A multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer

Abstract

This invention proposes a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, comprising an internal optical path system, a scanning system, and an electronic control system including a host computer control system. The optical path system controls the xenon lamp light source and calibrates the optical path, ensuring that the light from the light source passes through specially designed cuvettes on the cuvette holder and reaches the spectrophotometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans multiple specially designed cuvettes through multiple channels. The cuvette holder has multiple well positions set at fixed intervals at the same height and along the same axis. The specially designed cuvettes used for testing are placed in the well positions. The optical path includes an optical collimation detection system. When testing samples, the host computer control system performs automatic initial well position self-calibration to precisely position the specially designed cuvettes at the center of the optical path for easy testing. The spectrophotometer can perform single-blank testing or multi-blank testing. This invention improves detection efficiency, reduces manual errors, and ensures the consistency and reliability of results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of spectrophotometer technology, and in particular to a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Background Technology

[0002] In the detection of biological macromolecules, such as the determination of the concentration and purity of proteins and nucleic acids, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry is a commonly used and effective method. This technique obtains absorbance data by detecting the absorption spectrum of the sample in the ultraviolet and visible light bands. According to Beer-Lambert's law, absorbance is directly proportional to concentration, so the sample concentration can be calculated. By analyzing the characteristic absorption peak ratios of nucleic acids, such as A260 / 280 and A260 / 230, the purity of the sample can be assessed, and the presence of proteins or other organic contaminants can be determined.

[0003] However, current conventional UV-Vis spectrophotometric equipment is typically single-channel, processing only one sample at a time. When analyzing multiple samples, if using a regular UV-Vis spectrophotometer, operators need to constantly change cuvettes; while using an ultra-micro spectrophotometer requires frequent cleaning of the detection area, making the operation cumbersome and prone to errors. These devices rely on manual operation, which not only affects detection efficiency but may also reduce data accuracy.

[0004] Therefore, it is essential to invent a UV-Vis spectrophotometer that can achieve 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] This invention proposes 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 solution.

[0007] A multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes an optical path system, a scanning system, and an electrical control system containing a host computer control system within the spectrophotometer.

[0008] 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) and reaches the spectrometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans multiple special cuvettes through the automated auxiliary optical path system. The cuvette holder has multiple holes set at the same height and the same axis at fixed intervals. The special cuvettes used for the detection operation are placed in the holes.

[0009] The optical path includes an optical collimation and detection system. When detecting a sample in a specially designed cuvette, the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to precisely position the specially designed cuvette at the center of the optical path for subsequent detection operations.

[0010] Spectrophotometers can perform single-blank or multi-blank detection methods.

[0011] The method for automatic initial hole position self-calibration of the host computer control system is as follows: The host computer performs high-frequency sampling. When the cuvette holder carrying the special cuvette moves through the optical collimation detection system, the arc-shaped surface of the special cuvette causes the test spectral signal received by the host computer to change, that is, from weak to strong, and then from strong to weak, with only one highest peak. When the test spectral signal is the strongest, the host computer control system determines that the surface of the special cuvette is completely perpendicular to the optical path, and the hole position of the cuvette holder is completed.

[0012] The specially designed cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, filled with water or buffer solution with weak absorbance. The cuvette passes through the optical collimation detection system in sequence. When the test spectral signal received by the host computer changes due to the curved surface of the cuvette, the test spectral signal first increases from weak to strong, spanning from tens of pulses to a peak of 50,000 to 60,000 pulses, and then decreases from strong to weak again, from a peak of 50,000 to 60,000 pulses back to tens of pulses. The entire change shows a symmetrical trend.

[0013] The methods for single-blank and multi-blank detection are as follows: The host computer control system has a built-in program for users to set blanks and samples. When a blank is set for a certain well, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette at the target well and saves it as the blank spectrum. When the user sets another well as the sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target well and saves it as the absorbance spectrum. Using the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum, the spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum.

