Thermal Well Sensor Probe for Contamination-Free Fluid Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems face challenges in accurately measuring temperature and conductivity of fluids without contaminating the media and in scenarios where the media is contained within disposable components, requiring a compact and reusable sensor solution that avoids direct contact with the media.
Innovation Solution
A sensor apparatus system comprising a probe housing with a thermal sensor and a conductivity sensor, where the probe tip is thermally coupled to a well within a cassette, allowing for temperature and conductivity measurements through leads, with options for urethane resin and thermal epoxy for enhanced coupling and a flexible design to accommodate various materials and geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor apparatus or probe is introduced to the medium being measured, then measurement accuracy is improved, but contamination of the sensor apparatus and/or fluid occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal well as an intermediary component that couples the sensor to the fluid indirectly. The well acts as a mediator that transfers thermal energy from the fluid to the sensor without requiring direct contact between the sensor and fluid, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while preventing contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system is divided into separate functional components: a disposable well that contacts the fluid and a reusable sensor that remains outside the fluid path. This segmentation allows the well to be discarded after use while the expensive sensor can be reused, solving both contamination and cost issues
2Measurement precision
If direct contact sensing is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor cannot be reused when media is contained in disposable components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a disposable well component and a reusable sensor component. The well is designed to be discarded after a single use while the sensor can be reused multiple times, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and sensor reusability
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal well serves as an intermediary that enables accurate temperature measurement while being the disposable element. It transfers thermal information to the reusable sensor without requiring the sensor itself to contact the fluid, thus preserving sensor longevity
3Reliability
If a sensor system is designed to avoid contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal well acts as an intermediary component between the sensor and fluid, enabling contamination-free measurement. While this adds a component, it significantly improves reliability by preventing contamination and allows sensor reuse, which can simplify overall system management
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing function is extracted from the disposable fluid container and placed in a separate reusable sensor unit. This separation improves reliability by preventing contamination while managing complexity through modular design where the well and sensor are distinct replaceable components
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 accurate temperature and conductivity sensing of fluids without contamination, allowing for reuse of sensor components and integration with disposable cassettes, improving measurement accuracy and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor in the probe housing having a sensing end and a connector end; a probe tip thermally coupled to the sensing end of the thermal sensor and attached to the probe housing, the probe tip adapted for thermal coupling with an inner surface of a well installed in a cassette; whereby thermal energy is transferred from the well to the thermal sensor
Implementation Method 2
a conductivity sensor in the probe housing for permitting conductivity sensing of the subject media in the well
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette, including a disposable or replaceable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a subject media. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.