Spectroscopic Surface Analysis Calibration via Uniform Droplet Deposits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and quantifying trace chemical or biological contamination on surfaces are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies due to sample loss and destruction during extraction and analysis, lacking efficient calibration methods for spectroscopic instruments to accurately measure surface concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for creating uniform deposits of known quantities of chemicals using a spectroscopic surface analysis instrument with calibration data derived from uniformly spaced fluid droplets of known volume and concentration, allowing for rapid calibration and validation of surface cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional swabbing and extraction methods are used for contamination detection, then chemical or biological material can be identified and quantified, but the process becomes labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to sample loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical swabbing and extraction procedures with a spectroscopic instrument that uses electromagnetic radiation to directly detect and quantify surface concentrations. The instrument illuminates the surface with excitation radiation and measures the emitted or scattered radiation signals, eliminating the need for physical contact, extraction, and laboratory analysis steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces calibration samples with known surface concentrations as an intermediary to establish a relationship between radiation signals and actual surface concentrations. These calibration samples create a calibration curve that serves as a mediator to convert measured radiation intensities into accurate surface concentration values without direct physical manipulation of the test sample.
2Reliability
If traditional swabbing procedures are used, then contamination can be detected, but sample loss and destruction occur during extraction and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The spectroscopic instrument uses non-contact electromagnetic radiation to detect contamination, replacing the mechanical swabbing and chemical extraction processes that cause sample loss. The radiation interacts with the contaminant molecules directly on the surface, allowing detection without physical removal or destruction of the sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration samples with known concentrations serve themselves as reference standards for the measurement process. By measuring the radiation signals from these self-contained calibration samples, the instrument automatically establishes its own calibration curve without requiring external reference materials or complex preparation procedures.
3Productivity
If spectroscopic instruments are used for surface analysis, then measurement speed improves, but calibration methods for accurate surface concentration quantification are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by measuring radiation signals from calibration samples with known surface concentrations before analyzing unknown samples. This preliminary action establishes a calibration curve that correlates signal intensity with surface concentration, enabling accurate quantification during subsequent rapid measurements without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process involves changing the parameter of known surface concentration across multiple calibration samples with different concentration levels. By measuring the radiation signals from these samples with varying concentrations, the instrument establishes a relationship between signal intensity and concentration, allowing accurate determination of unknown concentrations through parameter comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for creating deposits of uniformly spaced or uniformly overlapping droplets of selected chemicals where each droplet has an a priori known amount of the selected chemical or chemicals is taught (including biological and microbial materials). In some embodiments the deposits may be used as samples of different but known concentrations that may be used to calibrate spectroscopic inspection instruments to enable such instruments to not only provide identification in situ of unknown materials but also to provide calibrated and traceable surface concentrations of such materials. In some embodiments, such calibrated instruments may be used in enhanced processes for validating the cleanliness of manufacturing surfaces such as surfaces of equipment used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, food, or semiconductor devices. Such instruments may be used to ensure adequate purity, or non-contamination, of surfaces of products themselves or packaging materials or of locations where such products will be used. Such calibrated instruments may also be useful in detecting cleanliness of non-manufacturing surfaces where contamination may be of concern, whether they be public or private spaces such as laboratories, restaurants, airports, satellites or other spacecraft. In some embodiments, such instruments may range from deep UV instruments to far infrared instruments or beyond.