Osmometry Sample Cup Plug for Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osmometry sample containers face issues with solvent evaporation, contamination, and probe positioning, leading to inaccurate measurements and increased complexity in multi-sample workflows, while existing cleaning methods are inefficient and prone to operator variability.
Innovation Solution
A plug for osmometry sample cups that prevents significant evaporation, properly positions and cleans the temperature probe, and provides a fluidic seal to maintain sample integrity, featuring a diaphragm for probe insertion and sealing elements to prevent contamination and evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open-top sample cups are used, then ease of operation is improved, but sample solvent evaporates and sample concentration increases leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sealed sample cups that are pre-closed and discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need to open and close cups repeatedly, preventing evaporation while maintaining ease of operation. The cups are designed to be inexpensive and single-use, aligning with the principle of using cheap, short-living objects to solve the contradiction between operational convenience and measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If closed-top cups are used, then evaporation and contamination are prevented, but operator intervention is required to open the cup immediately before testing eliminating the possibility of staging multiple samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable sealed sample cups that maintain their closed state until use. Each cup is designed for single-use, eliminating the need to open and close reusable cups. This allows multiple sealed cups to be staged in advance without requiring operator intervention to open them before testing, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation for multi-sample workflows.
3Reliability
If manual cleaning of the probe is performed, then cleaning can be done, but it adds complexity to the instrument and increases overall test time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where the probe is automatically cleaned by the system itself without requiring separate manual intervention. The probe cleaning is integrated into the measurement process, allowing the probe to be cleaned between samples automatically. This reduces device complexity by eliminating separate cleaning mechanisms while maintaining reliable probe cleanliness for accurate measurements.
4Reliability
If manual cleaning of the probe is performed, then cleaning can be done, but operators often forget to clean resulting in carryover contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-cleaning system where the probe automatically cleans itself between measurements without requiring operator action. This eliminates the risk of operators forgetting to clean the probe, preventing carryover contamination and maintaining reliability. The system handles cleaning automatically, improving ease of operation by removing this manual step from the workflow.
5Reliability
If automated cleaning systems are used, then cleaning is more consistent, but it adds complexity and time to the overall process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a streamlined self-cleaning mechanism that integrates probe cleaning directly into the measurement process without requiring separate automated cleaning cycles. The probe cleans itself automatically between samples through a simple, efficient mechanism that does not add significant time to the overall process. This maintains consistent cleaning quality for reliable measurements while preserving productivity by avoiding complex, time-consuming automated cleaning systems.
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 plug significantly reduces solvent evaporation, ensures accurate probe positioning, and minimizes contamination by creating a fluidic seal and assisting in probe cleaning, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of osmometry measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The plug includes a diaphragm, which can be penetrated by the probe during insertion, and one or more sealing elements for sealing engagement with the cup. The diaphragm and sealing element(s) together provide a fluidic seal to prevent significant evaporation of a sample from the cup prior to insertion of the probe.
Implementation Method 2
The plug also helps to position a temperature probe properly within the sample cup or vial
Implementation Method 3
The plug also helps to position a temperature probe properly within the sample cup or vial and helps to clean the temperature probe as it is inserted into and withdrawn from the cup or vial.
Implementation Method 4
Osmometry measurements by the method of freezing point depression are conducted by supercooling a quantity of sample solution in a container, freezing the solution, and measuring its equilibrium melting temperature via a temperature probe
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A plug for an osmometry sample cup or vial is provided that seals the sample cup or vial to prevent significant evaporation of a sample solution in the cup or vial prior to obtaining an osmolality measurement.