Spectral Standardization for Multi-Instrument Spectroscopy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopic systems face challenges in standardizing spectral outputs across multiple instruments, leading to instrument-dependent errors and inconsistencies in measurements, particularly in complex samples like tissue, blood, and environmental samples, due to variations in lamp output and detector sensitivity, which can result in inaccurate concentration calculations.
Innovation Solution
The use of traceable physical standards, such as reflectance targets with known unique reflectivity spectra, to calibrate and standardize the wavelength and photometric output of spectroscopic systems, allowing for consistent measurements across different instruments without the need for samples similar to the measured sample, and incorporating a standard normal variate algorithm for normalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spectroscopic measurements are made using different instruments, then measurement versatility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to instrument-dependent spectral differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spectral standardization as an intermediary process that mediates between different spectroscopic instruments. By measuring spectral responses of reference materials with known spectral characteristics and calculating correction factors, the system creates a standardized bridge that allows spectra from different instruments to be compared and combined consistently, resolving the instrument-dependent precision issues while maintaining measurement versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming spectral data through mathematical corrections. Correction factors are calculated based on the ratio of reference material spectral responses between instruments, and these factors are applied to transform spectra from different instruments into a common standardized scale, thereby achieving consistent measurement precision across versatile instrument platforms.
2Ease of operation
If calibration is performed using initial reference measurements, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to time-dependent lamp output and detector sensitivity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing spectral standardization measurements of reference materials with known spectral characteristics before actual sample measurements. These preliminary measurements of reference materials with distinct spectral features establish correction factors that account for lamp output and detector sensitivity changes, allowing subsequent sample measurements to be performed routinely while maintaining high precision through the pre-calculated corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the spectral response of reference materials is continuously monitored and used to calculate correction factors. These correction factors are fed back into the measurement system to adjust spectra from actual samples, creating a closed-loop system that maintains measurement precision by continuously compensating for instrument drift while keeping operations simple.
3Measurement precision
If spectral standardization using reference materials is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a spectral standardization system that serves multiple functions: it characterizes instrument response, corrects spectral data, and enables comparability across different instruments. The same reference materials and correction factor calculations serve all these purposes, reducing the need for separate calibration procedures and minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving high measurement precision.
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 enables repeatable and quantitatively accurate reflectance or absorbance measurements, ensuring that spectra collected by different instruments appear as if generated by the same instrument, thereby reducing instrument-to-instrument variations and improving the accuracy of concentration calculations in complex samples.
Implementation Method 1
optical information can be collected via diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In this setting, A=log(I100/IR), where I100 is the amount of light reflected from a 100% reflecting diffuse reflectance standard
Implementation Method 2
The amount of light absorbed by a particular chemical species in a sample is often linearly related to its concentration through Beer's Law, A=εlc
Implementation Method 3
The use of traceable physical standards, such as reflectance targets with known unique reflectivity spectra, to calibrate and standardize the wavelength and photometric output of spectroscopic systems
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to systems and methods for measuring properties of samples with standardized spectroscopic systems. The methods can include (i) measuring, with a first spectroscopic system, spectra of at least three different reference targets; (ii) calibrating the first spectroscopic system; (iii) measuring, with the first spectroscopic system, a spectrum of a known reference specimen having a known value of the property; (iv) generating a model for the measured property using the spectrum of the known reference specimen; (v) measuring, with a second spectroscopic system, the spectra of at least three different reference targets; (vi) calibrating the second spectroscopic system; (vii) applying the model to the second spectroscopic system; (viii) measuring a spectrum of the sample using the second spectroscopic system; and (ix) determining a value of the property using the model.