Multi-channel automatic ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-channel automatic ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer which comprises a light path system, a scanning system and an electric control system, wherein the light path system and the scanning system are arranged in the spectrophotometer; the electric control system comprises an upper computer control system; the light path system is used for controlling a xenon lamp light source and a calibration light path, so that light of the light source reaches a spectrograph connected with the upper computer control system through special cuvettes at the cuvette rack, the scanning system scans the multiple special cuvettes in a multi-channel manner, and the cuvette rack is provided with multiple hole sites at the same height and the same axial direction in a fixed interval manner; a special cuvette for detection operation is placed in the hole site, the light path comprises a light collimation detection system, when a sample is detected, the upper computer control system performs automatic initial hole site self-calibration, and the special cuvette is accurately positioned in the center of the light path so as to facilitate the detection operation; the detection mode of the spectrophotometer comprises single-blank detection or multi-blank detection; according to the invention, the detection efficiency can be improved, manual errors can be reduced, and the consistency and reliability of results can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of spectrophotometers, in particular to a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Background Art

[0002] In the detection of biomacromolecules, such as the concentration and purity determination of proteins and nucleic acids, UV-visible spectrophotometry is a common and effective method. This technology obtains absorbance data by detecting the absorption spectrum of the sample in the ultraviolet and visible light bands. According to the Lambert-Beer law, absorbance is proportional to concentration, so the sample concentration can be calculated; by analyzing the characteristic absorption peak ratio of nucleic acids, such as A260 / 280 and A260 / 230, the sample purity can be evaluated and whether there are proteins or other organic contaminants.

[0003] However, conventional UV-visible spectrophotometry equipment is usually single-channel spectrophotometry, which can only process one sample at a time. When testing multiple samples, if an ordinary UV-visible spectrophotometer is used, the operator needs to constantly replace the cuvette; and when using an ultra-micro spectrophotometer, the detection area needs to be cleaned frequently, which is cumbersome and prone to errors. The design of these devices relies on manual operation, which not only affects the detection efficiency, but also may reduce the accuracy of the data.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to invent a UV-visible spectrophotometer that can realize automated and multi-channel detection in order to improve detection efficiency, reduce manual errors, and ensure the consistency and reliability of results. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, which can improve detection efficiency, reduce manual errors, and ensure the consistency and reliability of results.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

[0007] A multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, comprising an optical path system, a scanning system, and an electronic control system including a host computer control system inside the spectrophotometer; The optical path system is used to control the xenon lamp light source (3) and calibrate the optical path, so that the light from the light source passes through the special cuvette (1) at the cuvette holder (2) to reach the spectrometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans a plurality of special cuvettes through multiple channels via the automated auxiliary optical path system. The cuvette holder is provided with a plurality of holes at fixed intervals at the same height and the same axial direction. The special cuvettes used for the detection operation are placed in the holes. The optical path includes a light alignment detection system. When testing the sample in the special cuvette, the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to accurately position the special cuvette at the center of the optical path to facilitate subsequent testing operations; The detection mode of the spectrophotometer includes single blank detection or multiple blank detection.

[0008] The method for the host computer control system to perform automatic initial hole position self-calibration is specifically as follows: the host computer performs high-frequency sampling, and when the cuvette rack carrying the special cuvette moves through the light collimation detection system, the curved surface of the special cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change, that is, first from weak to strong, and then from strong to weak, with one and only one highest peak; when the test spectrum signal is the strongest, the host computer control system determines that the surface of the special cuvette is completely perpendicular to the light path at this time, and the hole position positioning of the cuvette rack is completed.

[0009] The special cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, which is loaded with water or buffer solution with weak absorbance. The special cuvette passes through the light collimation detection system in turn. The curved surface of the cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change. The test spectrum signal first changes from weak to strong, spanning from dozens of pulses to pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000, and then from strong to weak, that is, from pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000 to dozens of pulses. The entire change shows a symmetrical trend.

