Measuring Head Illumination for Small Liquid Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for light spectroscopic analysis of small liquid samples face challenges in visibility and handling due to the difficulty in identifying the small receiving point, leading to partial application and contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a light-emitting diode as an additional illumination source below the recording point, combined with light guides that allow excitation and signal light to pass through, and a translucent area to enhance visibility of the recording point for precise application and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the receiving area is made small to accommodate small sample volumes, then the device can handle small quantities of liquid samples, but the receiving area becomes difficult to see with the naked eye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second illumination dimension by placing an LED below the receiving area, illuminating it from the bottom up through the transparent base. This complementary illumination direction enhances visibility without increasing the horizontal footprint of the receiving area, allowing small sample volumes to be accommodated while improving visual detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an LED as an illumination source that can emit light in specific wavelengths visible to the human eye. By using LED illumination with appropriate color characteristics, the receiving area becomes more visually distinct and easier to locate, directly addressing the visibility problem associated with small sample volumes.
2Quantity of substance
If the receiving area is made small for precise sample application, then sample consumption is reduced, but the difficulty of precisely applying the liquid sample increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides illumination of the receiving area before the sample application occurs. This preliminary visual preparation allows the user to clearly identify the target location and boundaries of the receiving area, enabling more precise sample application even though the area itself remains small for minimal sample consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED illumination acts as an intermediary that mediates between the small receiving area and the user's visual system. By providing enhanced visual information about the receiving area's location and boundaries, the illumination facilitates precise sample application without requiring the receiving area to be larger.
3Quantity of substance
If the receiving area is small, then sample volume is minimized, but sample loss outside the receiving area occurs due to poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The LED illumination is activated before sample application to provide visual guidance. This preliminary visual information enables the user to accurately target the receiving area, ensuring that the entire sample volume is deposited within the intended boundaries and preventing sample loss due to misplaced application.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system provides real-time visual feedback about the receiving area's location and boundaries during the sample application process. This continuous visual information allows the user to adjust their application technique to ensure complete sample containment within the small receiving area, minimizing sample loss.
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
Improves the visibility and handling of small liquid samples by ensuring accurate application and minimizing contamination, allowing for effective spectroscopic analysis without compromising the analysis volume or device cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting diode is provided as an illumination source immediately below the receiving area
Implementation Method 2
optical fibers designed to guide excitation light from the light source to the sample and signal light from the sample for subsequent detection and analysis
Implementation Method 3
a region is provided immediately below the receiving area which extends from the illumination source to the underside of the receiving area and is transparent to the light from the illumination source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for the light spectroscopic analysis of a small amount of a liquid sample, comprising a receiving point (3) for receiving small amounts of the liquid sample, and light conductors (5, 6) which guide light of a light source to the sample and guide signal light from the sample in the direction of a detector, and is characterised in that an illumination source (7) is arranged below the receiving point (3), and a region (8) below the receiving point (3) which is permeable for the light of the illumination source (7), is provided such that the illumination light illuminates the receiving point (3).