OPTICAL ANALYZER FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MATERIALS USING TRANSMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

• US 20160161402A1
• Filed: 02/18/2016
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Science Tools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovative Science Tools, Inc.
• Inventors: Micheels, Ronald H., Lee, Don J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,060,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0205 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0216 using light concentrators or collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/42 Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry beam switching arrangements G01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3577 for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9508 Capsules; Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06153 the sources being LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0627 Use of several LED's for spectral resolution
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0631 Homogeneising elements

Abstract

A device and method for identifying solid and liquid materials use near-infrared transmission spectroscopy combined with multivariate calibration methods for analysis of the spectral data. Near-infrared transmission spectroscopy is employed within either the 700-1100 nm or the 900-1700 nm wavelength range to identify solid or liquid materials and determine whether they match specific known materials. Uses include identifying solid (including powdered) and liquid materials with a fast measurement cycle time of about 2 to 15 seconds and with a method that requires no sample preparation, as well as quantitative analysis to determine the concentration of one or more chemical components in a solid or liquid sample that consists of a mixture of components. A primary application of such analysis includes detection of counterfeit drug tablets, capsules and liquid medications.

Claims

1. An optical analyzer system for identifying materials through transmission spectra analysis, the system comprising:

a light source;

a sample holder system;

a sample aperture located between the light source and the sample holder system;

an optical efficiency enhancing element positioned between the light source and sample aperture, wherein the optical efficiency enhancing element is an optical homogenizer being a solid or hollow polygonal waveguide with an elliptically distorted polygonal cross section;

an optical spectrometer module operating in either of the 700-1100 nm spectral range or the 900-1700 nm spectral range, the optical spectrometer module positioned to receive light from the light source passing through the sample aperture and a sample within the sample holder system; and

a computer or microprocessor system interfaced with the optical spectrometer, wherein the computer or microprocessor system controls the collection of spectral data, storage of the collected spectral data, and processing and analysis of the spectral data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a monolithic mounted ring-shaped array of LED chips mounted close to the optical homogenizer such that the optical homogenizer couples LED light from the monolithic array to the sample aperture and sample, and further comprising an optical encapsulant layer between the LED chips in the monolithic LED array and the optical homogenizer, wherein the optical encapsulant layer contains an optical epoxy or an optical grade silicone sealant, and wherein the optical homogenizer is a solid polygonal or elliptically distorted solid polygonal waveguide.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the light source further comprises a second LED array inside the ring shaped array of LED chips.