Pore-Based Microparticle Measurement With Pressure Unclogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microparticle measurement methods using the electrical sensing zone method face challenges with pore clogging due to low electrophoretic force limitations, electrolysis, and chemical state changes, leading to inaccurate measurements and the need for device replacement.
Innovation Solution
A microparticle measuring apparatus that includes a pressure controller to generate a pressure difference between liquid chambers to resolve clogging, using a pore-based device with electrodes, without requiring large currents, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large current is applied to resolve pore clogging through electrophoresis, then unclogging ability is improved, but electrolysis occurs at electrodes causing chemical state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical field (electrophoresis) with a mechanical field (pressure difference) to achieve pore unclogging. The pressure controller applies pressure to the liquid chamber to physically push particles out of the pore, eliminating electrolysis and chemical state changes that occur with large current application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure (pressure difference applied to liquid chamber) to resolve pore clogging. The pressure controller generates controlled pressure to move liquid and suspended particles through the pore or out of it, providing a non-electrical method for unclogging that avoids electrode reactions.
2Reliability
If reversal of polarity of bias voltage is applied to resolve clogging, then unclogging action is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to chemical state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical field reversal with mechanical pressure application for unclogging. The pressure controller applies pressure difference to the liquid chamber to physically remove clogging without reversing voltage polarity, thus maintaining stable chemical conditions and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure control to resolve clogging instead of electrical polarity reversal. The pressure controller provides a mechanical means to clear pores while maintaining stable electrical conditions for accurate measurement, avoiding the harmful effects of voltage reversal on measurement precision.
3Speed
If electrophoresis is used to drive particles through pore, then particle migration is achieved, but pore clogging occurs due to low electrophoretic force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure (pressure difference) to drive particle migration through the pore instead of relying solely on electrophoresis. The pressure controller applies pressure to the liquid chamber to push particles through the pore, overcoming the limitation of low electrophoretic force and preventing pore clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving mechanism parameter from electrical field (electrophoresis) to mechanical pressure field. By applying pressure difference to the liquid chamber, the system achieves faster and more reliable particle migration without the clogging issues associated with weak electrophoretic forces.
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 apparatus effectively resolves clogging with pressure, preventing electrolysis and chemical state changes, ensuring accurate microparticle measurement without the need for device replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the volume of the electrolyte solution in the pore will be decreased by an amount equivalent to the volume of the particle, thus increasing electric resistance of the pore
Implementation Method 2
Under potential difference generated between the electrode 106 and the electrode 108, an ion current flows between the electrodes, during which the particles 4 migrate from one space through the pore 104 into the other space while being driven by electrophoresis
Implementation Method 3
a pressure controller structured to generate, in an operation mode, pressure difference between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The microparticle measuring apparatus is used in combination with a pore-based device. The pore-based device has a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber separated by a partition having a pore. A measuring instrument is structured to measure a current signal that flows between a first electrode provided in the first liquid chamber and a second electrode provided in the second liquid chamber. Upon detection of the clogging of the pore-based device during the measurement, the pressure controller generates pressure difference between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber.