Protocol adaptive computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument

• US 9,958,373 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MOCON, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MOCON, Inc. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ascheman, Timothy A, Tuomela, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HA, NGUYEN Q
• Application Number:
  US15/038,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20170030820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0806 Details, e.g. sample holders, mounting samples for testing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0826 and measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. permeation rate or pressure change
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/086 of films, membranes or pellicules
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/004 CO or CO2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00693 Calibration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00712 Automatic status testing, e.g. at start-up or periodic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K

Abstract

A protocol adaptive, computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument, capable of self-adaptive adjustments to measurement interval, rezero frequency and independent zero go-no-go.

Claims

1. An adaptive analytical instrument, comprising a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument programmed to periodically measure target-analyte transmission rate throughout a permeation testing period employing a sensing period for each measurement, and automatically adjust duration of the sensing period of future target-analyte transmission rate measurements based upon a value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement.

5. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument is further programmed to (-) periodically rezero the target-analyte sensor throughout the permeation testing period at a predetermined frequency, and (-) bypass a scheduled rezero when the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

6. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument is further programmed to (-) periodically rezero the target-analyte sensor throughout the permeation testing period, and (-) adjust frequency of future rezeros of the target-analyte sensor based upon the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement.

7. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument is further programmed to perform an individual zero of the target-analyte sensor at the conclusion of the permeation testing period when the final target-analyte transmission rate measurement falls below a predetermined threshold value.

8. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the target-analyte is oxygen.

9. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the target-analyte is carbon-dioxide.

10. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the target-analyte is water vapor.

11. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the duration of future sensing periods is set at an increased duration when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is above a predetermined threshold value, and set at a decreased duration when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is below a predetermined threshold value.

12. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the duration of sensing periods is set at an initial duration and the initial duration is increased when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is above a predetermined threshold value.

13. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the value of the immediately preceding measurement.

14. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 1, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the mean or median of a plurality of immediately preceding measurements.

32. A method of measuring target-analyte transmission rate of a test film, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument according to claim 1,

(b) obtaining a test film, and

(c) ascertaining the target-analyte transmission rate of the test film using the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument without user input or selection of a sensing period duration.

2. An adaptive analytical instrument, comprising a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument programmed to (-) periodically measure target-analyte transmission rate throughout a permeation testing period, (-) periodically rezerothe target-analyte sensor throughout the permeation testing period at a predetermined frequency, and (-) bypass a scheduled rezero when a value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

15. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 2, wherein the target-analyte is oxygen.

16. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 2, wherein the target-analyte is carbon-dioxide.

17. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 2, wherein the target-analyte is water vapor.

18. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 2, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the value of the immediately preceding measurement.

19. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 2, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the mean or median of a plurality of immediately preceding measurements.

33. A method of measuring target-analyte transmission rate of a test film, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument according to claim 2,

(b) obtaining a test film, and

(c) ascertaining the target-analyte transmission rate of the test film using the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument without user input or selection of a frequency of rezeros.

3. An adaptive analytical instrument, comprising a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument programmed to (-) periodically measure target-analyte transmission rate throughout a permeation testing period, (-) periodically rezero the target-analyte sensor throughout the permeation testing period, and (-) adjust frequency of future rezeros of the target-analyte sensor based upon a value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement.

20. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the target-analyte is oxygen.

21. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the target-analyte is carbon-dioxide.

22. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the target-analyte is water vapor.

23. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the frequency of future rezeros is set at a decreased frequency when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is above a predetermined threshold value, and set at an increased frequency when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is below a predetermined threshold value.

24. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the frequency of future rezeros is set at an initial frequency and the initial frequency is decreased when the value of the at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is above a predetermined threshold value.

25. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the value of the immediately preceding measurement.

26. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 3, wherein the value of at least one previous target-analyte transmission rate measurement is the mean or median of a plurality of immediately preceding measurements.

34. A method of measuring target-analyte transmission rate of a test film, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument according to claim 3,

(b) obtaining a test film, and

(c) ascertaining the target-analyte transmission rate of the test film using the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument without user input or selection of a frequency of rezeros.

4. An adaptive analytical instrument, comprising a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument programmed to (-) periodically measure target-analyte transmission rate throughout a permeation testing period, and (-) perform an individual zero of the target-analyte sensor at the conclusion of the permeation testing period when an ascertained target-analyte transmission rate of the test film is below a predetermined threshold value.

27. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 4, wherein the target-analyte is oxygen.

28. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 4, wherein the target-analyte is carbon-dioxide.

29. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 4, wherein the target-analyte is water vapor.

30. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 4, wherein the ascertained target-analyte transmission rate of the test film is the value of the final measurement.

31. The adaptive analytical instrument of claim 4, wherein the ascertained target-analyte transmission rate of the test film is the mean or median of a plurality of consecutive measurements taken at conclusion of the permeation testing period.

35. A method of measuring target-analyte transmission rate of a test film, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining a computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument according to claim 4,

(b) obtaining a test film, and

(c) ascertaining the target-analyte transmission rate of the test film using the computer controlled target-analyte permeation testing instrument without user input establishing whether to perform an individual zero.