Variable Thickness Measurement Chamber for Liquid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for analyzing liquids in bioreactors or containers face challenges in varying the thickness of measurement chambers for improved resolution and robustness, particularly in distinguishing between living and dead biological cells, and ensuring liquid renewal without obstructing the measurement process.
Innovation Solution
An analysis system with a measurement chamber delimited by transparent measurement surfaces connected by a flexible membrane, allowing adjustable thickness and liquid flow, featuring an actuation device for varying the chamber thickness and a flow device for liquid renewal, enabling precise optical measurements and minimizing obstruction risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measurement chamber thickness is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement resolution and robustness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable thickness measurement chamber where the second measurement surface can move relative to the first measurement surface along the thickness direction. This dynamic structure allows the chamber thickness to be adjusted during operation, enabling optimization of measurement resolution for different analytical requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through the use of a flexible membrane and actuation mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If the measurement chamber thickness is variable, then the measurement resolution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane to connect the first and second measurement surfaces, replacing a complex rigid mechanical adjustment system. The flexible membrane allows the second measurement surface to move relative to the first while maintaining sealing and structural integrity, thereby achieving variable chamber thickness with improved measurement robustness without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the measurement chamber has fixed volume, then the device is simple to operate, but liquid renewal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The variable thickness measurement chamber enables dynamic volume adjustment. By moving the second measurement surface relative to the first, the chamber volume can be increased to accommodate larger liquid samples for renewal purposes, or decreased for precise measurements. This dynamic volume control facilitates efficient liquid renewal between measurements while maintaining ease of operation through automated actuation.
4Productivity
If the measurement chamber thickness is increased, then liquid renewal is improved, but the measurement path length increases causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the measurement chamber thickness based on operational requirements. During liquid renewal phases, the thickness is increased to facilitate efficient sample exchange. During measurement phases, the thickness is reduced to the optimal measurement path length, ensuring measurement accuracy is maintained while enabling effective liquid renewal between measurements.
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
The system achieves enhanced resolution and robustness in cell concentration measurement and discrimination, with the ability to renew the liquid sample significantly between measurements, reducing the risk of obstruction and gas bubbles, thus supporting real-time monitoring and online analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement chamber is delimited laterally by a flexible membrane fixed in a sealed manner to the measurement surfaces, allowing the variation of the thickness of the measurement chamber
Implementation Method 2
said measurement surfaces being transparent with respect to so-called measurement light radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to an analysis system including a device for confining a liquid sample, said confinement device including a measurement chamber (11) partially delimited by first and second transparent measurement surfaces (13A, 13B), of which at least one first measurement surface (13B) is movable relative to the second measurement surface (13A), so as to allow a variation of the thickness of the measurement chamber (11). The measurement chamber (11) is also delimited on the sides by a flexible membrane (14) allowing the thickness of the measurement chamber (11) to vary. At least one collection pipe (2.1, 2.2) is in fluid communication with the measurement chamber (11), and is intended for being tightly connected to a container (3) so as to be able to collect the liquid sample. The analysis system also includes an optical measurement device, a flow device and an actuator device capable of providing the relative movement of the measurement surfaces in relation to one another.