Gamma-sterilizable Memory for Biotech Measuring Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-use measuring cells in biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications face confusion due to process-related variations in measuring path length, making it difficult to determine unique data sets specific to each cell, especially during gamma sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A gamma-sterilizable data memory integrated within the measuring cell, along with a measuring transducer and sensor, allows for precise determination and storage of characteristic data such as measuring path length, which is unique to each cell, and can be read via a plug connector for decoupling and separate sterilization, ensuring accurate data retention and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a data memory is integrated in the measuring cell to store unique characteristic data, then data confusion is prevented and measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The data memory is integrated directly into the measuring cell structure, combining the storage function with the measuring component. This ensures that each measuring cell has its unique characteristic data (measuring path length) stored locally, preventing data confusion when multiple cells are used, while avoiding the need for separate external storage systems that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring cell is equipped with its own data memory that stores its unique identification and characteristic data. This self-service approach allows the cell to provide its own measurement parameters without requiring external configuration or database lookups, improving measurement precision while keeping the system architecture simple.
2Ease of manufacture
If the data memory is placed outside the measuring cell for separate sterilization, then ease of manufacture and sterilization is improved, but the reliability of data retention during gamma sterilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data memory is integrated into the measuring cell structure, so both components are sterilized together as a single unit. This eliminates the risk of data corruption that would occur if the memory were separated and sterilized independently, ensuring reliability of data retention while maintaining ease of manufacture through a unified sterilization process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the potential harm of gamma radiation to electronic components by selecting a radiation-resistant memory technology that can withstand sterilization. This converts the harmful effect of gamma radiation into a beneficial sterilization process that validates the robustness of the integrated memory solution.
3Reliability
If the measuring cell is designed as single-use with integrated data memory, then reliability and data accuracy are improved, but loss of time increases due to separate sterilization and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The data memory, measuring cell, and sensor are integrated as a single pre-sterilized unit. This eliminates the need for separate sterilization and assembly steps that would consume time, while maintaining the reliability benefits of having unique characteristic data stored in each individual cell. The entire assembly can be sterilized once and used immediately.
4Device complexity
If characteristic data is stored in external data memory rather than integrated in the measuring cell, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to potential data confusion when cells are exchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The characteristic data is integrated directly into the measuring cell's data memory, creating a one-to-one correspondence between each physical cell and its measurement parameters. This eliminates data confusion when cells are exchanged, as each cell carries its own unique identification and characteristics, ensuring measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 prevents data confusion by ensuring each measuring cell has a unique data set stored in a radiation-resistant memory, facilitating precise measurements and easy assembly, while allowing for the reuse of transducer and sensor components.
Implementation Method 1
the data memory is provided which, unlike electronics components, withstands gamma irradiation for sterilizing the measuring cell, without substantial functional impairment
Implementation Method 2
measuring cells, which are used in particular in optical measurements or photometry
Implementation Method 3
In Lambert-Beer's law, which describes the basic context of modern photometry, 'd' is a layer thickness of the irradiated body. In the case of a measuring cell, this 'd' is a function of the length of the measuring path.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring arrangement for determining a physical process variable, a state variable or a property of the measuring medium, in particular a concentration of one or more components contained in the measuring medium, wherein the measuring arrangement comprises at least one measuring cell having a measuring path and a measuring sensor, wherein the measuring cell comprises a gamma-sterilizable data memory having at least one data set that is specific to a memory cell, and a method for using the measuring arrangement.