Absorbance detection instrument using containers with different shapes and volumes as cuvettes

Abstract

The utility model discloses an absorbance detection instrument using containers with different shapes and volumes as cuvettes, which relates to the field of rapid detection, and comprises a shell, a detection control module and a sample optical detection module, the sample optical detection module comprises a shell, the top of the shell is provided with a first sample clamping groove and a second sample clamping groove, and the first sample clamping groove and the second sample clamping groove are communicated with each other. The first sample clamping groove is of a conical structure, the wall face of the second sample clamping groove is defined by an arc-shaped wall face and a plane with the included angle of 90 degrees, and a light path is arranged on the shell and penetrates through the first sample clamping groove and the second sample clamping groove. A conventional square cuvette, a cylindrical test tube, a centrifugal tube, a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tube and other transparent containers can be used as cuvettes for absorbance detection, so that the detection requirements of various samples are better met, the analysis operation is more efficient, the result is more reliable, and the detection cost is lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of rapid detection, in particular to an absorbance detection instrument which utilizes containers of different shapes and volumes as colorimetric vessels. Background Art

[0002] Colorimetry is a method that utilizes the characteristic of sample liquid selectively absorbing light of a specific wavelength, and determines the absorbance according to the Lambert-Beer law to achieve quantitative detection of specific components in the sample liquid. It has wide applications in the fields of food, medical and environment. The key to using colorimetry to achieve quantitative detection of sample liquid components is to determine the absorbance, and the conventional instrument used is a spectrophotometer. The sample to be analyzed is usually first placed in a container, such as a 10mL test tube, a centrifuge tube, a 0.2mL PCR tube, etc. Since the cuvette holder of the spectrophotometer is only suitable for placing a certain transparent container of a specific shape, usually a square cuvette with an optical path of 1 cm, the above test tubes, centrifuge tubes, and PCR tubes cannot be used directly for absorbance detection during detection. It is necessary to first transfer an appropriate amount of the sample liquid to be tested into the cuvette, and then place the cuvette into the spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance of the sample liquid at a specific wavelength, and finally obtain the content information of the substance to be measured. It can be seen that the existing absorbance measurement instruments have the following areas for improvement: (1) The operation steps are complicated. The sample liquid must be drawn from the container containing the test liquid and transferred to the cuvette before it can be tested, which increases the number of steps in the entire test; (2) Reagent leakage. Some sample liquids contain toxic and volatile reagents. Opening the reaction tube to transfer the sample liquid to the cuvette can easily cause the leakage of harmful reagents. In addition, the cuvette does not have a sealed cover, which will cause continuous leakage during the test, polluting the instrument and the environment, and endangering human health; (3) Sample contamination. When taking the sample to be tested, the lid of the container such as the test tube or centrifuge tube must be opened, so the sample liquid will come into contact with the ambient air. There are a large number of microorganisms in the air, and there is a risk that the sample liquid itself will be contaminated, which will make the subsequent test results unreliable, especially for microbial-related tests; (4) Opening the lid may cause some components in the sample liquid to diffuse into the environment and cause contamination. These components are non-toxic in themselves, but they will contaminate the laboratory air, operating table, subsequent samples, etc., resulting in false positive results; (5) Small volume samples are difficult to detect. A conventional cuvette with a 1cm optical path requires about 3mL of sample liquid, but some samples are expensive or difficult to obtain, and the volume of the test liquid is only tens of microliters, which is far less than the volume required for detection. Although ultra-micro cuvettes can be used for analysis, they are expensive, and the instruments produced by different spectrophotometer manufacturers may have different detection beam heights, so matching cuvettes must be used, which leads to the problem that different cuvettes are not universal. In addition, the internal space of ultra-micro cuvettes is narrow, and it is more difficult to clean after use than conventional cuvettes. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model provides an absorbance detection instrument which utilizes containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes, and can use conventional square cuvettes, cylindrical test tubes and centrifuge tubes, PCR tubes and other transparent containers as cuvettes to perform absorbance detection, thereby better meeting the detection needs of various samples, making the analysis operation more efficient, the results more reliable and the detection cost lower.