[0010] The specific methods of single blank detection and multiple blank detection are as follows: the host computer control system has a built-in host computer program for users to set blanks and samples. When a certain well is set as blank, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette of the target well and saves it as a blank spectrum; when the user sets another well as a sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target well and saves it as an absorbance spectrum; the spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum through the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum. When performing a single blank test, only one well of the cuvette rack needs to be blank tested, and the remaining wells of the cuvette rack can be directly added with samples; When performing multiple blank tests, the user first performs a blank test on the same well of the cuvette rack (such as adding 80ul of water) to obtain a blank spectrum, then adds a sample to this well (adding 20ul of sample to the well already filled with water), sets the instrument to perform a sample test on the same well, and obtains an absorbance spectrum at this same well, so that each well of the cuvette rack has a corresponding blank spectrum.

[0011] The electric control system controls the optical path system and the scanning system and processes the results through the human-computer interaction interface of the host computer control system.

[0012] The optical path system includes a special cuvette and a light collimation detection system. The special cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the special cuvette includes circular, square, and elliptical shapes, and the optical path length ranges from 3 to 10 mm. The light collimation detection system comprises a xenon light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the special cuvette, and a spectrometer. A front collimation screw hole (7) and a rear collimation screw hole (8) are provided at a housing (6) of the collimation module. The xenon light source is connected to the incident optical fiber (4) to the front collimation screw hole, and the rear collimation screw hole is connected to the output optical fiber (5) to the spectrometer (9). A cuvette holder is provided at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes. After the optical fiber is calibrated through the front collimation screw hole and the rear collimation screw hole, the axes of the incident optical fiber and the output optical fiber are collinear, the optical fiber axes are perpendicular to the cuvette surface, and the output optical fiber and the incident optical fiber ends are close to but not in contact with the cuvette holder.

[0013] The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, the cuvette holder is connected to the mechanical transmission mechanism by a detachable structure, the detachable structure includes a positioning groove at the bottom of the cuvette holder for easy disassembly, and the material of the special cuvette is quartz with low ultraviolet absorption characteristics to provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results; The mechanical transmission mechanism comprises a stepping motor (10), a screw (11), a slider (12) and a cuvette holder base (15), wherein the screw is threadedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. When driven by the stepping motor, the screw rotates, driving the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette holder on which the special cuvette is placed.

[0014] The electric control system includes an integral circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system and a host computer control system equipped with the ability to send instructions and analyze results; The human-machine interaction interface of the host control system is used to receive instructions from operators and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through the data transmission circuit. During detection, the scanning system carries the special cuvette to the optical path center of the light collimation detection system, and the optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the special cuvette and the liquid inside. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system through the data transmission circuit for data processing, and the detection results are displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0015] The spacing between the cuvette holes of the cuvette holder is equal, the cross section of the light-through hole in the direction consistent with the cuvette hole and the light path is circular, the aperture of the light-through hole is smaller than the diameter of the special cuvette, and the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light-through hole during detection; The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are matched and embedded with positioning grooves and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is kept parallel to the stepper motor screw at the bottom thereof; A rectangular parallelepiped shell is arranged outside the scanning system, and the scanning system and the shell are fixed by screws. A light shielding cover is arranged outside the alignment detection system, and the light shielding cover and the shell are fixed by screws.

[0016] A working method of a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer comprises the following steps: Step S1, the human-machine interaction interface of the host control system receives the initial self-calibration instruction issued by the operator, and the system automatically performs hole position self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the optical path to prepare for the subsequent detection process; Step S2: During the detection process, the sample concentration is detected in two ways, specifically: The first detection method: single blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent to a single special cuvette, and the remaining cuvettes are loaded with samples to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control detection instruction, and the system controls the scanning system and the optical path system to distinguish the blank reagent from the sample cuvette, and automatically locates the cuvette to perform spectrophotometric detection of the blank and the sample. The test results are received by the host computer control system and processed by absorbance, and the test results are displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface; The second detection method: independent blank control detection. The operator adds a blank reagent to each special cuvette as an independent blank control. The host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to complete the blank detection. After the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to dilute the sample. The host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection result in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0017] The present invention provides a multi-channel automatic ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, which comprises an optical path system, a scanning system and an electric control system. The optical path system is used to control a xenon lamp light source and a calibration optical path to reach a spectrometer through a special cuvette, the scanning system is used to automatically assist the optical path system in multi-channel scanning of a plurality of special cuvettes, and the electric control system controls the optical path system and the scanning system and processes the results through a human-computer interaction interface of a host computer control system; after receiving instructions from an operator, the host computer control system automatically controls a detachable cuvette rack in the scanning system to carry a plurality of quartz special cuvettes to perform multi-channel blank and sample detection in sequence at the center of a light collimation detection system, and the results are returned to the host computer control system for data processing of the spectrometer and displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0018] The present invention realizes multi-channel automatic detection of multiple samples by UV-visible spectrophotometer, has the characteristics of high efficiency, convenience, accuracy and easy maintenance, and significantly improves detection efficiency and user experience.

[0019] The present invention has the function of automatically correcting the optical path and aligning the optical path with the hole position, is not prone to errors that are prone to occur in manual operation, can improve detection efficiency, reduce manual errors, and ensure the consistency and reliability of results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Attached Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention; Attached Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the construction of a special cuvette; Attached Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the scanning system and the collimation module; In the figure: 1-special cuvette, 2-cuvette holder, 3-xenon lamp light source, 4-incident optical fiber, 5-exit optical fiber, 6-collimation module housing, 7-front collimation screw hole, 8-rear collimation screw hole, 9-spectrometer, 10-stepping motor, 11-screw, 12-slider, 13-scanning system housing, 14-touch screen, 15-cuvette holder base, 16-photoelectric switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0023] As shown in the figure, a multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer includes an optical path system, a scanning system, and an electronic control system including a host computer control system inside the spectrophotometer; The optical path system is used to control the xenon lamp light source 3 and calibrate the optical path, so that the light from the light source passes through the special cuvette 1 at the cuvette holder 2 to reach the spectrometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans multiple special cuvettes through the automated auxiliary optical path system in multiple channels. The cuvette holder is set with multiple holes at the same height and the same axial direction at fixed intervals, and the special cuvettes used for the detection operation are placed in the holes. The optical path includes a light alignment detection system. When testing the sample in the special cuvette, the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to accurately position the special cuvette at the center of the optical path to facilitate subsequent testing operations; The detection mode of the spectrophotometer includes single blank detection or multiple blank detection.

[0024] The method for the host computer control system to perform automatic initial hole position self-calibration is specifically as follows: the host computer performs high-frequency sampling, and when the cuvette rack carrying the special cuvette moves through the light collimation detection system, the curved surface of the special cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change, that is, first from weak to strong, and then from strong to weak, with one and only one highest peak; when the test spectrum signal is the strongest, the host computer control system determines that the surface of the special cuvette is completely perpendicular to the light path at this time, and the hole position positioning of the cuvette rack is completed.

[0025] The special cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, which is loaded with water or buffer solution with weak absorbance. The special cuvette passes through the light collimation detection system in turn. The curved surface of the cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change. The test spectrum signal first changes from weak to strong, spanning from dozens of pulses to pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000, and then from strong to weak, that is, from pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000 to dozens of pulses. The entire change shows a symmetrical trend.

[0026] The specific methods of single blank detection and multiple blank detection are as follows: the host computer control system has a built-in host computer program for users to set blanks and samples. When a certain well is set as blank, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette of the target well and saves it as a blank spectrum; when the user sets another well as a sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target well and saves it as an absorbance spectrum; the spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum through the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum. When performing a single blank test, only one well of the cuvette rack needs to be blank tested, and the remaining wells of the cuvette rack can be directly added with samples; When performing multiple blank tests, the user first performs a blank test on the same well of the cuvette rack, such as adding 80ul of water to obtain a blank spectrum, and then adds 20ul of sample to the well already filled with water, and sets the instrument to perform a sample test on the same well, and obtains an absorbance spectrum at the same well, so that each well of the cuvette rack has a corresponding blank spectrum.

