from which the concentration (c) of the fluorescent substance in the medium is determined, wherein additionally the intensity (Itrans,ex) of a transmitted portion of the excitation radiation is measured, wherein the concentration (c) of the fluorescent substance is determined from the intensity of the transmitted portion of the excitation radiation (Itrans,ex) and the intensity of the fluorescence (Ifluor).