Contactless power solution for low power sensors in bioprocess environments

• US 20090246090A1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Adhikari, Jiwan, Burke, Aaron
• Granted Patent: US 8,501,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/119
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10178 including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field comparable booster antennas integrated on the record carrier itself G06K19/07794
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/10 using reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing more reliable wireless communication and power to sensors in electrically challenging bioprocess environments is disclosed. An unconnected antenna is located within the bioprocess environment, preferably in the same plane as the primary powered antenna. This unconnected antenna, also referred to as reflective antenna, enhances and confines the electromagnetic field created by the powered antenna. This reflective antenna is incorporated in or proximate to the devices containing a sensor or communication device. In one embodiment, the reflective antenna is incorporated into the filter housing. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into the filtering element itself. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into or affixed on the disposable bioprocess components, such as bags and tubes.

Claims

1. A filtering element comprising:

a. a cylindrical body, having an outer surface exposed to unfiltered material and an inner surface;

b. a closed end;

c. an open end through which filtered material passes;

d. a wireless electronic device affixed to said filtering element; and

e. an unpowered electromagnetically resonant antenna affixed to said filtering element in proximity to said electronic device.

2. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said inner surface of said cylindrical body.

3. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said outer surface of said cylindrical body.

4. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said closed end.

5. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein said electronic device is affixed to said closed end.

6. The filtering element of claim 1, wherein said unpowered antenna is in the shape of a loop.

7. A filtering system, comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a powered inductive loop inside said housing;

c. a filtering element, comprising a wireless electronic device; and

d. an unpowered electromagnetically resonant antenna in proximity to said electronic device.

8. The filtering system of claim 7, further comprising an alignment plate within said housing, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said alignment plate.

9. The filtering system of claim 7, further comprising an alignment plate within said housing, wherein said unpowered antenna is embedded in said alignment plate.

10. The filtering system of claim 7, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said housing.

11. The filtering system of claim 7, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said filtering element.

12. The filtering system of claim 7, wherein said unpowered antenna is in the shape of a loop.

13. A disposable system for manufacturing pharmaceuticals, comprising:

a. a power inductive loop;

b. a container for holding pharmaceutical material, comprising an electronic device; and

c. an unpowered electromagnetically resonant antenna in proximity to said electronic device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said container.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said unpowered antenna is embedded in said container.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said electronic device comprises a sensor.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said electronic device comprises a wireless communication device.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said electronic device comprises a storage element.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said container comprises a bioreactor bag.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein said container comprises a tube.

21. The system of claim 13, further comprising a support structure to support said container, wherein said unpowered antenna is affixed to said support structure.

22. The system of claim 13, further comprising a support structure to support said container, wherein said unpowered antenna is embedded in said support structure.