[0014] When performing a single blank test, only one hole of the cuvette holder needs to be tested for blank, and the remaining holes of the cuvette holder can be directly filled with samples;

[0015] When performing multiple blank tests, the user first performs a blank test on the same well of the cuvette holder (e.g., adding 80 μL of water) to obtain a blank spectrum. Then, the user adds a sample to the same well (adding 20 μL of sample to the well that already contains water), 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 holder has a corresponding blank spectrum.

[0016] The electronic control system controls and processes the optical path system and scanning system through the human-machine interface of the host computer control system.

[0017] The optical path system includes a specially designed cuvette and an optical collimation and detection system. The specially designed cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the specially designed cuvette includes circular, square, and elliptical shapes, and its optical path length ranges from 3 to 10 mm.

[0018] The optical collimation detection system includes a xenon lamp light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the specially made cuvette, and a spectrometer. The collimation module housing (6) is provided with a front collimation screw hole (7) and a rear collimation screw hole (8). 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 outgoing optical fiber (5) to the spectrometer (9). A cuvette holder is placed at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes.

[0019] After the optical fibers are calibrated through the front and rear collimation screw holes, the axes of the incident and outgoing optical fibers are collinear, the optical fiber axis is perpendicular to the surface of the cuvette, and the ends of the outgoing and incident optical fibers are close to but do not contact the cuvette holder.

[0020] The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, and 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 assembly. The specially made cuvette is made of quartz with low ultraviolet absorption characteristics to provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results.

[0021] The mechanical transmission mechanism includes a stepper motor (10), a lead screw (11), a slider (12), and a cuvette holder base (15). The lead screw is threadedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. Under the drive of the stepper motor, the lead screw rotates, causing the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the lead screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette holder containing the special cuvette.

[0022] The electronic control system includes an overall circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system, as well as a host computer control system equipped with a function to send commands and analyze results.

[0023] The human-machine interface of the host computer control system is used to receive instructions from the operator and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through the data transmission circuit.

[0024] During testing, the scanning system carries the specially designed cuvette to the center of the optical path of the optical collimation detection system. The optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the specially designed cuvette and the liquid inside. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system for data processing through the data transmission circuit. The detection results are displayed on the human-machine interface.

[0025] The cuvette holder has equal spacing between cuvette holes. The cross-section of the light-transmitting hole in the direction of the light path is circular. The diameter of the light-transmitting hole is smaller than the diameter of the specially made cuvette. During detection, the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light-transmitting hole.

[0026] The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are fitted together by a positioning groove and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is parallel to the stepper motor lead screw at its bottom;

[0027] The scanning system is equipped with a cuboid outer shell, and the scanning system is fixed to the outer shell with screws. The collimation detection system is equipped with a light shield, and the light shield is fixed to the outer shell with screws.

[0028] A method for operating a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes the following steps;

[0029] Step S1: The human-machine interface of the host computer control system receives the initial self-calibration command issued by the operator. The system automatically performs hole self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the optical path in preparation for the subsequent detection process.

[0030] Step S2: During the detection process, the sample concentration is detected in two ways, specifically:

[0031] The first detection method is a single blank control test. The operator adds a blank reagent to a single specially made cuvette, while the other cuvettes are filled with the sample to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control test instruction, and the system controls the scanning system and optical path system to distinguish between the blank reagent and the sample cuvettes. It also automatically positions the cuvettes to perform spectrophotometric detection of the blank and the sample. The detection results are received by the host computer control system and processed for absorbance. The results are then displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0032] The second detection method involves independent blank control detection. Operators add blank reagents to each specially designed cuvette as independent blank controls. Upon receiving the independent blank control detection command, the host computer control system automatically positions the scanning and optical systems to the cuvettes containing the blank reagents to complete the blank detection. After the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the cuvettes containing the blank reagents for sample dilution. The host computer control system then receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection command, automatically positions the scanning and optical systems to the cuvettes containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection results in real time on the human-machine interface.