[0027] The electric control system controls the optical path system and the scanning system and processes the results through the human-computer interaction interface of the host computer control system.

[0028] The optical path system includes a special cuvette and a light collimation detection system. The special cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the special cuvette includes circular, square, and elliptical shapes, and the optical path length ranges from 3 to 10 mm. The light collimation detection system includes a xenon lamp light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the special cuvette, and a spectrometer. A front collimation screw hole 7 and a rear collimation screw hole 8 are provided at a shell 6 of the collimation module. The xenon lamp light source is connected to the incident optical fiber 4 to the front collimation screw hole, and the rear collimation screw hole is connected to the output optical fiber 5 to the spectrometer 9. A cuvette holder is provided at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes. After the optical fiber is calibrated through the front collimation screw hole and the rear collimation screw hole, the axes of the incident optical fiber and the output optical fiber are collinear, the optical fiber axes are perpendicular to the cuvette surface, and the output optical fiber and the incident optical fiber ends are close to but not in contact with the cuvette holder.

[0029] The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, the cuvette holder is connected to the mechanical transmission mechanism by a detachable structure, the detachable structure includes a positioning groove at the bottom of the cuvette holder for easy disassembly, and the material of the special cuvette is quartz with low ultraviolet absorption characteristics to provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results; The mechanical transmission mechanism includes a stepping motor 10, a screw 11, a slider 12 and a cuvette rack base 15. The screw is threadedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette rack base. When driven by the stepping motor, the screw rotates, driving the slider and the cuvette rack base to move along the screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette rack with the special cuvette.

[0030] The electric control system includes an integral circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system and a host computer control system equipped with the ability to send instructions and analyze results; The human-machine interaction interface of the host control system is used to receive instructions from operators and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through the data transmission circuit. During detection, the scanning system carries the special cuvette to the optical path center of the light collimation detection system, and the optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the special cuvette and the liquid inside. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system through the data transmission circuit for data processing, and the detection results are displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0031] The spacing between the cuvette holes of the cuvette holder is equal, the cross section of the light-through hole in the direction consistent with the cuvette hole and the light path is circular, the aperture of the light-through hole is smaller than the diameter of the special cuvette, and the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light-through hole during detection; The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are matched and embedded with positioning grooves and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is kept parallel to the stepper motor screw at the bottom thereof; A rectangular parallelepiped shell is arranged outside the scanning system, and the scanning system and the shell are fixed by screws. A light shielding cover is arranged outside the alignment detection system, and the light shielding cover and the shell are fixed by screws.

