Optrode Analyte Concentration via Sensor Dye Exchange Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining analyte concentration in sample liquids often require reference samples or measurements, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a sensor dye immobilized on a carrier unit, where excitation radiation induces luminescence, and the analyte concentration is determined by exploiting the indirect exchange interaction between sensor dye molecules and analyte particles, allowing for concentration measurement without reference samples through luminescence properties like lifetime or polarization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference samples or reference measurements are used to determine analyte concentration, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but cost and efficiency deteriorate due to the complexity and cost of reference sample preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor dye molecules serve themselves as both the sensing element and the reference element. The same immobilized sensor dye molecules provide both the analyte-specific signal and the concentration-independent signal, eliminating the need for separate reference samples or measurements. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement accuracy through self-referencing while eliminating the complexity of external reference preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The immobilized sensor dye molecules perform multiple functions simultaneously: they detect the analyte-specific interaction and also provide the concentration-independent luminescence signal that serves as an internal reference. This multi-functionality allows a single element to replace what would traditionally require separate reference samples, improving efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
2Productivity
If sensor dye molecules are immobilized on a carrier unit, then direct measurement without reference samples becomes possible, but the interaction between polymer matrix and sensor dye may alter optical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific chemical environment within the polymer matrix through sulfonation. The sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) matrix provides localized chemical groups that interact with the sensor dye in a controlled manner, minimizing non-specific interactions that would alter optical properties while maintaining the benefits of immobilization for direct measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the polymer matrix by introducing sulfonated groups. This parameter change modifies the matrix-dye interactions to be more favorable, reducing unwanted alterations to the sensor dye's optical properties while preserving the immobilization benefits that enable reference-free measurement.
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 cost-effective determination of analyte concentration by leveraging the indirect exchange interaction, providing a direct measurement of analyte concentration without the need for reference samples, using properties like luminescence lifetime or polarization.
Implementation Method 1
excitation radiation triggers luminescence radiation from the sensor dye
Implementation Method 2
fluorescent sensor molecules are added to the sample fluid
Implementation Method 3
the dependence of the investigated property of the luminescence radiation on an indirect exchange interaction between the molecules of the sensor dye, which interact via particles of the analyte
Implementation Method 4
The excitation radiation triggers luminescence radiation from the sensor dye, which is applied to a radiation detector to generate a detector output signal
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample liquid, in which method a) by means of a radiation source (3, 10, 17, 25, 31) excitation radiation is directed onto a carrier unit (5, 13, 20, 26, 33) which has immobilised molecules of a sensor dye sensitive to the analyte and which is in contact with the sample liquid, b) a proportion of luminescent radiation of the sensor dye initiated by the excitation radiation is put onto a radiation detector (4, 14, 21, 28, 34, 35) in order to generate a detector output signal therefrom, and c) an evaluation routine ascertains the analyte concentration from the detector output signal, with a dependence of a property of the luminescent radiation on the concentration of the analyte in the sample liquid being utilised, characterised in that d) the dependence of the investigated property of the luminescent radiation on an exchange interaction between the molecules of the sensor dye is utilised in order to ascertain the analyte concentration, the exchange interaction taking place when the molecules of the sensor dye interact with the particles of the analyte. The invention also relates to setting up an optrode to carry out the method.