[0033] This invention proposes a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes an optical path system, a scanning system, and an electronic control system. The optical path system controls the xenon lamp light source and calibration optical path to reach the spectrometer through specially designed cuvettes. The scanning system automatically assists the optical path system in multi-channel scanning of multiple specially designed cuvettes. The electronic control system controls and processes the results of the optical path system and scanning system through a human-machine interface of a host computer control system. After receiving instructions from the operator, the host computer control system automatically controls the detachable cuvette holder in the scanning system to carry several specially designed quartz cuvettes to the center of the optical collimation and detection system for sequential multi-channel blank and sample detection. The results are returned to the host computer control system for spectrometer data processing and displayed on the human-machine interface.

[0034] This invention enables multi-channel automated detection of various samples using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, featuring high efficiency, convenience, accuracy, and ease of maintenance, significantly improving detection efficiency and user experience.

[0035] This invention features automatic optical path correction, aligning the optical path with the aperture position. It is less prone to errors that are easily caused by manual operation, thus improving detection efficiency, reducing manual errors, and ensuring the consistency and reliability of the results. Attached Figure Description

[0036] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0037] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention;

[0038] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specially designed cuvette;

[0039] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the scanning system and collimation module;

[0040] In the diagram: 1-Special cuvette, 2-Cuvette holder, 3-Xenon lamp light source, 4-Incident fiber, 5-Outgoing fiber, 6-Collimation module housing, 7-Front collimation screw hole, 8-Rear collimation screw hole, 9-Spectrometer, 10-Stepper motor, 11-Lead screw, 12-Slider, 13-Scanning system housing, 14-Touch screen, 15-Cuvette holder base, 16-Photoelectric switch. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0042] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0043] As shown in the figure, a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes an optical path system, a scanning system, and an electrical control system containing a host computer control system inside the spectrophotometer.

[0044] 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 specially designed cuvette 1 at the cuvette holder 2 and reaches the spectrometer connected to the host computer control system. The scanning system scans multiple specially designed cuvettes through the automated auxiliary optical path system. The cuvette holder has multiple apertures set at fixed intervals at the same height and along the same axis. The specially designed cuvettes used for the detection operation are placed in the apertures.

[0045] The optical path includes an optical collimation and detection system. When detecting a sample in a specially designed cuvette, the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to precisely position the specially designed cuvette at the center of the optical path for subsequent detection operations.

[0046] Spectrophotometers can perform single-blank or multi-blank detection methods.

[0047] The method for automatic initial hole position self-calibration of the host computer control system is as follows: The host computer performs high-frequency sampling. When the cuvette holder carrying the special cuvette moves through the optical collimation detection system, the arc-shaped surface of the special cuvette causes the test spectral signal received by the host computer to change, that is, from weak to strong, and then from strong to weak, with only one highest peak. When the test spectral signal is the strongest, the host computer control system determines that the surface of the special cuvette is completely perpendicular to the optical path, and the hole position of the cuvette holder is completed.

[0048] The specially designed cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, filled with water or buffer solution with weak absorbance. The cuvette passes through the optical collimation detection system in sequence. When the test spectral signal received by the host computer changes due to the curved surface of the cuvette, the test spectral signal first increases from weak to strong, spanning from tens of pulses to a peak of 50,000 to 60,000 pulses, and then decreases from strong to weak again, from a peak of 50,000 to 60,000 pulses back to tens of pulses. The entire change shows a symmetrical trend.

[0049] The methods for single-blank and multi-blank detection are as follows: The host computer control system has a built-in program for users to set blanks and samples. When a blank is set for a certain well, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette at the target well and saves it as the blank spectrum. When the user sets another well as the sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target well and saves it as the absorbance spectrum. Using the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum, the spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum.

[0050] When performing a single blank test, only one hole of the cuvette holder needs to be tested for blank, and the remaining holes of the cuvette holder can be directly filled with samples;

[0051] When performing multiple blank tests, the user first performs a blank test on the same well of the cuvette holder, such as adding 80 μL of water to obtain a blank spectrum. Then, the user adds 20 μL of sample to the well that already contains water, 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 holder has a corresponding blank spectrum.

[0052] The electronic control system controls and processes the optical path system and scanning system through the human-machine interface of the host computer control system.

[0053] The optical path system includes a specially designed cuvette and an optical collimation and detection system. The specially designed cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the specially designed cuvette includes circular, square, and elliptical shapes, and its optical path length ranges from 3 to 10 mm.