[0032] A working method of a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer comprises the following steps: Step S1, the human-machine interaction interface of the host control system receives the initial self-calibration instruction issued by the operator, and the system automatically performs hole position self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the optical path to prepare for the subsequent detection process; Step S2: During the detection process, the sample concentration is detected in two ways, specifically: The first detection method: single blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent to a single special cuvette, and the remaining cuvettes are loaded with samples to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control detection instruction, and the system controls the scanning system and the optical path system to distinguish the blank reagent from the sample cuvette, and automatically locates the cuvette to perform spectrophotometric detection of the blank and the sample. The test results are received by the host computer control system and processed by absorbance, and the test results are displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface; The second detection method: independent blank control detection. The operator adds a blank reagent to each special cuvette as an independent blank control. The host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to complete the blank detection. After the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to dilute the sample. The host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection result in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0033] Example: In this example, a multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer includes an optical path system inside the spectrophotometer, a scanning system for realizing automated multi-channel scanning, and an electronic control system including a host computer control system and an overall circuit, wherein the optical path system is used to control a xenon lamp light source and a calibration optical path to reach the spectrometer through a special cuvette, the scanning system is used to automatically assist the optical path system in multi-channel scanning of a plurality of special cuvettes, and the electronic control system controls the optical path system and the scanning system and processes the results through a human-computer interaction interface of the host computer control system; The optical path system includes a special cuvette and a light collimation detection system. The special cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested, and the horizontal cross-section can be in various shapes (including round, square, elliptical, etc.). The light collimation detection system includes a xenon light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the special cuvette, and a spectrometer. The collimation module is divided into a front collimation screw hole and a rear collimation screw hole. The xenon light source is connected to the incident optical fiber to the front collimation screw hole, and the rear collimation screw hole is connected to the outgoing optical fiber to the spectrometer. A cuvette holder is placed at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes. Holes are set on the cuvette holder at fixed intervals at the same height and the same axial direction. The cuvette can be placed in the hole during detection; The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism and a detachable cuvette holder, a positioning groove is provided at the bottom of the detachable cuvette holder for easy disassembly and assembly, the mechanical transmission mechanism includes a stepping motor, a lead screw, a slider and a cuvette holder base, the lead screw is threadedly connected to the slider, the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base, the lead screw rotates under the drive of the stepping motor, driving the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the axial direction of the lead screw, thereby driving the cuvette holder with the special cuvette; The electric control system includes an overall circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system and a host computer control system that can send instructions and analyze results. The host computer control system integrates an automatic initial hole position self-calibration function, supports single blank or multi-blank detection methods, and has an automatic positioning cuvette function. The human-computer interaction interface of the host computer control system is used to receive instructions from operators and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through a data transmission circuit. The scanning system carries the special cuvette to the optical path center of the light collimation detection system. The optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the special cuvette and the internal liquid. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system through the data transmission circuit for data processing, and the detection results are displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0034] The horizontal cross-section of the special cuvette can be in various shapes such as round, square, elliptical, etc., and the optical path length is 3~10mm. The material of the special cuvette is quartz, which has low ultraviolet absorption characteristics and can provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results.

[0035] The spacing between the cuvette holes of the cuvette rack is equal, the cross-section of the light-through hole in the direction consistent with the cuvette hole and the light path is circular, the aperture of the light-through hole is smaller than the diameter of the special cuvette, and the liquid level in the cuvette should be higher than the top of the light-through hole during detection.

[0036] After the optical fiber is calibrated through the front and rear collimating screw holes, the axes of the incident optical fiber and the output optical fiber are collinear, the optical fiber axes are perpendicular to the cuvette surface, and the output optical fiber and the incident optical fiber ends are close to but not in contact with the cuvette holder.

[0037] The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are matched and embedded with positioning grooves and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is kept parallel to the stepping motor lead screw at the bottom thereof.

[0038] A rectangular parallelepiped shell is arranged outside the scanning system, and the scanning system and the shell are fixed by screws. A light shielding cover is arranged outside the alignment detection system, and the light shielding cover and the shell are fixed by screws.

