Mirror-Based Sample Tube Imaging for High-Throughput Density Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical methodologies for density analysis are limited by the obfuscation of sample views within sample tubes, particularly in high-throughput testing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a plate with sample deposition tubes and a mirror positioned to project an image of the tubes parallel to the plate's surface, allowing for the determination of analyte locations and densities within the tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sample tubes are arranged in a plate for high-throughput testing, then the productivity increases, but the view of samples inside tubes becomes obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical imaging dimension by positioning the camera above the plate and using a mirror to reflect the vertical axis of the tubes onto a horizontal plane. This allows simultaneous viewing of multiple tubes arranged in the plate without physical obstruction, resolving the contradiction between high-throughput arrangement and sample visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element to redirect light from the sample tubes. The mirror positioned at 45 degrees reflects the vertical view of samples into a horizontal projection, enabling the camera to capture images of multiple tubes simultaneously without direct line-of-sight obstruction.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a mirror is positioned to project images of sample tubes, then the sample visibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror creates an optical copy or projection of the sample tube contents onto a different plane. Instead of physically accessing each tube, the system captures reflected light to form an image that can be viewed and analyzed, simplifying the overall detection mechanism while maintaining visibility.
3Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned to capture images through the plate, then the sample analysis accuracy improves, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from direct vertical imaging through the plate to an indirect imaging approach using mirror reflection. The camera captures images in a horizontal plane that represents the vertical arrangement of samples, achieving accurate analyte location determination while simplifying the optical path configuration.
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 high-throughput density analysis by allowing for the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, improving the efficiency and accuracy of density-based separations and characterizations.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror positioned to project, substantially parallel to the main surface of the plate, an image of the sample deposition tube along its vertical axis
Data Source
AI summary
A device is disclosed, including: a plate including a sample deposition tube adapted to receive a sample comprising one or more analytes, the sample deposition tube defining a vertical axis substantially perpendicular to a main surface of the plate; and a mirror positioned to project, substantially parallel to the main surface of the plate, an image of the sample deposition tube along its vertical axis, so as to allow determination of the vertical location of the one or more analytes inside the sample deposition tube. Methods for determining the density of one or more analytes using various embodiments of the device are also described.