[0054] The optical collimation detection system includes a xenon lamp light source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, a specially made cuvette, and a spectrometer. The collimation module housing 6 has a front collimation screw hole 7 and a rear collimation screw hole 8. 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 outgoing optical fiber 5 to the spectrometer 9. A cuvette holder is placed at the center of the optical path of the front and rear collimation screw holes.

[0055] After the optical fibers are calibrated through the front and rear collimation screw holes, the axes of the incident and outgoing optical fibers are collinear, the optical fiber axis is perpendicular to the surface of the cuvette, and the ends of the outgoing and incident optical fibers are close to but do not contact the cuvette holder.

[0056] The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, and 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 assembly. The specially made cuvette is made of quartz with low ultraviolet absorption characteristics to provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results.

[0057] The mechanical transmission mechanism includes a stepper motor 10, a lead screw 11, a slider 12, and a cuvette holder base 15. The lead screw is threadedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. Driven by the stepper motor, the lead screw rotates, causing the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the lead screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette holder containing the special cuvettes.

[0058] The electronic control system includes an overall circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system, as well as a host computer control system equipped with a function to send commands and analyze results.

[0059] The human-machine interface of the host computer control system is used to receive instructions from the operator and send instructions to the scanning system and the optical path system through the data transmission circuit.

[0060] During testing, the scanning system carries the specially designed cuvette to the center of the optical path of the optical collimation detection system. The optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the specially designed cuvette and the liquid inside. The spectral results analyzed by the optical path system are returned to the host computer control system for data processing through the data transmission circuit. The detection results are displayed on the human-machine interface.

[0061] The cuvette holder has equal spacing between cuvette holes. The cross-section of the light-transmitting hole in the direction of the light path is circular. The diameter of the light-transmitting hole is smaller than the diameter of the specially made cuvette. During detection, the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light-transmitting hole.

[0062] The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are fitted together by a positioning groove and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is parallel to the stepper motor lead screw at its bottom;

[0063] The scanning system is equipped with a cuboid outer shell, and the scanning system is fixed to the outer shell with screws. The collimation detection system is equipped with a light shield, and the light shield is fixed to the outer shell with screws.

[0064] A method for operating a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes the following steps;

[0065] Step S1: The human-machine interface of the host computer control system receives the initial self-calibration command issued by the operator. The system automatically performs hole self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the optical path in preparation for the subsequent detection process.

[0066] Step S2: During the detection process, the sample concentration is detected in two ways, specifically:

[0067] The first detection method is a single blank control test. The operator adds a blank reagent to a single specially made cuvette, while the other cuvettes are filled with the sample to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control test instruction, and the system controls the scanning system and optical path system to distinguish between the blank reagent and the sample cuvettes. It also automatically positions the cuvettes to perform spectrophotometric detection of the blank and the sample. The detection results are received by the host computer control system and processed for absorbance. The results are then displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

[0068] The second detection method involves independent blank control detection. Operators add blank reagents to each specially designed cuvette as independent blank controls. Upon receiving the independent blank control detection command, the host computer control system automatically positions the scanning and optical systems to the cuvettes containing the blank reagents to complete the blank detection. After the blank detection is completed, the operator adds the sample to be tested to the cuvettes containing the blank reagents for sample dilution. The host computer control system then receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection command, automatically positions the scanning and optical systems to the cuvettes containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection results in real time on the human-machine interface.

[0069] Example:

[0070] In this example, a multi-channel automated ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer includes an internal optical path system, a scanning system for automated multi-channel scanning, and an electronic control system comprising a host computer control system and overall circuitry. The optical path system controls the xenon lamp light source and calibration optical path to reach the spectrophotometer through specially designed cuvettes. The scanning system automatically assists the optical path system in multi-channel scanning of multiple specially designed cuvettes. The electronic control system controls and processes the results of the optical path system and scanning system through the human-machine interface of the host computer control system.

