Optical Analysis Device Scanning Light Detection Region

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical analysis techniques using confocal microscopes struggle to detect and quantify light-emitting particles at low concentrations due to the need for statistical averaging, which requires high concentrations of fluorescent molecules and lengthy measurement times, limiting their sensitivity and sample efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An optical analysis device with a movable light detection region that scans the sample solution, allowing for individual detection of light-emitting particles by generating time series light intensity data, where the measuring unit time is set based on the size and speed of the light detection region to optimize signal detection and reduce data volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If statistical averaging is used to detect fluorescent molecules, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases and sensitivity to low concentrations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the detection process by moving the light detection region to scan through the sample solution, detecting individual light-emitting particles one by one rather than measuring bulk fluorescence statistically. This segmentation enables detection at low concentrations without requiring lengthy statistical averaging, thus reducing measurement time while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light detection region is moved periodically through the sample solution at a controlled speed, creating a time-series detection pattern. This periodic scanning allows individual particles to be detected sequentially, enabling reliable detection at low concentrations without the need for prolonged statistical measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If statistical averaging is used to detect fluorescent molecules, then measurement reliability is improved, but sensitivity to low concentrations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to low concentrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection method is segmented into individual particle detection events, where the light detection region scans through and identifies each light-emitting particle separately. This approach maintains measurement reliability while achieving high sensitivity to low concentrations by counting individual particles rather than relying on statistical averaging of bulk signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The periodic movement of the light detection region creates systematic sampling of the sample solution, ensuring that even rare, low-concentration particles are detected with high reliability. The controlled scanning speed and detection timing enable precise sensitivity at low concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If high time resolution is used to detect individual particle signals, then signal detection accuracy is improved, but data volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection accuracyVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The light detection region moves periodically through the sample solution at a controlled speed, creating a time-series data pattern with inherent temporal structure. This periodic scanning approach achieves high signal detection accuracy through appropriate time resolution while reducing overall data volume by eliminating redundant measurements and focusing on particle passage events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the detection process to match particle passage events, collecting high-resolution data only when particles are detected rather than continuously. This dynamic approach maintains signal detection accuracy while significantly reducing the total data volume that would result from continuous high-resolution monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the light detection region is moved quickly through the sample, then measurement time is reduced, but signal detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidsignal detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light detection region moves periodically through the sample solution at an optimized speed that balances measurement efficiency with detection accuracy. The periodic scanning pattern ensures that particles are detected with sufficient temporal resolution to maintain signal accuracy while keeping the overall measurement time short compared to statistical methods.

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

This approach enables the precise detection of light-emitting particles at lower concentrations, reducing measurement time and sample volume while maintaining signal accuracy and separating particle signals from noise, thus improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of optical analysis.