[0004] The utility model is realized through the following technical solutions.

[0005] The invention discloses an absorbance detection instrument which uses containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes, comprising a shell and a detection control module, and also comprising a sample optical detection module. The sample optical detection module comprises a shell, a first sample card slot and a second sample card slot are arranged on the top of the shell, the first sample card slot is a conical structure, the wall surface of the second sample card slot is surrounded by an arc wall surface and a plane with an angle of 90 degrees, and a light path is arranged on the shell, and the light path penetrates the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot.

[0006] Furthermore, the arc-shaped wall surface and the plane surface each include four groups, and the wall surface of the second sample slot is formed by alternating arc-shaped wall surfaces and plane surfaces.

[0007] Furthermore, the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot are arranged side by side, and the light path linearly penetrates the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot; or, the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot each have a light path penetrating therethrough.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0009] 1. The utility model can adapt to the detection of samples of different volumes, has good versatility and is easy to use. The volume of the sample to be tested may be between tens of microliters and tens of milliliters. The utility model can use conventional cuvettes, PCR tubes, centrifuge tubes or test tubes and other transparent containers of different specifications as cuvettes. Therefore, when preparing the sample to be tested, a suitable container can be selected in advance according to the volume of the sample liquid to be tested, and it can be used as a cuvette to better adapt to the detection of sample liquids of different volumes.

[0010] 2. The utility model can reduce the operation steps, make the operation simpler, save time, and improve the detection and analysis efficiency. The samples to be tested are usually first contained in containers such as centrifuge tubes and test tubes, and then transferred to the cuvette during detection. The utility model can directly use containers such as centrifuge tubes and test tubes as cuvettes, avoiding the step of transferring the sample liquid to the cuvette, making the analysis operation steps fewer and the operation simpler. The cuvette needs to be cleaned before it can be used again, which increases the workload of detection. The utility model directly uses the container containing the sample as the cuvette, avoiding the step of cleaning the cuvette, saving time, and improving efficiency.

[0011] 3. Save reagents and samples, and reduce detection costs. When samples are difficult to obtain or costly, or colorimetric reagents are expensive, reducing the volume of the test liquid will help reduce costs. The utility model can directly use a 0.2 ml PCR tube as a sample container, using less sample liquid to complete absorbance analysis, thereby reducing detection costs. In addition, if the sample needs to be processed for the next step after the measurement, it can avoid sample loss caused by sample adhesion to the cuvette, pipette tip, etc. when using a conventional cuvette.

[0012] 4. Make the detection operation simpler, safer, and the results more reliable. Some colorimetric analyses require the use of highly toxic organic reagents. For example, the detection of some heavy metal ions requires the use of chloroform or tetrachloromethane. The use of conventional open cuvettes can easily lead to the diffusion of toxic and harmful reagents. Secondly, some components in the sample can easily diffuse into the environment, resulting in false positives in subsequent detection. The utility model can use sealed containers with lids such as PCR tubes and centrifuge tubes as cuvettes, so that the sample liquid is always in a closed environment and does not contact the outside world, effectively avoiding the above problems.

[0013] 5. The instrument provided by the utility model is easy to use and can better adapt to detection under outdoor conditions. The utility model can use sealed containers with lids such as PCR amplification tubes, centrifuge tubes and test tubes as cuvettes, so there is no need to place samples on a very flat operating table. When placing samples into the instrument or taking them out, even if the container is tipped over, there will be no problems such as leakage or spillage of conventional cuvettes. There is also no need to worry about the risk of dust, weeds, etc. falling into the cuvette and contaminating the sample liquid to be tested, and it can meet the use requirements under complex and harsh conditions in the field. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sample optical detection module of the utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a top view of the sample optical detection module of the utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 It is a side view of the sample optical detection module of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 It is a top view of the second sample card slot of the utility model.

