Apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus comprising: an injection unit that injects incident light into an optical window for spectrum detection of a flow cell; a detection unit that detects detected light from the optical window in response to the incidence of the incident light; and a calculation unit that calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light. The present invention also provides a method comprising injecting incident light into an optical window for spectrum detection of a flow cell; detecting detected light from the optical window in response to the incidence of the incident light; and calculating at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 etc. describe a flow cell having a quartz window. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-520298 Patent Document 2 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-500586 Patent Document 3 International Publication No. 2012 / 157052 Patent Document 4 International Publication No. 2023 / 189627

Summary of the Invention

[0003] <00​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​(6) In the apparatus of (5) above, the incident light may be incident on the main surface of the optical window in an oblique or perpendicular direction.

[0009] (7) In any of the devices described in (1) to (6) above, the incident unit may have an incident polarizer that polarizes the incident light and causes it to enter the optical window, and the detection unit may have a detection polarizer that allows detection light from the optical window to pass through.

[0010] (8) In the apparatus of (7) above, the detection polarizer may have a transmission axis in a different direction from that of the incident polarizer.

[0011] (9) In any of the apparatuses described in (1) to (8) above, the calculation unit may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light corresponding to the distortion of the optical window.

[0012] (10) In any of the apparatuses described in (1) to (9) above, the flow cell has a first optical window and a second optical window for spectral detection joined to both end faces of the cell body of the flow cell, the incident unit incident light into the first optical window and the second optical window, the detection unit detects a first detection light and a second detection light from the first optical window and the second optical window, and the calculation unit may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the first detection light and the second detection light.

[0013] (11) In the apparatus of (10) above, the first optical window and the second optical window respectively close the first opening and the second opening formed on both end faces of the cell body, the first opening and the second opening have different inner diameters, and the calculation unit may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the difference between the feature quantity of the first detected light and the feature quantity of the second detected light.

[0014] (12) A second embodiment of the present invention provides a method comprising: injecting incident light into an optical window for spectral detection of a flow cell; detecting detection light from the optical window in response to the incidence of the incident light; and calculating at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detection light.

[0015] (13) In a third aspect of the present invention, a program is provided which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to incident light into an optical window for spectral detection of a flow cell, to detect detection light from the optical window in response to the incident light, and to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detection light.

[0016] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of System 10 is shown. [Figure 2] A more detailed configuration example of the measuring device 200 in this embodiment is shown. [Figure 3] A first configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 4] A second configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 5] A third configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment is shown. [Figure 6] Another example of the first optical window 120a is shown. [Figure 7] Another example of the first optical window 120a is shown. [Figure 8] Examples of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part are shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the system 10 of the present embodiment together with the XYZ axes. The system 10 measures at least one of the temperature or the internal pressure of the flow path 135 (shown by a broken line). The system 10 includes a flow cell 100 and a measuring device 200. The X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction in the figure may be orthogonal to each other, and indicate directions common to the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis in other figures, respectively.

[0020] The flow cell 100 may be used for various analyses using light on the sample 20. The flow cell 100 may be a hollow member that houses the sample 20 inside. The sample 20 may be flowed through the internal flow path 135 of the flow cell 100, and at least a part of the region has light transmittance so that light passes through the flow path 135. The sample 20 may be a fluid flowing through the flow cell 100, and may be a liquid or a gas.

[0021] The flow cell 100 may be connected to a flow synthesis device (for example, a micro flow reactor, etc.) not shown that generates an object such as a peptide by flowing a sample 20 obtained by mixing a plurality of types of raw materials through the flow cell 100 by flow synthesis or the like, or may be a part of the flow synthesis device. The flow synthesis device can control a pump that supplies the sample 20 to the flow path 135 and a heater that adjusts the temperature of the flow path 135 according to the measurement result of the measuring device 200, and adjust at least one of the temperature or the internal pressure of the flow path 135 to a target value.

[0022] The flow cell 100 has a cell main body 110, a first optical window 120a, and a second optical window 120b. The cell main body 110 has a flow path 135 formed inside. The cell main body 110 includes a block 130, a first connection portion 140, and a second connection portion 145.

