Transmembrane Photoluminescent Oxygen Probe for Nondestructive Packaging Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical oxygen probes require placement inside packaging, which is not feasible in certain applications due to material interference, perceived contamination, or cost constraints, necessitating a nondestructive method to sense oxygen concentration from outside the enclosure.

Innovation Solution

A transmembrane photoluminescent oxygen probe with an oxygen-impermeable support layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive, embedding an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye within an oxygen-permeable hydrophobic polymer carrier, allowing external measurement of oxygen concentration by adhering the probe to the packaging membrane and using excitation radiation to measure emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an optical oxygen probe is incorporated into packaging, then oxygen concentration measurement is enabled, but the probe placement becomes invasive and may be perceived as contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen concentration measurementVSAvoidperceived contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is segmented into two functional parts: an oxygen-permeable sensing element that measures oxygen concentration, and an oxygen-impermeable support layer that provides structural integrity and prevents contamination. This segmentation allows the probe to function as intended while eliminating the contamination concern by isolating the sensing element from direct contact with the packaged product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oxygen-impermeable support layer acts as an intermediary between the oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent element and the external environment. It allows oxygen to reach the sensing element through the membrane while preventing direct contact between the probe components and the packaged product, thus enabling measurement without perceived contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If packaging materials are used to enclose products, then product protection is improved, but these materials may interfere with probe interrogation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct protectionVSAvoidprobe interrogation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The support layer is designed with localized oxygen-permeable properties only at the probe interface, while maintaining oxygen-impermeable characteristics elsewhere. This local quality differentiation allows oxygen to reach the sensing element through the membrane without compromising the overall protective barrier function of the packaging material against moisture and other contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If a probe structure with oxygen-permeable carrier is used, then oxygen diffusion to the sensing element is improved, but oxygen diffusion errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen concentration sensingVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The oxygen-impermeable support layer serves as a protective cushion that prevents external oxygen from reaching the sensing element, thereby cushioning against potential measurement errors caused by oxygen diffusion from the environment. This ensures that the probe measures only the oxygen concentration within the enclosed space, maintaining measurement accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 and reliable nondestructive measurement of oxygen concentration within enclosed spaces without internal probe placement, minimizing oxygen diffusion errors and maintaining structural integrity, thus overcoming previous limitations.

Implementation Method 1

a spot of an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

measuring radiation emitted by the excited probe after at least some of the exposures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescent quenching: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS9274060B1Methods for transmembrane measurement of oxygen concentration and monitoring changes in oxygen concentration within a space enclosed by a membrane employing a photoluminescent transmembrane oxygen probe

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 MODERN CONTROLS INC

AI summary

Measuring oxygen concentration and monitoring changes in oxygen concentration within an enclosed space by applying a transmembrane photoluminescent oxygen probe to the external surface of the membrane forming the enclosed space, wherein the transmembrane photoluminescent oxygen probe has an oxygen impermeable support layer carrying a spot of an oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye and a layer of a pressure-sensitive adhesive on a first major surface of the support layer.