[0018] Reference numerals: housing 1 , first sample card slot 2 , second sample card slot 3 , light passage 4 , arc-shaped wall surface 31 , plane surface 32 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following is a further description of the structures involved in the present invention or the technical terms used. These descriptions are merely examples of how the present invention is implemented and do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0020] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the position or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc., are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, "connection", "fixation" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fixation" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0022] like Figure 1-4 As shown, an absorbance detection instrument using containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes includes a shell and a detection control module, and also includes a sample optical detection module. The sample optical detection module includes a shell 1, and a first sample card slot 2 and a second sample card slot 3 are arranged on the top of the shell 1. The first sample card slot 2 is a conical structure, and the wall surface of the second sample card slot 3 is surrounded by an arc wall surface and a plane with an angle of 90°. A light path 4 is arranged on the shell 1, and the light path 4 penetrates the first sample card slot 2 and the second sample card slot 3.

[0023] The first sample slot 2 is a conical structure, and the PCR tube can be directly inserted into the first sample slot 2 as a cuvette to measure the absorbance of the trace sample liquid in the tube. The wall surface of the second sample slot 3 is alternately surrounded by arc-shaped walls and planes with an angle of 90°. The space surrounded by the arc-shaped structure can accommodate cylindrical containers such as centrifuge tubes or test tubes, and the space formed by the plane group with an angle of 90° can accommodate conventional square cuvettes, square containers, etc. When measuring the sample, the container containing the sample to be tested is placed in a suitable sample slot, and the incident light enters from the light path 4 on one side and is absorbed by the sample liquid in the slot, and the unabsorbed transmitted light is emitted from the other side.

[0024] As an optional embodiment, the arc-shaped wall surface 31 and the plane surface 32 each include four groups, and the wall surface of the second sample slot 3 is formed by alternating arc-shaped wall surfaces 31 and plane surfaces 32, see Figure 4 The plane 32 with an included angle of 90° is formed by two planes of the same length intersecting vertically, and the radius of the arc-shaped wall 31 and the length of the plane 32 are designed according to actual needs.

[0025] As an optional embodiment, the first sample card slot 2 and the second sample card slot 3 are arranged side by side, and the light path 4 is arranged on the side of the housing 1, and linearly passes through the first sample card slot 2 and the second sample card slot 3. Alternatively, the first sample card slot 2 and the second sample card slot 3 each have a light path 4 passing through them.

[0026] As an optional embodiment, the detection control module includes a light source, a photosensor and an analog-to-digital converter, a control chip, a display screen, a button, a power supply, and an instrument switch. The light source emits light, which first enters from the light path 4 on one side of the sample optical detection module, and the transmitted light absorbed by the sample is emitted from the other side. The control chip uses the photosensor and the mode converter to obtain the transmitted light intensity signal, and calculates the absorbance according to the Lambert-Beer law, and then outputs the result to the display screen. The principle and structure of the detection control module belong to the prior art and are not described here. The detection control module and the sample optical detection module are placed in a shell, and the light source, the photosensor and the analog-to-digital converter, the control chip, the power supply, etc. are placed in the shell, and the display screen, the button, the instrument switch, etc. are arranged on the surface of the shell.

[0027] Specifically, the detection control module uses a white light-emitting diode as a light source, uses an AS7343 spectral sensor with integrated photosensor and analog-to-digital conversion functions to measure the intensity of transmitted light, uses a single-chip microcomputer as a control chip, an LCD screen to display the results, uses a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and a charge and discharge control circuit board as a power source, and uses buttons to control absorbance zeroing and detection wavelength setting.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for those skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments or to replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An absorbance detection instrument using containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes, comprising a housing and a detection control module, characterized in that: It also includes a sample optical detection module, which includes a shell, a first sample card slot and a second sample card slot are arranged on the top of the shell, the first sample card slot is a conical structure, the wall surface of the second sample card slot is surrounded by an arc wall surface and a plane with an angle of 90°, and a light path is arranged on the shell, and the light path penetrates the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot.

2. The absorbance detection instrument using containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc-shaped wall surface and the plane surface each include four groups, and the wall surface of the second sample slot is formed by alternating arc-shaped wall surfaces and plane surfaces.

3. The absorbance detection instrument using containers of different shapes and volumes as cuvettes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first sample card slot and the second sample card slot are arranged side by side, and the light path linearly penetrates the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot; or, the first sample card slot and the second sample card slot each have a light path penetrating therethrough.

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