[0071] The optical path system includes a specially designed cuvette and an optical collimation and detection system. The specially designed cuvette is used to hold the sample to be tested, and its horizontal cross-section can be of various shapes (including circular, square, elliptical, etc.). The optical collimation and detection system includes a xenon lamp source, an optical fiber, a collimation module, the specially designed cuvette, and a spectrometer. The collimation module is divided into a front collimation screw hole and a rear collimation screw hole. The xenon lamp 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. The cuvette holder has holes set at fixed intervals at the same height and in the same axis. During detection, the cuvette can be placed in the holes.

[0072] The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism and a detachable cuvette holder. The detachable cuvette holder has a positioning groove at the bottom for easy disassembly and assembly. The mechanical transmission mechanism includes a stepper motor, a lead screw, a slider, and a cuvette holder base. The lead screw and the slider are threadedly connected, and the slider is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. Under the drive of the stepper motor, the lead screw rotates, causing the slider and the cuvette holder base to move along the lead screw axis, thereby driving the cuvette holder containing the specially made cuvette.

[0073] The electronic control system includes an overall circuit connecting the optical path system and the scanning system, as well as a host computer control system equipped with a system capable of sending commands and analyzing results. The host computer control system integrates an automatic initial well position self-calibration function, supports single-blank or multi-blank detection modes, and has an automatic cuvette positioning function. The human-machine interface of the host computer control system is used to receive commands from the operator and send commands to the scanning system and the optical path system through a data transmission circuit. The scanning system carries the specially designed cuvette to the optical path center of the optical collimation detection system. The optical path system performs spectrophotometric detection on the specially designed 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-machine interface.

[0074] The specially designed cuvette can have a horizontal cross-section in various shapes such as circular, square, and elliptical, with an optical path length of 3~10mm. The cuvette is made of quartz, which has low ultraviolet absorption characteristics and can provide high-precision ultraviolet detection results.

[0075] The cuvette holder has equal spacing between the cuvette holes. The cross-section of the light-transmitting hole in the direction of the light path is circular. The diameter of the light-transmitting hole is smaller than the diameter of the specially made cuvette. During testing, the liquid level in the cuvette should be higher than the top of the light-transmitting hole.

[0076] After the optical fibers are aligned through the collimation screw holes, the axes of the incident and output optical fibers are collinear, the optical fiber axes are perpendicular to the surface of the cuvette, and the ends of the output and incident optical fibers are close to but do not contact the cuvette holder.

[0077] The cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base are fitted together by a positioning groove and positioning steel balls, and the assembled cuvette holder is parallel to the stepper motor lead screw at its bottom.

[0078] The scanning system is equipped with a cuboid outer shell, and the scanning system is fixed to the outer shell with screws. The collimation detection system is equipped with a light shield, and the light shield is fixed to the outer shell with screws.

[0079] A method for operating a multi-channel automated UV-Vis spectrophotometer is disclosed. The human-machine interface of the host computer control system receives initial self-calibration commands from the operator. The system automatically performs well self-calibration and precisely positions the cuvettes at the center of the optical path in preparation for subsequent detection. The instrument can detect sample concentration in two ways. Method 1: Single blank control detection. The operator adds a blank reagent to a single specially designed cuvette, while the remaining cuvettes contain the sample to be tested. Upon receiving the single blank control detection command, the host computer control system controls the scanning system and optical path system to distinguish between the blank reagent and sample cuvettes, and automatically positions the cuvettes for spectrophotometric detection of both the blank and sample. The detection results are transmitted through the host computer control system. The system accepts and processes absorbance data, and displays the detection results in real time on the human-machine interface. The second method involves independent blank control detection. Operators add blank reagents to each specially designed cuvette as independent blank controls. The host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection command and controls the scanning system and optical path system to automatically position the specially designed 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 specially designed cuvette containing the blank reagent for sample dilution. The host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection command and controls the scanning system and optical path system to automatically position the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection results in real time on the human-machine interface.

