Method for a liquid chemical concentration analysis system
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- causing a sample to contact a sensing surface of an optical sensor;
directing light at the sensing surface so that some of the light will pass through the sensing surface to the sample and some of the light will reflect off of a sample/sensing surface interface and impinge on a plurality of pixel positions on a photodetector;
obtaining pixel output signals from at least some of the pixel positions on the photodetectorcalculating a pixel position using at least in part a mass moment algorithm and the pixel output signals;
determining the concentration of the sample using at least in part the calculated pixel position.
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Abstract
An apparatus utilizes optical reflectivity (REF) to measure concentrations in liquids. The REF optical system is packaged in a compact and cost-effective form factor. An electronic circuit drives the optical system. The miniaturized REF sensor is situated in an optical-fluidic cell or an optical-fluidic manifold with an optical window in contact with the liquid. Changes in a total internal reflection (TIR) signal are sensitive to temperature and concentration of the liquid. These changes in the TIR signal are used to accurately determine the concentration in the liquid. The liquids may be either static or dynamic.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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causing a sample to contact a sensing surface of an optical sensor; directing light at the sensing surface so that some of the light will pass through the sensing surface to the sample and some of the light will reflect off of a sample/sensing surface interface and impinge on a plurality of pixel positions on a photodetector; obtaining pixel output signals from at least some of the pixel positions on the photodetector calculating a pixel position using at least in part a mass moment algorithm and the pixel output signals; determining the concentration of the sample using at least in part the calculated pixel position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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causing a sample to contact a sensing surface of an optical sensor; directing light at the sensing surface so that some of the light will pass through the sensing surface to the sample and some of the light will reflect off of a sample/sensing surface interface and impinge on a plurality of pixel positions on a photodetector; digitizing a pixel output signal from at least some of the pixel positions on the photodetector to generate a digital pixel output data set; determining the index of refraction of the sample using at least in part the digital pixel output data set;
without determining the critical angle;determining the concentration of the sample using at least in part the determined index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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causing a sample to contact a sensing surface of an optical sensor; directing light at the sensing surface so that some of the light will pass through the sensing surface to the sample and some of the light will reflect off of a sample/sensing surface interface and impinge on a plurality of pixels of a photodetector of the optical sensor; obtaining digital pixel output signals from at least some of the pixels of the photodetector; generating a normalized total internal reflection data set; calculating a mass moment pixel position using at least in part a mass moment algorithm and the normalized total internal reflection data set; determining the concentration of the sample using the mass moment pixel position and a correlation between the position of the pixel and the concentration of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification