Networked Spectrometer System for Biological Substance Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Untrained staff face challenges in predicting parameters from spectra of biological substances using spectrometry, particularly for animal and vegetable origins, due to the complexity of chemometric predictions and interpretation of results.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows untrained users to evaluate spectra by detecting available spectrometers, recording sample spectra, predicting parameter values using calibration functions, and displaying results on an input/output device, which can include portable infrared or Raman spectrometers and devices like tablets or smartphones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If chemometric prediction methods are used to predict parameters from spectra, then information on biological substances can be obtained, but untrained staff struggle with the complexity of prediction and interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a web server and database that mediates between the spectrometer and the user. This intermediary handles the complex chemometric predictions and presents simplified results, allowing untrained staff to access spectral information without dealing with the underlying complexity. The web-based interface acts as a mediator that translates complex spectral data into understandable parameter predictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automating the entire prediction process. The spectrometer automatically captures spectra, the web server automatically performs chemometric predictions using stored calibration functions, and results are automatically displayed. This eliminates the need for trained personnel to manually interpret spectra, as the system serves itself by handling all complex operations autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If classical quantitative analyses are used to obtain parameter information, then accurate results are achieved, but the process is very cost and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter prediction accuracyVSAvoidanalysis speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical analysis processes of classical quantitative analysis with optical spectrometry combined with chemometric calculations. Instead of physical separation and chemical reactions required in classical methods, the system uses light interaction with the sample and mathematical predictions, dramatically reducing analysis time while maintaining accuracy through calibrated prediction models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing calibration functions and prediction models in the database during the setup phase. Once calibrated, the system can rapidly predict parameters without repeating the complex calibration process for each sample. This preliminary preparation enables fast, accurate predictions for subsequent analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple spectrometers are used to increase measurement capability, then more samples can be analyzed, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capacityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal system where a single web server and database can serve multiple spectrometers. The web-based interface and centralized database provide multi-functional capabilities, allowing different spectrometers to share common software resources, calibration data, and prediction algorithms. This universal architecture enables the system to handle multiple instruments without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple spectrometers into a unified networked platform. By combining the spectrometers under a common web server and database infrastructure, the system consolidates control and data management functions. This merging approach allows multiple measurement devices to operate coordinatedly while sharing computational resources and analytical methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 untrained users to easily predict parameters such as amino acid content, protein levels, and other nutritional factors in biological samples, simplifying the interpretation of complex spectral data and providing valuable information previously accessible only through costly and time-consuming classical analyses.

Implementation Method 1

infrared spectrometry in combination with chemometrics and calibration functions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared spectrometry: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 2

based on near infrared spectrometry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear infrared spectrometry: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS12140533B2Method for evaluating spectra of biological substances of animal origin, vegetable origin or a mixture thereof
Publication Date: 2024.11.12 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A method for evaluating spectra of a biological substance of animal and/or vegetable origin, may include (a) detecting a spectrometer in a network formed of at least one spectrometer and an input/output device, (b) requesting the individual status of each spectrometer in the network of (a), and displaying the detected spectrometers and their status on the input/output device, the status reflecting if a spectrometer is available for recording a spectrum or not, (c) receiving a selection from the spectrometers being available for recording a spectrum on the input/output device, (d) recording a spectrum of a sample material of animal origin, vegetable origin or a mixture thereof on the spectrometer selected in (c), (e) predicting a value for at least one parameter from the spectrum of (d) by a calibration function and/or calibration graph suitable for predicting the parameter value, and (e) displaying the result from (e) on the input/output device.