[0080] In this example's testing environment (light source, spectrometer, collimation system, cylindrical cuvette, filled with water or buffer solution with low absorbance), when testing the spectral intensity of a curved surface at high frequency sampling, it can be observed that as the cuvette holder moves, the cylindrical cuvette sequentially passes through the collimation system. The measured spectral signal increases from weak to strong, spanning from tens of pulses to a peak of 50,000-60,000 pulses, and then decreases again from the peak of 50,000-60,000 pulses back to tens of pulses. This entire change exhibits a symmetrical trend, with only one highest peak. The only component changing throughout this process is the cuvette itself. Therefore, the influencing factor is the curved surface of the cuvette. Analysis shows that the light intensity is strongest when the cuvette surface is completely perpendicular to the light path. Therefore, it can be deduced that when the light intensity is strongest, the cuvette surface is completely perpendicular to the light path, indicating successful positioning. This allows for the positioning of the first hole and all other holes. The same approximate principle is used for hole positioning with cuvettes of other shapes.

[0081] In this example, the single-blank and multi-blank detection methods are as follows: The program has a built-in host computer program that allows users to set blanks and samples. When a blank is set for a specific well, the instrument automatically performs spectral analysis on the cuvette at the target well and saves the spectrum as a blank. When the user sets another well as a sample, the instrument automatically performs spectral analysis on the newly set target well and saves the absorbance spectrum. With the blank spectrum and absorbance spectrum, the instrument can calculate the absorbance spectrum. This method only requires blank testing on one well, while samples can be added to the remaining wells; hence, it is called single-blank.

[0082] Similarly, when a user performs a blank test on the same well (e.g., adds 80 μL of water), and then adds a sample to the same well (adding 20 μL 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, where each well has its own blank, is called multiple blank.

Claims

1. A multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer characterized in that: The light path system inside the spectrophotometer, the scanning system, and the electric control system including the host computer control system; The light path system is used for controlling the xenon lamp light source (3) and the calibration light path, so that the light of the light source passes through the special cuvette (1) at the cuvette holder (2) to reach the spectrometer connected with the host computer control system, the scanning system scans multiple special cuvettes through the automatic auxiliary light path system, the cuvette holder is provided with multiple hole positions in a fixed interval manner at the same height and the same axial direction, and the special cuvette used for detection is placed in the hole position, The light path includes a light collimation detection system, and the host computer control system performs automatic initial hole position self-calibration to accurately position the special cuvette in the center of the light path for subsequent detection work when detecting the sample in the special cuvette; The detection mode of the spectrophotometer includes single-blank detection or multiple-blank detection; The method for the host computer control system to perform automatic initial hole position self-calibration is as follows: the host computer performs high-frequency sampling, when the cuvette holder carrying the special cuvette moves through the light collimation detection system, the arc 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, and there is only one highest peak value; 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, and the positioning of the hole position of the cuvette holder is completed; The special cuvette is a cylindrical cuvette, the special cuvette is loaded with water or buffer with weak absorbance, and when the special cuvette sequentially passes through the light collimation detection system, the arc surface of the cuvette causes the test spectrum signal received by the host computer to change, that is, first from weak to strong, with a span from several tens of pulses to a peak value of 50-60 thousand pulses, and then from strong to weak, that is, from a peak value of 50-60 thousand pulses to several tens of pulses, and the whole change is symmetrical; The light path system includes a special cuvette and a light collimation detection system, the special cuvette is used for containing a sample to be detected, the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the special cuvette includes a circle, a square, and an ellipse, and the optical path length ranges from 3 mm 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, the collimation module housing (6) is provided with a front collimation screw hole (7) and a rear collimation screw hole (8), the xenon lamp light source is connected to the front collimation screw hole through an incident optical fiber (4), the rear collimation screw hole is connected to the spectrometer (9) through an emission optical fiber (5), and the light path center of the front and rear collimation screw holes is provided with a cuvette holder; After the optical fiber passes through the front and rear collimation screw holes for calibration, the axial directions of the incident optical fiber and the emission optical fiber are collinear, the axial direction of the optical fiber is perpendicular to the surface of the cuvette, and the ends of the emission optical fiber and the incident optical fiber are close to but not in contact with the cuvette holder.