[0023] Block 130 is formed of at least one of metal or resin and may, for example, have a hexahedral shape. The flow path 135 may be a through hole formed from at least one face of block 130 through to the other face. Block 130 has first openings 150a and second openings 150b on both end faces facing each other in the Z-axis direction, and third openings 160a and fourth openings 160b on both end faces facing each other in the Y-axis direction. The first opening 150a, second opening 150b, third opening 160a, and fourth opening 160b may be connected to the flow path 135 within block 130.

[0024] The first connection part 140 may be a tubular member formed of at least one of metal or resin. The first connection part 140 is connected to a third opening 160a, which is the inlet of the flow path 135 in the block 130, and the sample 20 may flow into the flow path 135 in the block 130 via the first connection part 140. The second connection part 145 may be a tubular member formed of at least one of metal or resin. The second connection part 145 is connected to a fourth opening 160b, which is the outlet of the flow path 135 in the block 130, and the sample 20 may flow out from the flow path 135 in the block 130 to the second connection part 145. The flow cell 100 may be connected to the flow path of the flow synthesizer via the first connection part 140 and the second connection part 145. Note that the cell body 110 is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 1, and for example, the whole may be a combination of tubular members forming the flow path 135.

[0025] The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may be spectral detection windows joined to both end faces of the cell body 110. The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may be joined so as to close the first opening 150a and the second opening 150b formed on both end faces of the cell body 110. The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may seal the first opening 150a and the second opening 150b. The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may each be made of a light-transmitting glass material such as quartz, a crystalline material such as sapphire, or a resin such as polycarbonate. The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may each have a circular, a circular with both ends cut off, or a polygonal shape on a plane (hereinafter also called the main plane) parallel to the end faces of the cell body 110 to which they are joined. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b each show an example where the main surface in the XY plane parallel to the end face of the cell body 110 to be joined is circular. In this case, the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may each be cylindrical in shape with thickness in the Z-axis direction.

[0026] The first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b may be used to analyze the reaction state of the sample 20 by detecting a fluid spectrum from light irradiated onto the sample 20 using a spectrometer (not shown, for example, a Raman spectrometer, near-infrared spectrometer, infrared spectrometer, ultraviolet spectrometer, fluorescence spectrometer, or visible spectrometer). The spectrometer may, for example, detect the fluid spectrum by spectroscopy from light incident on the main surface of the first optical window 120a, passing through the sample 20 in the flow channel 135 and detected from the second optical window 120b. In this embodiment, the measuring device 200 can use such optical windows 120 for spectrum detection to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100.

[0027] The measuring device 200 measures at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100. The measuring device 200 directs incident light into at least one of the first optical window 120a or the second optical window 120b (hereinafter also simply referred to as optical window 120), and measures at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100 from the detection result of the detected light detected in response to the incident light (for example, at least one of the reflected light from optical window 120 or the transmitted light from optical window 120).

[0028] Figure 2 shows a more detailed configuration example of the measuring device 200 in this embodiment. The measuring device 200 has an injection unit 210, a detection unit 220, and a calculation unit 230.

[0029] The incident unit 210 directs incident light into at least one of the first optical window 120a or the second optical window 120b. The incident unit 210 may direct ultraviolet light, visible light, near-infrared light, infrared light, or terahertz light into the optical window 120 as incident light. The incident unit 210 may direct the incident light from the main surface of the optical window 120. The incident unit 210 may direct the incident light obliquely or perpendicularly to the main surface of the optical window 120. The incident unit 210 may direct the incident light emitted from the light source into the optical window 120 in such a way that it does not enter the flow path 135 of the flow cell 100 along the flow direction of the flow path 135.

[0030] The detection unit 220 detects detection light from the optical window 120 in response to the incidence of incident light. The detection unit 220 may receive detection light that has been reflected or transmitted by the optical window 120 into which the incident light was received. The detection unit 220 may supply a signal corresponding to the detection light to the calculation unit 230.

[0031] The calculation unit 230 is connected to the detection unit 220. Based on the detected light, the calculation unit 230 calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100. The calculation unit 230 may calculate characteristic quantities of the detected light and calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 from these characteristic quantities. For example, the calculation unit 230 may use the photoelastic effect to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 from characteristic quantities corresponding to the strain of the optical window 120. Here, the characteristic quantities of the detected light may include at least one of the intensity, spectrum, refractive index, birefringence, transmittance, absorptance, reflectance, or stress on the optical window 120.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a first configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment. The measuring device 200 of the first configuration example uses the first optical window 120a to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135.

