Portable Luminescence Measuring Device with Interchangeable Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spectrometers are limited in analyzing luminescent samples as they rely on light attenuation, which is not applicable to samples that emit their own radiation, and lack the capability to measure photoluminescent or chemiluminescent samples effectively.

Innovation Solution

A portable measuring device equipped with a housing, sample container, illuminating device, radiation receiver, and evaluation device, featuring a camera and control system for capturing and analyzing luminescent samples, allowing for wireless data transmission and storage of measurement data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional spectrometers use light attenuation measurement method, then they can measure non-luminescent fluid samples, but they cannot measure luminescent samples that emit their own radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability for different sample typesVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy for luminescent samples
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is designed to perform multiple measurement functions: it can measure both non-luminescent samples using light attenuation (spectrophotometry) and luminescent samples using radiation detection. The device includes a light source for illuminating non-luminescent samples and a radiation receiver for detecting luminescence from luminescent samples, making it a universal measuring instrument that adapts to different sample types without requiring separate specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If spectrometers measure light beam attenuation through samples, then they determine analyte concentration in non-luminescent samples, but the method fails for samples that emit their own radiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalyte concentration measurementVSAvoidapplicability to luminescent samples
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses an illuminating device as an intermediary to excite luminescent samples to emit radiation, which is then detected by the radiation receiver. For non-luminescent samples, the same illuminating device provides light that passes through the sample, and the radiation receiver detects the transmitted light. This intermediary illumination approach allows the device to measure different sample types through different physical mechanisms while using a unified hardware platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a portable measuring device is designed with integrated components, then it achieves compactness and portability, but adding camera and data recording functions increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and field usabilityVSAvoidnumber of integrated components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated portable unit: the measuring head combines the radiation receiver, illuminating device, and evaluation electronics; the base part integrates the camera, microphone, display, and control unit; and these components communicate through wireless or wired connections. This merging approach maintains portability while adding documentation capabilities, as the camera and microphone are integrated into the handheld base part rather than requiring separate external devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it controls the illuminating device and radiation receiver for measurements, processes measurement data, controls the camera and microphone for documentation, and manages wireless data transmission. This multi-functional control unit reduces the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function, thereby managing device complexity while providing comprehensive capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If measuring device includes camera and microphone for documentation, then it enhances field measurement capability, but it increases power consumption and energy source requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement context documentationVSAvoidpower consumption for documentation functions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera and microphone are activated periodically or on-demand based on measurement events rather than continuously. The control unit triggers the camera to capture images or video at specific measurement moments and activates the microphone for voice documentation when needed, rather than keeping these components running continuously. This periodic activation significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous operation while still providing comprehensive documentation of measurement contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables the measurement and analysis of luminescent samples, including photoluminescent and chemiluminescent types, by capturing emitted radiation and providing real-time data analysis and storage, enhancing the device's usability and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

at least one illuminating device (15) for illuminating the luminescent sample (14) in order to excite the luminescent sample (14) to afterglow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

at least one radiation receiver device (18) for receiving the radiation emitted by the luminescent sample (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3058349B1Measuring device
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 OASE GMBH
  • EP3058349B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3058349B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3058349B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device ready for analysing a luminescent sample and in particular for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a luminescent sample, comprising: a housing having a sample receiving chamber for receiving a sample container; a sample container for receiving the luminescent sample; a radiation receiver device for receiving radiation emitted by the luminescent sample, and an evaluation device for evaluating the radiation received by the radiation receiver device from the luminescent sample. Moreover the invention provides a measuring device comprising a base part and a measurement head interchangeably disposed on the base part, wherein the measurement head is designed for analysing a luminescent sample or as a spectrometer measurement head.