Sensor Adapter Membrane Interface for Sterile Gas Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor adapters for containers are limited to optical measurements and are not suitable for reversible installation of electrodes or gas sensors, leading to contamination and sterilization issues when using gas sensors.
Innovation Solution
A sensor adapter with a membrane interface of 0.1-0.4 μm pore size that allows direct contact between the medium and sensors while maintaining sterility, using hydrophilic or hydrophobic membranes to control medium interaction and prevent contamination, and being resistant to sterilization methods like beta and gamma radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor adapter is open towards the reactor interior to allow gas sensors to contact the medium, then measurement capability is improved, but contamination risk increases and sterilization becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
A sterile filter membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the reactor interior and the gas sensor. The membrane has pore sizes of 0.1-0.4 μm that allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking larger contaminants and maintaining sterility. This enables the sensor to contact the medium for measurement without direct exposure to contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter incorporates a porous filter membrane with specific pore size (0.1-0.4 μm) that permits gas permeation while preventing contamination. The porous structure allows gas molecules to diffuse through for sensor contact while the pore size is small enough to maintain the sterile barrier function.
2Device complexity
If permanently installed sensors are used to avoid sterilization, then sterilization complexity is reduced, but adaptability and reversibility are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor adapter is designed as a separate, removable module that can be detached from the reactor. The adapter contains the sterile filter membrane and sensor housing, allowing it to be sterilized independently as a unit while the sensor itself can be easily exchanged without complex sterilization procedures. The sensor can be inserted and removed through the receiving opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different types of sensors (gas sensors, pH electrodes, conductivity sensors). The standardized receiving channel and membrane interface allow various sensor arrangements to be used with the same adapter, providing versatility while maintaining the sterile barrier function.
3Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used with the known adapter, then measurement capability is achieved, but versatility for other sensor types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor adapter is designed with a universal receiving channel and membrane interface that can accommodate multiple sensor types including gas sensors, pH electrodes, conductivity sensors, and optical sensors. The standardized design allows different sensor arrangements to be inserted and removed without modifying the adapter structure.
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 the use of gas sensors without contaminating the container interior and allows for sterilization of the sensor adapter alone, maintaining measurement accuracy and sterility.
Implementation Method 1
The membranes have a pore size of between 0.1 and 0.4 μm, preferably ≤0.2 μm. The membranes thus form a sterile barrier between the reactor interior and the reversibly attachable sensor arrangement.
Implementation Method 2
via which the sensor arrangement can be supplied with the media to be measured
Implementation Method 3
The membranes have hydrophilic, hydrophobic or oleophobic properties depending on the medium contacted.
Implementation Method 4
The membranes have hydrophilic, hydrophobic or oleophobic properties depending on the medium contacted.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container with a sensor adapter for accommodating a sensor arrangement for measuring at least one parameter of media contained in an inner space of the container, wherein the sensor adapter is arranged at the wall to the inner space of the container and comprises a receiving opening, which is accessible from the outside, of a receiving channel, the boundaries of which facing the inner space of the container for adapting the sensor arrangement. According to the invention, the receiving channel of the sensor adapter comprises towards the inner space of the container at least one boundary surface formed by a membrane, by which the medium or media to be measured are supplied to the sensor arrangement.