Dead-End Porous Optical Sensing for Analyte Concentration Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses struggle to accurately determine a difference in concentration between two or more analytes in a liquid, particularly when the analytes are optically similar or indistinguishable, limiting the ability to draw meaningful conclusions about the liquid's composition.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a translucent porous element with dead-end pores that allow analytes to diffuse in while preventing larger particles, combined with light sources and detectors, measures the time response values of the analytes to determine their concentration differences through temporal analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical measurement methods are used to determine analyte concentrations, then the measurement process is simple, but the ability to distinguish between optically similar analytes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-functionalizing the porous element with specific ligands or receptors that selectively bind to target analytes before the measurement process begins. This pre-preparation creates distinct binding characteristics for different analytes, enabling differentiation based on binding kinetics or affinity measurements without requiring complex post-sample preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (such as a selective ligand, antibody, or affinity reagent) that mediates between the analytes and the detection system. This intermediary binds preferentially to specific analytes, creating a distinguishable interaction pattern that allows the detection system to differentiate between optically similar substances through measured binding parameters.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement parameters are used to distinguish analytes, then the determination accuracy improves, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using time-resolved measurement sequences where multiple parameters are measured in a structured temporal pattern. The system rapidly alternates between different measurement modes (e.g., binding phase, measurement phase, regeneration phase), collecting multiple parameters efficiently within a compressed time window, thereby maintaining high determination accuracy while minimizing total measurement time.
3Measurement precision
If the pore size is reduced to prevent particle entry, then the selectivity improves, but the diffusion rate of analytes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variation in pore characteristics within the porous element. Different regions of the porous structure have different pore size distributions, with some areas having smaller pores for selectivity and other areas having larger pores or different geometries that facilitate faster diffusion. This heterogeneous structure allows simultaneous optimization of both selectivity and diffusion rate across different locations in the same element.
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 rapid and accurate determination of absolute or relative concentration differences between analytes, allowing for better distinction and quantification of otherwise indistinguishable analytes, with minimal equipment size and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-sectional dimension of the openings of the pores is dimensioned so as to prevent larger particles or debris from entering the pores, while allowing the two or more predetermined analytes in the liquid to enter the pores via diffusion
Implementation Method 2
illuminating with the one or more light sources at least the pores in the translucent element, at each of multiple points in time receiving light emerging from the pores in response to the illumination
Data Source
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AI summary
There is presented an apparatus for determining one or more time response values of an analyte or a group of analytes (96) in a liquid (99) comprising a translucent element comprising pores (6), wherein the pores (6) are dead end pores (6) extending into the translucent element from respective openings (7) in the translucent element, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the openings (7) of the pores (6) is dimensioned so as to prevent larger particles or debris from entering the pores (6), while allowing the analyte or the group of analytes in the liquid (99) to enter the pores (6) via diffusion, one or more light sources (10) being adapted to illuminate at least the pores (6) in the translucent element (2), and a light detector (20) being adapted to at each of multiple points in time receive light (21) emerging from the pores (6) in response to illumination (11) by the one or more light sources, wherein the light detector is further adapted to generate one or more signals based on the received light, each of the one or more signals being temporally resolved and representative of at least a part of the received light, and wherein the apparatus is further comprising a data processing device comprising a processor configured to determine one or more time response values based on the one or more signals.