Stationary Sensor Optics for Continuous Microreactor Parameter Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recording process parameters in microreactors require interruption of shaking movement, leading to disturbances in mixing and substance transport, and are prone to errors due to complex designs and high shaking frequencies, which can result in undesirable delays and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for continuous recording of process parameters in microreactors that allows for uninterrupted shaking by using stationary sensor optics devices, where electromagnetic radiation is introduced and detected exclusively within each microreactor, utilizing techniques like IR or Raman spectroscopy and immobilized chemical sensors to monitor parameters such as biomass, substrate, and product concentrations without moving the sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If shaking movement is interrupted for recording process parameters, then measurement can be performed, but mixing and substance transport processes are disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous shaking during the entire reaction process including measurement periods. The shaker operates without interruption while measurements are taken, ensuring that mixing and substance transport processes remain undisturbed. This is achieved by integrating the measurement system with the continuously moving microtiter plate, allowing readings to be taken during the shaking motion itself rather than requiring pauses.
2Productivity
If shaking frequency is increased to maintain mixing, then measurement accuracy decreases due to complex design and high frequency effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a damping element or buffer system - that decouples the high-frequency shaking motion from the measurement system. This intermediary absorbs or isolates the vibrations and centrifugal forces generated by rapid shaking, providing a stable platform for accurate optical measurements while allowing the microtiter plate to continue shaking at high frequencies for effective mixing.
3Productivity
If sensor optics device is moved during recording, then multiple microreactors can be monitored, but measurement errors occur due to shaking and centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent sensor optics devices, each dedicated to monitoring a specific microreactor or group of microreactors. This segmentation eliminates the need to move a single sensor across multiple reactors during shaking, as each sensor remains stationary relative to its target microreactor. The multiple sensors can simultaneously monitor different reactors without interference from shaking-induced movements.
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 reliable and efficient continuous recording of process parameters without disrupting the shaking process, reducing errors and delays, and allowing for high-throughput monitoring in biotechnological applications like microbial and chemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
The light absorption by the cells located in the wells is recorded. For this purpose, electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source is introduced into the reaction liquid in the wells, and the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the reaction liquid in the microreactor is recorded by means of a sensor.
Implementation Method 2
the fluorescence of fluorescent proteins and amino acids, pH, T, pO2 and pCO2 values, the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) and the carbon-dioxide transfer rate (CTR) can be recorded as parameters of the reaction liquids
Implementation Method 3
the reaction liquids in the microreactors have at least one chemical sensor material, in particular such as a fluorescent dye which, in particular, can be immobilized on at least one inner wall of the microreactor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for the recording of process parameters of reaction fluids in several microreactors which are continuously agitated, at least until the termination of the reaction in all the microreactors. The process parameters in the microreactor are recorded during the reaction by means of at least one sensor optical system. According to the invention, the reliability of the method may be increased, whereby, during the recording of the value of a process parameter, for example, on recording an instantaneous value of the auto-fluorescence of the reaction fluids, the sensor optical system is held stationary. The relative movement of the agitated microreactor and each sensor optical system thus produced is not problematical when the electromagnetic radiation from each sensor optical system is introduced exclusively into one of the microreactors concerned during the recording of the process parameter in said microreactor and the radiation emitted from the reaction fluid is only incident on the sensor of the corresponding sensor optical system.