2. The multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein: The method of single-blank detection and multi-blank detection is that the program of the upper computer control system is built-in with an upper computer program for setting blank and sample by the user. When a hole position is set as blank, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the cuvette of the target hole position and saves the blank spectrum. When another hole position is set as sample, the spectrophotometer automatically performs spectral detection on the newly set target hole position and saves the absorbance spectrum. The spectrophotometer calculates the absorbance spectrum from the blank spectrum and the absorbance spectrum, When single-blank detection is performed, only one hole position of the cuvette holder needs to be tested for blank, and the remaining holes of the cuvette holder are directly added with samples. When multi-blank detection is performed, the user first tests the same hole position of the cuvette holder for blank to obtain a blank spectrum, then adds a sample to the hole, sets the instrument to test the sample for the same hole position, and obtains an absorbance spectrum for the same hole position, so that each hole position of the cuvette holder has a corresponding blank spectrum.

3. The multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein: The electric control system controls and processes the results of the optical path system and the scanning system through the human-computer interaction interface of the upper computer control system.

4. The multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein: The scanning system includes a mechanical transmission mechanism, and the cuvette holder is connected to the mechanical transmission mechanism in a detachable structure. The detachable structure includes a positioning groove at the bottom of the cuvette holder for easy disassembly. 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 stepper motor (10), a lead screw (11), a sliding block (12), and a cuvette holder base (15). The lead screw is threadedly connected to the sliding block, and the sliding block is fixedly connected to the cuvette holder base. Under the drive of the stepper motor, the lead screw rotates to drive the sliding block and the cuvette holder base to move along the axial direction of the lead screw, thereby driving the cuvette holder with the special cuvette.

5. The multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein: The electric control system includes the overall circuit connected to the optical path system and the scanning system, and the upper computer control system equipped with a command sending and result analyzing function. The human-computer interaction interface of the upper computer control system is used to accept the instructions of the operator and send the 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 light path center of the light collimation detection system. 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 upper computer control system for data processing through the data transmission circuit, and the detection results are displayed on the human-computer interaction interface.

6. The multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer according to claim 1, wherein: The cuvette hole positions of the cuvette holder are equally spaced, and the light transmission hole cross section in the same direction as the cuvette hole position is circular. The diameter of the light transmission hole is smaller than the diameter of the special cuvette. During detection, the liquid level in the cuvette is higher than the top of the light transmission hole. The positioning groove and the positioning steel ball are matched and embedded between the cuvette holder and the cuvette holder base. The assembled cuvette holder and the stepper motor lead screw at the bottom thereof are parallel. A rectangular shell is provided outside the scanning system, and the scanning system and the shell are fixed by screws. An optical cover is provided outside the collimation detection system, and the optical cover and the shell are fixed by screws.

7. A method of operation of a multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer using the multi-channel automated UV-Visible spectrophotometer of claim 1, characterized in that: The method includes the following steps: Step S1, the human-computer interaction interface of the host computer control system receives the initial self-calibration instruction issued by the operator, the system automatically performs hole self-calibration and accurately positions the cuvette at the center of the light path to prepare for the subsequent detection process; Step S2, during the detection process, the sample concentration is detected by two methods, specifically: The first detection method: single blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent in a specially designed cuvette, and the remaining cuvettes are loaded with samples to be tested. The host computer control system receives the single blank control detection instruction, the system controls the scanning system and the light path system to distinguish the blank reagent and the sample cuvette, and automatically positions the cuvette for blank and sample spectrophotometric detection. The detection results are received by the host computer control system and processed for absorbance, and the detection results are displayed in real time on the human-computer interaction interface; The second detection method: independent blank control detection, the operator adds blank reagent in each specially designed cuvette as an independent blank control. The host computer control system receives the independent blank control detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the light path system to automatically position the specially designed 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 specially designed cuvette containing the blank reagent for sample dilution. The host computer control system receives the subsequent spectrophotometric detection instruction, controls the scanning system and the light path system to automatically position the cuvette containing the sample to be tested to complete the detection of the diluted sample, and displays the detection results in real time on the human-computer interaction interface.

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