Optical Sensor Single-Point Calibration for Non-Volatile Analytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical-chemical sensors require multiple calibration measurements and complex setups for accurate determination of non-volatile analytes, which is time-consuming, costly, and limits their use in low-cost, miniaturized, and portable applications, especially for analytes like ions and metabolites where suitable indicators are scarce.
Innovation Solution
A method using a luminescent indicator dye in an optical sensor that allows for single-point calibration at the user site, eliminating the need for calibration media by employing a 'wet to dry' relationship derived from factory-site calibration, enabling the determination of non-volatile analyte concentrations with a single excitation and emission wavelength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple calibration measurements with various calibrating media are performed, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs comprehensive calibration measurements at the factory site before the sensor reaches the user. Multiple calibrating media with different analyte concentrations are used to establish the full calibration curve in advance. This preliminary action transfers the time-consuming calibration process from the user site to the factory, allowing the user to perform only a single rapid measurement without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process is segmented into two distinct phases: factory-site calibration (comprehensive, multiple concentrations) and user-site measurement (single-point, rapid). This segmentation allows the complex multi-concentration calibration to be performed once during manufacturing, while the user only needs to perform a simple single-point measurement, dramatically reducing time consumption at the user site.
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibrating media and complex sensing elements are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs comprehensive calibration measurements at the factory site before the sensor reaches the user. Multiple calibrating media with different analyte concentrations are used to establish the full calibration curve in advance. This preliminary action transfers the time-consuming calibration process from the user site to the factory, allowing the user to perform only a single rapid measurement without sacrificing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the calibration data (calibration curve parameters) and stores it in the sensor's memory. Instead of requiring physical calibration media at the user site, the sensor contains a reproduced version of the calibration information obtained at the factory. This copying approach eliminates the need for users to purchase and handle multiple calibrating media, reducing both cost and complexity.
3Reliability
If sensors are stored in high humidity packages to maintain functionality, then sensor performance is preserved, but shelf-life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameter from high humidity to dry conditions. By designing the sensor and packaging to maintain functionality in a dry state, the shelf-life is extended significantly. The sensor is only hydrated when actually used for measurement, not during storage. This parameter change from wet to dry storage resolves the contradiction between maintaining performance and extending shelf-life.
4Adaptability or versatility
If electrochemical sensors with reference electrodes are used, then diverse analytes can be detected, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the reference electrode component from the sensing system. Instead of using complex electrochemical sensors that require reference electrodes, the invention employs optical sensors that detect analytes through optical properties (absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence). This extraction of the reference electrode simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to detect diverse analytes through appropriate optical indicator selection.
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 simplifies the calibration process, reduces costs, and enables rapid, accurate measurements of non-volatile analytes without the need for calibration media, making it suitable for low-cost, miniaturized, and portable devices, such as those used in medical diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor which contains a luminescent indicator dye whose luminescence depends on the concentration of the analyte
Implementation Method 2
measuring at the user site the luminescence of the dry sensor yielding a user-site dry calibration value
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the determination of the concentration of a non-volatile analyte in an aqueous sample medium, with the use of an optical sensor which contains a luminescent dye and is calibrated at the user site by means of a single-point-calibration. To enable the user to completely dispense with all calibration media a luminescence measurement value is obtained at the user site with the sensor in contact with the aqueous or bloodlike sample medium, which value is referenced to the relative characteristic obtained at the factory site and to a measured dry calibration value obtained at the user site, the concentration of the non-volatile analyte being deduced from these data.