Trace Liquid Analysis Device with Suction and Aperture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional analysis devices face difficulties in accurately analyzing trace amounts of liquid samples below 1 μL due to challenges in controlling the dropping of small liquid samples and maintaining appropriate concentration, leading to inefficient analysis.

Innovation Solution

An analysis device equipped with a flow channel and suction mechanism that holds the liquid sample, along with a measurement unit featuring a light irradiation and reception system with an aperture member, allowing for precise measurement of optical properties of the liquid sample, even at extremely small volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a liquid sample is dropped onto a sample table for analysis, then the analysis device can measure the liquid sample, but it becomes difficult to control the dropping when the liquid sample amount is extremely small (1 nL to 100 nL)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid sample measurement capabilityVSAvoiddropping control difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual dropping operation with a suction mechanism that uses pressure differential to draw liquid samples into the flow channel. This mechanical substitution eliminates the difficulty of controlling extremely small liquid volumes (1 nL to 100 nL) by hand-dropping, while maintaining the ability to measure trace amounts of liquid samples accurately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the liquid sample is diluted to ensure an appropriate amount for dripping, then the dropping can be controlled, but the concentration of the liquid sample becomes too low for accurate analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedropping controlVSAvoidliquid sample concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction mechanism allows direct aspiration of undiluted liquid samples in their original concentration, eliminating the need for dilution that would compromise sample concentration. The pressure-driven suction system can precisely control the aspiration of trace volumes without requiring the sample to be diluted to achieve manageable dropping characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the aperture member opening width is made larger to accommodate varying liquid sample quantities, then more liquid can be measured, but light from areas without liquid cannot be properly blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid sample quantity accommodationVSAvoidoptical measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aperture member is designed with a dynamic opening width that can be adjusted to match the actual liquid sample length in the flow channel. This dynamic adjustment allows the aperture to accommodate varying liquid quantities while maintaining precise optical measurement by blocking light only in the regions where liquid is present, preventing measurement errors from light passing through empty aperture spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient analysis of trace amounts of liquid samples by preventing volatilization and ensuring accurate measurement, reducing the need for pre-mixing of samples and reagents, and allowing for precise calibration of the suction mechanism based on calculated sample volume.

Implementation Method 1

a light irradiation unit for irradiating the liquid sample held in the part of the flow channel with light and a light reception unit for receiving light from the liquid sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a suction mechanism connected to one end of the flow channel, the suction mechanism being configured to introduce a trace amount of a liquid sample from the other end of the flow channel to an inside of the flow channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12163885B2Analysis device, analysis method, trace liquid collection device, and trace liquid collection method

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

An analysis device including a flow channel member, a suction mechanism, and a measurement unit. The flow channel member includes a flow channel; The suction mechanism is connected to a first end of the flow channel member and is configured to introduce a liquid sample from a second end of the flow channel member to the flow channel and hold the liquid sample between fluid layers in a part of the flow channel. The measurement unit includes a light irradiation unit a light reception unit configured to receive light from the part of the flow channel and the contents of the part of the flow channel when irradiated by the light irradiation unit. The measurement unit includes an aperture member to limit light from the light irradiation unit and includes an opening having an opening width shorter than the length of the part of the flow channel.