Optical Flow Cell with Variable Pathlength Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical flow cells face inaccuracies in measurement due to non-linear absorption responses at high or low concentrations, and varying path lengths lead to poor signal-to-noise ratios, requiring complex and costly systems with multiple optical paths.

Innovation Solution

An optical flow cell with a variable optical pathlength adjuster, using a retractable optical pathlength modifier and actuator, such as a piezo-electric cantilever driver or magnetic element, to rapidly adjust the pathlength within the fluid flow channel, allowing accurate and fast measurements across a wide concentration range without multiple optical paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed optical path length is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different concentration ranges is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different concentration rangesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a variable optical path length by moving the optical detector along the fluid flow channel to different measurement positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different concentration ranges by selecting appropriate path lengths, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the optical path length is increased, then the measurement precision for low concentrations is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates for high concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the optical path length by repositioning the detector along the flow channel. For low concentrations, the detector is positioned to maximize path length and thus measurement precision. For high concentrations, the path length is reduced to maintain optimal signal-to-noise ratio, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and signal-to-noise ratio across different concentration ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical paths are provided, then the adaptability to different concentrations is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different concentrationsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple measurement capabilities into a single optical path by allowing the detector to move to different positions along the fluid flow channel. This eliminates the need for multiple separate optical paths while maintaining adaptability to different concentration ranges, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a moveable optical fibre is used to vary optical path length, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path length variationVSAvoidmeasurement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical moveable optical fibre system with a stationary detector that moves along a fixed flow channel. This substitution maintains the ability to vary optical path length while improving measurement speed by eliminating the complexity and speed limitations of moveable fibre systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate, real-time measurements across a broad concentration range with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced complexity and cost by eliminating the need for multiple optical paths, suitable for bioprocessing applications like chromatography and filtration.

Implementation Method 1

an output optical waveguide configured to emit light into said fluid flow channel, a collector optical waveguide configured to collect light from said fluid flow channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and collection: Light

Implementation Method 2

the amount of light passing though the fluid in a cavity of the optical flow cell adheres to the Beer-Lambert law

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a linear relationship between optical absorbance and the concentration of an absorbing substance, such that the amount of light passing though the fluid in a cavity of the optical flow cell adheres to the Beer-Lambert law

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeer-Lambert law: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12411074B2Optical flow cell for bioprocessing

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 CYTIVA SWEDEN AB

AI summary

Disclosed is an optical flow cell and a method for bioprocessing applications. The optical flow cell comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid flow channel provided between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet. The optical flow cell also comprises an output optical waveguide configured to emit light into said fluid flow channel, and a collector optical waveguide to collect light from said fluid flow channel. An optical path-length adjuster for varying the optical pathlength between said output optical waveguide and said collector optical waveguide is also provided.