Disposable sensing device having radio frequency based sensor

• US 8,508,368 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2008
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Potyrailo, Radislav Alexandrovich, Morris, William Guy, Monk, David James, Singh, Vijay
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALAM, MIRZA F
• Application Number:
  US12/124,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20090289792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,910 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.26, 340/572.1, 340/572.7, 340/572.8, 340/541, 340/633, 340/540, 340/10.1, 340/573.1, 340/10.3, 340/435, 340/10.51, 340/10.41, 700/105, 700/110, 700/230, 700/231, 700/239, 700/244, 700265-273, 700281-283, 700/285, 137/177, 137/251.1, 137/798, 235/385, 235/375, 235/492, 235/380, 235/462.13, 731/16
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Abstract

A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a container is provided. The sensing device comprises a radio frequency based sensor; a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container, and a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor.

Claims

1. A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a container, comprising:

a radio frequency based sensor comprising a sensing film;

a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container, wherein the support is configured to receive the sensor on an end;

an insert; and

a pick-up coil coupled to the insert, wherein the pick-up coil is in operative association with the sensor,

wherein the insert is configured to move in and out of another end of the support such that a distance between the pick-up coil and sensor is adjustable.

2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the insert is removably coupled to the support.

3. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is removably attached to the container.

4. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency based sensor is pre-calibrated.

5. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the container is a disposable bioprocess component.

6. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the bioprocess component comprises one or more of a storage bag, a transfer line, a filter, a connector, a valve, a pump, a bioreactor, or a separation column.

7. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency based sensor is gamma-radiation sterilizable.

8. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the pick-up coil is pre-calibrated.

9. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency based sensor is disposable.

10. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein both the sensor and the pick-up coil are disposed in the support.

11. The sensing device of claim 10, wherein the support is disposable.

12. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensing film is disposed on the sensor side opposite to the pick-up coil.

13. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to sense one or more conditions comprising a physical condition, a chemical condition, and a biological condition.

14. The sensing device of claim 1, further comprising a ferrite material disposed on the radio frequency based sensor.

15. The sensing device of claim 14, further comprising a metallic layer disposed on the ferrite material.

16. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency based sensor comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

17. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency based sensor is a radio frequency identification tag with an analog input into a memory chip.

18. A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a disposable container, comprising:

a radio frequency based sensor, wherein the sensor is pre-calibrated;

a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor, and

a support for positioning the sensor and the pick-up coil in operative proximity to one another.

19. A sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a disposable container, comprising,

a radio frequency based sensor comprising a sensing film;

a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container, wherein the support is configured to receive the sensor on an end;

a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor; and

an insert configured to move in and out of another end of the support such that a distance between the pick-up coil and the sensor is adjustable, and wherein the pick-up coil is directly or indirectly fixed to the insert.

20. The sensing device of claim 19, wherein the pick-up coil is non-disposable.

21. The sensing device of claim 19, wherein the pick-up coil is attached to the container without electrical contact with the sensor.

22. The sensing device of claim 19, wherein the pick-up coil is in physical contact with the support.

23. A system comprising:

a sensing device for sensing one or more conditions inside a container, comprising;

a radio frequency based sensor, wherein the sensor is pre-calibrated;

a support for positioning the sensor in operative proximity to the inside of the container; and

a pick-up coil in operative association with the sensor.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the sensing device is operatively coupled to a disposable bioprocess component.