Plastic Biomass Probe for Repeated Sterilization Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biomass sensing probes are either costly and complex due to their resistance to sterilization or require single-use disposal, posing environmental and economic burdens, while conventional reusable probes are prone to damage from sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
A biomass sensing probe with a body formed partially or completely from plastic materials, such as liquid crystal polymer or phenolic polymer, that can withstand multiple sterilization cycles without significant degradation, allowing for repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional reusable probes are designed to be resistant to sterilization, then they can be reused multiple times, but their construction becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a probe body made from inexpensive plastic material that is intended for single use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization-resistant construction while maintaining functional performance. The probe body is designed to be discarded after one use, avoiding the complexity and cost of making probes reusable through sterilization resistance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional reusable probes are designed to be resistant to sterilization, then they can be reused multiple times, but the cost of materials and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a probe body made from inexpensive plastic material that is intended for single use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization-resistant construction while maintaining functional performance. The probe body is designed to be discarded after one use, avoiding the complexity and cost of making probes reusable through sterilization resistance.
3Device complexity
If single-use probes are used, then the probe construction is simple and cost is low, but environmental burden increases due to disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material properties of the probe body. It uses plastic materials with specific characteristics (melting point above 100°C, resistance to sterilization conditions) that enable the probe to withstand autoclaving. This transforms the probe from a single-use item to a reusable one by changing the material parameters to tolerate repeated sterilization cycles.
4Reliability
If probes are subjected to harsh sterilization conditions, then sterilization is effective, but probe damage occurs reducing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the material properties of the probe body. It uses plastic materials with specific characteristics (melting point above 100°C, resistance to sterilization conditions) that enable the probe to withstand autoclaving. This transforms the probe from a single-use item to a reusable one by changing the material parameters to tolerate repeated sterilization cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a probe body made from inexpensive plastic material that is intended for single use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization-resistant construction while maintaining functional performance. The probe body is designed to be discarded after one use, avoiding the complexity and cost of making probes reusable through sterilization resistance.
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 plastic-bodied probe maintains accurate biomass readings after multiple sterilizations, reducing costs and environmental impact by enabling reuse, while avoiding the complexity and high cost of conventional reusable probes.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitance measurement techniques are known for measuring the capacitance (or specific capacitance or dielectric constant) of liquids and suspensions
Implementation Method 2
As the plasma membrane is non-conducting a build up of charge results in the cells and are said to be polarised with the yeast cells acting as tiny capacitors within the medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
This invention relates to processes for obtaining a plurality of biomass measurements from one or more biological medium and to biomass sensing probes (1) for use in such methods.