[0039] A working method of a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, wherein the human-machine interface of the host computer control system receives an initial self-calibration instruction issued by an operator, and the system automatically performs a hole position self-calibration and accurately positions a cuvette at the center of an optical path to prepare for a subsequent detection process; the instrument can detect sample concentration in two ways, detection method one: single blank control detection, the operator adds a blank reagent to a single special cuvette, and the remaining cuvettes are loaded with samples to be tested, the host computer control system receives a single blank control detection instruction, the system controls a scanning system and an optical path system to distinguish between blank reagent and sample cuvettes, and automatically positions the cuvettes to perform spectrophotometric detection of blanks and samples, and the detection results are transmitted to the host computer control system The system accepts and processes the absorbance, and displays the test results in real time on the human-computer interaction interface; the second: independent blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent to each special cuvette as an independent blank control, the host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to complete the blank detection, after the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to dilute the sample, the host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the test results in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0040] In the detection environment of this example (light source, spectrometer, collimation system, cylindrical cuvette, water or buffer with weak absorbance), when the spectral intensity test is performed on the curved surface, under the high-frequency sampling state, it can be found that when the cuvette holder moves with the cuvette, the cylindrical cuvette will pass through the collimation system in turn, and the tested spectral signal will change from weak to strong, spanning from dozens of pulses to pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000, and then from strong to weak, that is, from pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000 to dozens of pulses. The whole change is symmetrical, with only one highest peak. The only thing that changes during the whole process is the cuvette, so it can be known that the influencing factor of this change is the curved surface of the cuvette. Analysis shows that when the surface of the cuvette is completely perpendicular to the light path, the light intensity is the strongest. Therefore, it can be inferred that when the light intensity is the strongest, the surface of the cuvette is completely perpendicular to the light path, that is, the positioning is completed. Therefore, the positioning of the first hole and the positioning of all hole positions can be completed. Other shapes of cuvettes also use approximate principles for hole positioning.

[0041] In this example, the single blank and multiple blank detection methods are as follows: the program has built-in host computer programs that allow users to set blanks and samples. When a certain well is set as blank, the instrument will automatically perform spectral detection on the cuvette of the target well and save it as a blank spectrum; when the user sets another well as a sample, the instrument will automatically perform spectral detection on the newly set target well and save it as an absorbance spectrum. With the blank spectrum and absorbance spectrum, the instrument can calculate the absorbance spectrum, and this method only requires a blank test for one well, and samples can be directly added to the remaining wells, so it is called a single blank.

[0042] Similarly, when the user performs a blank test on the same well (such as adding 80ul of water), and then adds a sample to the well (adding 20ul of sample to the well already filled with water), and sets the instrument to perform a sample test on the same well, an absorbance spectrum will be obtained in the same well. This detection method, in which each well has its own blank, is called multiple blanks.

Claims

1. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer, characterized in that: It includes the optical path system, scanning system and electronic control system including the host computer control system inside the spectrophotometer; The optical path system is used to control the xenon lamp light source (3) and calibrate the optical path, so that the light from the light source passes through the special cuvette (1) at the cuvette holder (2) to reach the spectrometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans a plurality of special cuvettes through multiple channels via the automated auxiliary optical path system. The cuvette holder is provided with a plurality of holes at fixed intervals at the same height and the same axial direction. The special cuvettes used for the detection operation are placed in the holes. The optical path includes a light alignment detection system. When testing the sample in the special cuvette, the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to accurately position the special cuvette at the center of the optical path to facilitate subsequent testing operations; The detection mode of the spectrophotometer includes single blank detection or multiple blank detection.

2. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for the host computer control system to perform automatic initial hole position self-calibration is specifically as follows: the host computer performs high-frequency sampling, and when the cuvette rack carrying the special cuvette moves through the light collimation detection system, the curved surface of the special cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change, that is, first from weak to strong, and then from strong to weak, with one and only one highest peak; when the test spectrum signal is the strongest, the host computer control system determines that the surface of the special cuvette is completely perpendicular to the light path at this time, and the hole position positioning of the cuvette rack is completed.

3. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The special cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, which is loaded with water or buffer solution with weak absorbance. The special cuvette passes through the light collimation detection system in turn. The curved surface of the cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change. The test spectrum signal first changes from weak to strong, spanning from dozens of pulses to pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000, and then from strong to weak, that is, from pulses with a peak value of 50,000 to 60,000 to dozens of pulses. The entire change shows a symmetrical trend.

4. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The specific methods of single blank detection and multiple blank detection are as follows: the host computer control system has a built-in host computer program for users to set blanks and samples. When a certain well is set as blank, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette of the target well and saves it as a blank spectrum; when the user sets another well as a sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target well and saves it as an absorbance spectrum; the spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum through the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum. When performing a single blank test, only one well of the cuvette rack needs to be blank tested, and the remaining wells of the cuvette rack can be directly added with samples; When performing multiple blank tests, the user first performs a blank test on the same well of the cuvette rack to obtain a blank spectrum, then adds a sample to this well and sets the instrument to perform a sample test on the same well to obtain an absorbance spectrum at this same well, so that each well of the cuvette rack has a corresponding blank spectrum.

5. The multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric control system controls the optical path system and the scanning system and processes the results through the human-machine interaction interface of the host computer control system.

6. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical path system includes a special cuvette and a light collimation detection system. The special cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the special cuvette includes circular, square, and elliptical shapes, and the optical path length ranges from 3 to 10 mm. The light collimation detection system comprises a xenon light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the special cuvette, and a spectrometer. A front collimation screw hole (7) and a rear collimation screw hole (8) are provided at a housing (6) of the collimation module. The xenon light source is connected to the incident optical fiber (4) to the front collimation screw hole, and the rear collimation screw hole is connected to the output optical fiber (5) to the spectrometer (9). A cuvette holder is provided at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes. After the optical fiber is calibrated through the front collimation screw hole and the rear collimation screw hole, the axes of the incident optical fiber and the output optical fiber are collinear, the optical fiber axes are perpendicular to the cuvette surface, and the output optical fiber and the incident optical fiber ends are close to but not in contact with the cuvette holder.

7. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, the cuvette holder is connected to the mechanical transmission mechanism by a detachable structure, the detachable structure includes a positioning groove at the bottom of the cuvette holder for easy disassembly, and the material of the special cuvette is quartz with low ultraviolet absorption characteristics to provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results; The mechanical transmission mechanism comprises a stepping motor (10), a screw (11), a slider (12) and a cuvette holder base (15), wherein the screw is threadedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. When driven by the stepping motor, the screw rotates, driving the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette holder on which the special cuvette is placed.

8. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The electric control system includes an integral circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system and a host computer control system equipped with the ability to send instructions and analyze results; The human-machine interaction interface of the host control system is used to receive instructions from operators and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through the data transmission circuit. During detection, the scanning system carries the special cuvette to the optical path center of the light collimation detection system, and the optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the special cuvette and the liquid inside. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system through the data transmission circuit for data processing, and the detection results are displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

9. A multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The spacing between the cuvette holes of the cuvette holder is equal, the cross section of the light-through hole in the direction consistent with the cuvette hole and the light path is circular, the aperture of the light-through hole is smaller than the diameter of the special cuvette, and the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light-through hole during detection; The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are matched and embedded with positioning grooves and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is kept parallel to the stepper motor screw at the bottom thereof; A rectangular parallelepiped shell is arranged outside the scanning system, and the scanning system and the shell are fixed by screws. A light shielding cover is arranged outside the alignment detection system, and the light shielding cover and the shell are fixed by screws.

10. A method for operating a multi-channel automated UV-visible spectrophotometer, characterized in that: The steps include: Step S1, the human-machine interaction interface of the host control system receives the initial self-calibration instruction issued by the operator, and the system automatically performs hole position self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the optical path to prepare for the subsequent detection process; Step S2: During the detection process, the sample concentration is detected in two ways, specifically: The first detection method: single blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent to a single special cuvette, and the remaining cuvettes are loaded with samples to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control detection instruction, and the system controls the scanning system and the optical path system to distinguish the blank reagent from the sample cuvette, and automatically locates the cuvette to perform spectrophotometric detection of the blank and the sample. The test results are received by the host computer control system and processed by absorbance, and the test results are displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface; The second detection method: independent blank control detection. The operator adds a blank reagent to each special cuvette as an independent blank control. The host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to complete the blank detection. After the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the special cuvette containing the blank reagent to dilute the sample. The host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the optical path system to automatically locate the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection result in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

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