Laser-Welded Fluorescence Cassette for Leak-Proof Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices with adhesive foils or films for fluorescence detection in liquid samples face issues with storage stability, leading to potential leaks, contamination, and measurement inaccuracies due to varying cell heights over time.

Innovation Solution

A measuring cassette with a fluid-tight measuring cell formed by laser-welded optically transparent components, ensuring no sample liquid reaches the fluorescence detector and reducing contamination risks, while allowing for automated production and improved long-term stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive foil or adhesive film is used to form the measuring cell, then the device can be produced with simple structure, but storage stability deteriorates leading to leaks and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding method (adhesive) with a physical bonding method (laser welding). The measuring cell is formed by laser-welding together a base plate, cover plate, and spacer, eliminating the need for adhesive foil or film. This substitution provides permanent, reliable sealing that maintains fluid-tight integrity during long-term storage while still allowing for automated manufacturing through laser welding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If adhesive foil is used to seal the measuring cell, then initial fluid-tightness is achieved, but long-term stability deteriorates due to material changes and cracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tightnessVSAvoidstorage period

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesive) with laser welding to create permanent seals. The laser-welded joints between the base plate, cover plate, and spacer provide robust, crack-resistant sealing that maintains fluid-tight integrity throughout long-term storage, eliminating the degradation issues associated with adhesive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring cell employs a composite structure made of laser-welded components (base plate, cover plate, spacer) that work together to provide enhanced sealing performance. The combination of these welded parts creates a more reliable and durable seal compared to single-material adhesive constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive film is used in the measuring cell, then initial assembly is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying cell heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive bonding with laser welding to create rigid, dimensionally stable joints. The laser-welded measuring cell maintains consistent cell height and spacing throughout storage and use, ensuring reliable optical path geometry for fluorescence detection while still enabling automated production through laser welding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution provides a reliable, leak-proof, and contamination-resistant system for fluorescence detection, maintaining measurement accuracy and simplifying production, with enhanced long-term stability and reduced risk of contamination.

Implementation Method 1

light of a suitable wavelength (excitation radiation) is directed on to a boundary surface between the liquid sample to be analysed and a surface of an optically transparent material, so that the excitation radiation is reflected totally with simultaneous generation of an evanescent field in the liquid sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The evanescent field interacts with the liquid sample, and can excite fluorophores present in this field to fluorescence radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS9517466B2Measuring cassette and measuring device for the detection of target molecules in a liquid sample by measurement of fluorescence emission after excitation in an evanescent field

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 DIASYS DIAGNOSTIC SYST

AI summary

An interchangeable disposable measuring cassette for insertion into a measuring apparatus for detecting target molecules in a liquid sample by measuring fluorescence emission has a flow measurement cell in which an excitation radiation provided by the measuring apparatus produces an evanescent field in the liquid sample beyond a boundary layer for the liquid sample and the measurement cell. To be better able to ensure that no sample liquid can cross from the measurement cell into the measuring apparatus, the measuring cassette includes a body including an optically transparent material and a base in contact with the underside of the body. The measurement cell is formed by a cutout provided in the body, the base, or both. The areas on which the body and the base are on top of one another around this cutout are connected to one another directly and in fluid-tight fashion by laser welding.