Integrated Measuring Device for Biological Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological material analysis devices are prone to measurement uncertainty due to uncontrolled ambient conditions, particularly temperature, and user-dependent processing steps that affect reproducibility and measurement reliability.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device equipped with an electronic unit, optical analysis, metering, temperature regulation, and sensors to control and regulate temperature, ensuring all processing steps occur within the device, eliminating external preparation and ambient condition fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sample preparation and metering are performed outside the measuring device, then the device structure is simpler and easier to operate, but the ambient temperature cannot be controlled and measurement reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sample preparation, metering, and measurement functions into an integrated measuring device. The sample chamber serves both as the reaction vessel and the measurement chamber, eliminating the need for separate preparation steps outside the device. This integration ensures that all processes occur under controlled temperature conditions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement reproducibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature-controlled sample chamber as an intermediary environment between the user's external sample preparation and the optical measurement system. This controlled chamber acts as a buffer that maintains stable temperature conditions regardless of ambient variations, allowing simple external sample collection while ensuring reliable reproducible measurements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the time period between metering and analysis is left to user discretion, then the operating flexibility is higher, but the measurement uncertainty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the measurement process through automated sequencing. The control system automatically coordinates the metering of reagents, the incubation time, and the optical measurement based on pre-programmed parameters. This dynamic automation maintains high operating flexibility while eliminating user-dependent timing variations that cause measurement uncertainty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback control mechanisms where the control system monitors the progress of the immunochemical reaction and automatically adjusts or terminates the measurement process at optimal time points. This feedback loop ensures that measurements are taken at the most appropriate moment for detecting analyte concentration, reducing measurement uncertainty while maintaining adaptability through programmable parameters.
3Device complexity
If temperature control is not implemented, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection reaction reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature control as a critical parameter management strategy. By maintaining the sample chamber at a controlled temperature (e.g., 37°C), the system ensures that the immunochemical detection reaction proceeds at a consistent rate regardless of ambient temperature variations. This parameter control resolves the contradiction by adding minimal complexity (a temperature-controlled chamber) to achieve significant improvements in reaction reproducibility.
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 enhances the reproducibility of biological material analysis by maintaining controlled temperature conditions, reducing measurement uncertainty and improving the reliability of results.
Implementation Method 1
a heating/cooling element (92) for generating a tempered zone (94) in a test sample holder (35)
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor (41) for detecting the ambient temperature
Implementation Method 3
a second temperature sensor (42) for detecting the temperature of the tempering block (40)
Implementation Method 4
an optical analysis unit (48) with an optical reading element (47) for detecting a color change on the test strip (37)
Data Source
AI summary
Tempering of sample (58) in test strip (37) is carried out by temperature regulating unit (40) and heating/cooling unit (92). The sample is fed to the test strip by a developer fluid (57) and a metering unit (55). The result of the detection reaction becomes visible by a change in color (36), which is detected optically and analyzed. The data of a control chart (52) with the measured values of first and second temperature sensors (41, 42) are used to set the control parameters for tempering. Code (86) on the test sample holder (35) is read in a sequence of steps. Parameters for phases of the measurement are determined from measured values of first and second temperature sensors, values of the control chart and the code of the test sample holder. These parameters are used by the temperature regulating unit during the measurement.