Interchangeable Photonic Sensor for Fluid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic analysis devices face challenges in efficiently replacing sensors with temporary receptors, which can become saturated or require different receptors for detecting different analytes, leading to costly and cumbersome alignment issues during sensor replacement.
Innovation Solution
A compact, integrated electronic analysis device design featuring a consumable and interchangeable sensor with a photonic chip, cap, and sensor support, where the light source is positioned on the cap or closing element, ensuring alignment is maintained during manufacturing, and the sensor is easily replaceable without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sensor with temporary receptors is made interchangeable and consumable, then the cost and complexity of replacing sensors is reduced, but the alignment precision between light source and light guide becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable support unit containing the light source and light guide, and a consumable sensor unit with receptors. The light source is integrated into the support unit rather than the sensor, separating the alignment-critical components from the replaceable elements. This segmentation allows the sensor to be easily replaced while the support unit maintains precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is pre-positioned and aligned with the light guide during manufacturing of the support unit. This preliminary alignment action is performed once during assembly, eliminating the need for users to perform alignment when replacing sensors. The alignment is established in advance and maintained throughout the device's operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the light source is integrated into the sensor, then alignment is simplified, but the sensor cannot be easily replaced without losing alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable support unit containing the light source and light guide, and a consumable sensor unit with receptors. The light source is integrated into the support unit rather than the sensor, separating the alignment-critical components from the replaceable elements. This segmentation allows the sensor to be easily replaced while the support unit maintains precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is pre-positioned and aligned with the light guide during manufacturing of the support unit. This preliminary alignment action is performed once during assembly, eliminating the need for users to perform alignment when replacing sensors. The alignment is established in advance and maintained throughout the device's operation.
3Reliability
If the entire device is replaced instead of just the sensor, then alignment issues are avoided, but the cost and time for replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable support unit containing the light source and light guide, and a consumable sensor unit with receptors. This segmentation allows only the sensor to be replaced while the support unit with its precisely aligned optical components remains in place, maintaining reliability without the cost and time of replacing the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor with temporary receptors is designed as a disposable, consumable component that can be easily replaced. The support unit with the light source and light guide is designed as a durable, reusable component. This allows the short-living sensor to be replaced without affecting the long-living support unit, maintaining alignment and reducing replacement costs.
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 design minimizes errors in analyte detection, ensures accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis, and reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the replacement process and maintaining receptor protection.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is shaped to enable the formation of light interference, and the receptors are integrated into the light guide. The local property change generated by the interaction between the analyte and the receptors in the light guide creates light interference.
Implementation Method 2
an optical detector to measure at least one optical parameter of the light beam, at the outlet of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic device (1) for analyzing an analyte (2) present in a fluid, comprising:a sensor (10) comprising a photonic chip (12) comprising a light guide (13) in which receptors (14) are arranged capable of interacting with the analyte present in the fluid, the interaction causing a local property change, anda sensor support (50);a closing element (60);a local property change transducer capable of converting the local property change into an electronic signal expressing the local property change, this transducer comprising:a light source (130);an optical detector (131),the light guide comprising an interference arm (134) into which a resulting light beam is guided, characterized in that the radiant power of the resulting light beam guided into the interference arm is equal to or greater than 0.2 μW.