Optical Sensor Biologically Reactive Surface Low Power Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensors for detecting biological substances in fluid samples are often inefficient, costly, and require significant power, making them unsuitable for mobile or remote applications where access to power sources is limited.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system comprising an optical emitter, detector, and a biologically reactive surface that changes optical properties upon binding with target materials, using low power consumption and capable of detecting changes in fluorescence intensity to indicate the presence of substances, with calibration circuitry to provide accurate signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional sensors are used to detect biological substances, then detection capability is achieved, but power consumption is high and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical/chemical sensing mechanisms with an optical detection system. The biologically reactive surface binds target materials and modulates optical properties (reflectivity, absorption, fluorescence), which are detected by optical sensors. This optical substitution reduces power consumption while maintaining detection reliability through non-contact measurement and high optical contrast.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in optical properties (color, reflectivity, fluorescence) of the biologically reactive surface upon binding with target materials. These optical changes provide a reliable detection signal that can be measured with low-power optical detectors, resolving the contradiction between low power consumption and high detection reliability.
2Productivity
If conventional sensors are used for analysis, then detection is achieved, but operational speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system replaces slow conventional measurement methods with rapid optical measurement. Optical properties can be measured instantaneously without mechanical movement or chemical reaction delays, enabling fast analysis while maintaining precision through high-resolution optical detection and signal processing.
3Ease of operation
If sensors are designed for mobile applications, then portability is improved, but access to power supply becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing system replaces power-intensive electrical and chemical sensing mechanisms with low-power optical detection. Optical detectors require minimal power compared to conventional sensors, enabling operation in mobile applications with limited power supply such as battery-powered or remote devices.
4Reliability
If conventional sensors are deployed, then substance detection is achieved, but overall system cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional sensing components with cost-effective optical components. The biologically reactive surface can be fabricated using inexpensive materials and techniques, and optical detectors are generally lower cost than equivalent electrical or chemical sensors, reducing overall system cost while maintaining detection capability.
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
The optical sensor system effectively detects the presence of target materials in fluid samples with low power usage, making it suitable for mobile and remote applications while maintaining efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The optical emitter emits light onto the biologically reactive surface, and the optical detector receives light from the biologically reactive surface
Implementation Method 2
Fluorescence is generated in the biologically reactive surface by exciting fluorescent molecules in said biologically reactive surface with the optical emitter
Implementation Method 3
The biologically reactive surface may comprise one or more membranes of reactive materials that exhibit changes, such as colorimetric changes or fluorescence changes, in response to binding with a target material
Implementation Method 4
The biologically reactive surface may comprise one or more membranes of reactive materials that exhibit changes, such as colorimetric changes or fluorescence changes, in response to binding with a target material
Data Source
AI summary
An improved optical sensor and methods for measuring the presence of various materials or constituents in a fluid sample uses one or more reactive materials in a fluid environment. The reactive materials have optical properties that change in the presence of one or more target materials that may be present in the environment. One or more optical emitters generate light that is directed to the reactive material(s), and one or more optical detectors receive light from the reactive material(s), and the presence or absence of the target material is determined based on the light received at the optical detector(s). The reactive material(s), emitter(s), and detector(s) are selected based on the desired target material to be sensed.