Sensor Feed Line Conditioning for Multi-Cell Permeation Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current permeation instruments face significant time delays between measurements due to low mass flow rates, which limit the ability to contemporaneously measure target-analyte transmission rates across multiple testing cells.

Innovation Solution

A target-analyte permeation testing instrument with a sensor feed line conditioning system that includes capillary restrictors, particle filters, and a rezero feature, allowing for simultaneous measurement across multiple test cells by managing gas flow and humidification levels, and enabling rapid switching between testing cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor probe is exposed to ambient air in a laminar flow hood, then sensor stability and drift are improved, but bacterial contamination of the sensor feed line increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor stabilityVSAvoidbacterial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the feed line into separate segments: a first portion exposed to ambient air for sensor stability, and a second portion isolated in a sealed conduit for contamination prevention. This spatial segmentation allows each segment to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sterile filter acts as an intermediary component between the ambient air environment and the sensor feed line. The filter allows air exchange for sensor stability while blocking bacterial contamination, thus mediating between conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sensor probe is enclosed to prevent contamination, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but sensor stability and drift increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial contaminationVSAvoidsensor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feed line is segmented into a sealed portion for contamination protection and an exposed portion for sensor stability. This allows the sensor probe to access ambient air through the exposed segment while the sealed segment prevents contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sterile filter serves as an intermediary that enables controlled air exchange between the sealed environment and ambient air, maintaining both contamination protection and sensor stability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensor feed line is extended to reach sensor, then sensor placement flexibility is improved, but fluid leakage and cross-contamination between samples increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor placement flexibilityVSAvoidfluid leakage and cross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feed line is enclosed within a sealed conduit that acts as a flexible protective shell. This allows the feed line to be extended for sensor placement flexibility while the sealed conduit prevents fluid leakage and cross-contamination along the extended portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Temperature

If heated blankets and heat lamps are used to maintain incubator temperature, then temperature control is improved, but condensation forming on incubator interior surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincubator temperatureVSAvoidcondensation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is extracted from the incubator interior to an exterior location. The heated blanket wraps around the exterior of the incubator, removing the heat source from the interior environment and eliminating the cause of condensation while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heated blanket acts as an intermediary heating system that transfers thermal energy to the incubator from the exterior. This indirect heating method maintains incubator temperature without creating condensation inside the incubator chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 contemporaneous measurement of target-analyte transmission rates through multiple test films, reducing changeover time and improving efficiency by managing gas flow and minimizing pressure differentials.

Implementation Method 1

a peristaltic pump, which is useful for preventing cross-contamination between samples

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Implementation Method 2

The incubator may be surrounded by a heated blanket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The incubator may be surrounded by a heated blanket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 4

sterile filter to allow exchange of air between the ambient air and the sensor probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3111230B1Instrument and method for target-analyte permeation testing with sensor feed line conditioning system

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 MODERN CONTROLS INC

Figure 1

AI summary

A target-analyte permeation testing instrument (10) characterized by a sensor feed line (300nBout and 3005) conditioning system.