Optochemical Sensor Unit Using Weak Magnetic Field for Microsphere Attraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optochemical sensor units require strong magnetic fields to operate magnetic microspheres, leading to high energy expenditure and potential inefficiencies in analyte detection.
Innovation Solution
An optochemical sensor unit with a low-energy design that uses an optical waveguide, a transmitting unit, and a receiving unit, along with a measuring chamber containing magnetic microspheres, where a weak magnetic field is used to attract microspheres to a sensor membrane or optical waveguide, allowing for efficient analyte detection through fluorescence quenching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong magnetic field is used to attract magnetic microspheres, then the microspheres can be effectively drawn out of the measuring medium, but the energy expenditure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the optical waveguide with a luminophore layer before introducing the magnetic microspheres. This preparation ensures that when the microspheres are attracted to the waveguide by a weak magnetic field, they are already in optimal position for fluorescence quenching measurement, eliminating the need for strong magnetic fields to move them during the measurement process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/magnetic manipulation system with an optical detection system. Instead of using strong magnetic fields to manipulate and position microspheres, the system uses a weak magnetic field for minimal positioning and relies on optical fluorescence quenching to detect analyte concentration, thereby substituting mechanical action with optical detection
2Measurement precision
If magnetic microspheres are used in the measuring medium, then analyte detection is enabled through fluorescence quenching, but a comparatively strong magnetic field is required to operate the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the luminophore coating directly onto the optical waveguide surface, creating an integrated structure where the waveguide and luminophore form a unified detection element. This merging eliminates the need for separate magnetic manipulation systems, as the luminophore-coated waveguide itself becomes the detection platform that requires only minimal magnetic field for microsphere attraction
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide with luminophore coating serves itself as the detection platform. The waveguide naturally guides the excitation light and collects the emitted fluorescence signal, eliminating the need for external optical components and strong magnetic field systems. The system uses its own structure to perform the detection function
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 sensor unit achieves efficient analyte detection with reduced energy consumption by using a weak magnetic field to accumulate microspheres, enhancing measurement homogeneity and accuracy while minimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting unit (6) for emitting a first transmission signal for exciting a luminophore (101), and a receiving unit (8) for receiving a received signal comprising a signal component emitted by the excited luminophore
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit has an electromagnet which is provided to attract magnetic microspheres to the aforementioned sensor membrane or wall with fluid-contacting surface, and/or to an optical waveguide with fluid-contacting surface
Implementation Method 3
The sensor-active substance can then attach as quencher to the luminophore and reduce the luminescence, especially the fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
An optochemical sensor unit including: an optical waveguide; a transmitting unit for emitting a first transmission signal for exciting a luminophore; a receiving unit for receiving a received signal comprising a signal component emitted by the excited luminophore; a measuring chamber for receiving a fluid, wherein the fluid includes magnetic microspheres; a membrane arranged between the measuring chamber and a measuring medium for exchanging an analyte between the measuring medium and the fluid in the measuring chamber, wherein the measuring diaphragm is impermeable to the magnetic microspheres; and an electromagnet for attracting magnetic microspheres to a sensor membrane with a fluid-contacting surface and/or to a fluid-contacting surface of the optical waveguide, or to a surface of a transparent substrate layer of the optical sensor unit that is connected to the optical waveguide.