Scattered Light Correlation for Noise Reduction in Analysis Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analysis devices face challenges in obtaining reliable measurement results due to noise components from foreign materials like air bubbles and flaws in the reaction container, which affect the signal-to-noise ratio and make it difficult to distinguish between the object and container imperfections when measuring scattered light.
Innovation Solution
The device measures scattered light intensities in multiple directions, calculates correlation coefficients between these intensities, and analyzes the object using only the intensities with correlation coefficients greater than a reference value to reduce noise and improve measurement reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scattered light is measured to improve sensitivity for immune assay, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but noise from foreign materials like air bubbles and container flaws increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scattered light measurement is segmented by direction, with multiple detectors positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to independently measure scattered light intensity. This segmentation allows identification and exclusion of measurements affected by foreign materials, as noise typically affects specific directions more than others.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary that receives scattered light intensity data from multiple detectors, calculates correlation coefficients between different directional measurements, and automatically determines which measurements are affected by noise. This intermediary processing layer enables automatic quality assessment and exclusion of unreliable data without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If integration time is increased to improve S/N ratio, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but temporal changes in the object to be measured are missed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous integration, the system performs periodic measurements at multiple time points with fixed, short integration periods. By taking measurements at regular intervals (e.g., every few seconds) and using correlation analysis across multiple directional detectors, the system achieves noise reduction without missing temporal dynamics of the reaction process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of measurement direction rather than integration time. By measuring scattered light intensity in multiple directions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) with short integration periods and then analyzing correlations between these directional measurements, the system achieves noise reduction through parameter diversity rather than temporal averaging.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detectors are added to measure scattered light in multiple directions, then noise identification capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detectors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they measure scattered light intensity for sensitivity, provide directional information for noise identification, and enable correlation analysis for quality control. This multi-functionality justifies the increased number of detectors, as each detector contributes to multiple measurement objectives rather than serving a single purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own multiple detectors to automatically identify and exclude noisy measurements through correlation analysis. The control unit processes the data from all detectors and automatically determines which measurements are reliable, making the system self-diagnosing and self-correcting without external intervention, thereby justifying the added complexity through automated quality assurance.
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 approach allows for highly reliable measurement results by focusing on scattered light with high correlation coefficients, effectively minimizing the impact of noise and container imperfections, thereby enhancing the accuracy of concentration calculations.
Implementation Method 1
irradiates an object to be measured with light and measures light scattered on the object
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~4(2)
AI summary
Disclosed is an automatic analysis device including light detectors that detect scattered light, whereby highly reliable analysis results can be obtained by reduction of the effect of noise components. Highly reliable concentration analysis with little effect from noise components can be achieved by calculating the correlation between scattered light detected by a plurality of light detectors before calculating concentration, and by performing concentration analysis using scattered light with high correlation.