External Liquid Controller for SAW Sensor Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors face contamination issues due to abundant target materials in liquid samples, leading to analysis errors and reduced commercial feasibility and efficiency, as disposable valves and pumps are used to minimize contamination but are economically and commercially inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A SAW sensor device with a liquid controller external to the main body, using air pressure or ventilation to control the flow of samples, minimizing direct contact and contamination, and incorporating valves and pumps that are reusable to enhance reliability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If disposable valves and pumps are used to prevent contamination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid controller is extracted from the main body and disposed of externally, separating it from the sample flow path. This allows the liquid controller to be reused while preventing contamination of the main body components, thereby maintaining measurement precision without requiring disposable components throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct segments: the main body containing the SAW sensor and sample chamber, and the external liquid controller. This segmentation allows different parts to have different functions - the main body remains clean for precise measurements while the external liquid controller handles the contaminated liquid flow.
2Reliability
If disposable valves and pumps are used to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but economic feasibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid controller is extracted and disposed of externally, allowing it to be a reusable component rather than disposable. This maintains system reliability by preventing contamination while improving economic feasibility by eliminating the need for disposable components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the entire system or major components after single use, the design allows the liquid controller to be discarded or replaced independently while recovering and reusing the main body with the SAW sensor, thereby improving both reliability and economic feasibility.
3Ease of operation
If liquid flows through internal channels to SAW sensor, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination increases causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid controller is taken out and disposed of externally, separating it from the internal sample flow path. This maintains ease of operation by keeping the sample flow path simple while preventing contamination noise by isolating the liquid controller from the SAW sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The external liquid controller acts as an intermediary that handles liquid flow without directly contacting the sensitive SAW sensor. It mediates between the sample source and the sensor, preventing direct contamination while maintaining operational ease.
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 solution effectively reduces noise and contamination, improving the reliability and accuracy of SAW sensor analyses while enhancing economic and commercial feasibility by using external liquid control, allowing for repeated use of components and reducing unnecessary liquid loss.
Implementation Method 1
moving and controlling a liquid by air pressure or ventilation from outside a SAW sensor device
Implementation Method 2
a surface acoustic wave sensor is a device that senses, e.g., detects, a target material, such as an analyte, using a surface acoustic wave (SAW)
Implementation Method 3
the SAW sensor is disposed on a substrate made of a piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A surface acoustic wave sensor device includes a main body and a liquid controller disposed external to the main body. The main body includes a sample chamber, a surface acoustic wave sensor connected to the sample chamber, a first disposal chamber connected to the surface acoustic wave sensor and channels connecting the sample chamber, the surface acoustic wave sensor and the first disposal chamber. The liquid controller controls flow of a sample through the main body.