SPR Sample Cell Reflectance Code for Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measuring devices face errors due to difficulty in identifying sample cells and detecting appropriate liquid samples, leading to measurement inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sample cell with a characteristic light reflectance code formed by varying film thickness patterns on the metal thin film, allowing for identification through image processing and extraction of a unique code from the reflectance pattern, ensuring accurate sample cell recognition and liquid sample appropriateness determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sample cells are marked for identification, then sample cell identification is possible, but the work becomes very cumbersome and errors readily occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample cell identification accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical reflectance characteristics (analogous to color changes) of the sample cell structure itself to encode identification information. Different sample cells have distinct reflectance patterns that can be detected and identified automatically, eliminating the need for manual marking while maintaining reliable identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sample cell structure itself serves as the identification code through its inherent optical properties. The sample cell automatically provides identification information via its reflectance characteristics without requiring external marking or manual intervention, making the system self-identifying and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional SPR measuring device is used, then measurement can be performed, but measurement errors occur due to inability to identify sample cells and detect appropriate liquid samples

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the optical reflectance characteristics of the sample cell are continuously monitored and used to verify proper sample cell identification and liquid sample appropriateness. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of measurement conditions and correction of potential errors, improving measurement reliability while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If sample cells are prepared by immobilizing antibody to metal thin film, then SPR measurement can be performed, but sample cells are similar in appearance and may be confused

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSPR measurement capabilityVSAvoidsample cell distinction information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification information into distinct optical reflectance characteristics that can be associated with different sample cells. By encoding identification information in the optical properties of specific regions or patterns on the sample cell, each cell becomes uniquely identifiable while maintaining the functional integrity of the SPR measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 significantly reduces measurement errors by enabling reliable identification of sample cells and verification of appropriate liquid samples, enhancing the precision of SPR measurements.

Implementation Method 1

surface plasmon resonance (to be referred to as SPR) measuring devices have been studied as a biosensor using light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The SPR measuring device measures an incident angle at which the evanescent wave of the light and the surface plasmon wave resonate with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvanescent wave: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2224227B1Surface plasmon resonance measuring device, sample cell, and measuring method
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP2224227B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP2224227B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2224227B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A surface plasmon resonance measuring device includes a light source (2) which irradiates, with condensed light, a sample cell (10) having the characteristic structure of the reflectance of light that is formed in advance as a code from at least either of a substance film to be measured and a substance film different from the substance film to be measured, from a surface opposite to one on which the substance film to be measured is immobilized to a metal thin film, a CCD camera (5) which detects light reflected by the sample cell (10), and a data processing device (6) which extracts the identification code of the sample cell (10) from the feature of an image sensed by the camera (5).