[0033] The incident section 210 includes a light source 212 and an incident polarizer 214. The light source 212 may emit light to cause incident light to enter at least one of the first optical window 120a or the second optical window 120b. The light source 212 may be a laser light source such as an Ar laser, or it may be an LED or a tungsten lamp, for example.

[0034] The incident polarizer 214 may polarize the incident light emitted from the light source 212 and direct it into the optical window 120. The incident polarizer 214 may be positioned in the optical path between the light source 212 and the optical window 120. The incident polarizer 214 may be positioned away from the flow cell 100 or in contact with the flow cell 100. The incident polarizer 214 may transmit light emitted from the light source 212 whose polarization direction is the same as the transmission axis of the incident polarizer 214 (for example, linearly polarized light that vibrates in the direction of the transmission axis) and direct it into the optical window 120 as incident light. Note that the incident unit 210 does not necessarily have a light source 212 and an incident polarizer 214, and may control an external light source or the like to direct incident light into the optical window 120.

[0035] The detection unit 220 includes a detection polarizer 222 and a light receiver 224. The detection polarizer 222 may be received by the light receiver 224 through detection light emitted from the optical window 120. The detection polarizer 222 may be positioned in the optical path between the optical window 120 and the light receiver 224. The detection polarizer 222 may be positioned away from the flow cell 100 or in contact with the flow cell 100. The detection polarizer 222 may transmit light from the optical window 120 whose polarization direction is the same as the transmission axis of the detection polarizer 222 (i.e., linearly polarized light that vibrates in the direction of the transmission axis) and receive it at the light receiver 224. The detection polarizer 222 may have a transmission axis in a different direction from that of the incident polarizer 214. The detection polarizer 222 may, for example, have a transmission axis perpendicular to the transmission axis of the incident polarizer 214. This allows the measuring device 200 to calculate characteristic quantities (such as birefringence) of the detected light.

[0036] The light receiver 224 receives the detection light that has passed through the detection polarizer 222 and may supply a signal corresponding to the detection light (for example, a signal indicating the intensity of the detection light or a signal indicating the spectrum of the detection light) to the calculation unit 230. The light receiver 224 is, for example, a photodiode or a phototransistor. The detection unit 220 does not necessarily have a detection polarizer 222 and a light receiver 224, and may detect the detection light by controlling an external light receiver or the like.

[0037] Next, the measurement operation of the measuring device 200 for at least one of the pressure or temperature of the sample 20 flowing in the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100 will be described. During the measurement operation, the sample 20 is flowing in the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100. As an example, the measuring device 200 directs incident light into the first optical window 120a and uses the detected light emitted from the first optical window 120a to calculate at least one of the pressure or temperature.

[0038] The incident unit 210 directs incident light emitted from the light source 212 and polarized by the incident polarizer 214 into the optical window 120. The incident unit 210 may direct the incident light so that it does not pass through the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100. For example, the incident unit 210 may direct the incident light obliquely or perpendicularly to the main surface of the optical window 120 so that it is reflected around the opening at the end face of the cell body 110. This allows the emitted detection light to be detected with as little influence as possible from the reaction state of the sample 20 in the flow channel 135, and by directing the incident light near the opening, distortion of the optical window 120 due to pressure and temperature in the flow channel 135 can be efficiently detected. In the example in Figure 3, the incident unit 210 directs the incident light to the main surface of the optical window 120 at an α degree (0° < α < 90°).

[0039] The detection unit 220 receives the detection light emitted from the optical window 120 in response to the incident light, via the detection polarizer 222 to the photodetector 224. The photodetector 224 may supply a signal corresponding to the received detection light to the calculation unit 230.

[0040] The incident light in the incident unit 210 may be directed perpendicular to the main surface of the optical window 120 so that it passes through the flow path 135. In this case, the detection unit 220 can detect the reflected light from the optical window 120 into which the incident light was directed as the detected light.

[0041] The calculation unit 230 may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 based on the characteristic quantities of the detected light corresponding to the distortion of the optical window 120 caused by the sample 20 flowing through the flow path 135. As an example, the calculation unit 230 obtains an interference fringe pattern or intensity change from the detected light and calculates the amount of birefringence of the optical window 120. The calculation unit 230 may use a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the amount of birefringence of the optical window 120 and at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 from the calculated amount of birefringence. The function or lookup table may be determined in advance by experiment or simulation regarding the relationship between at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 and the amount of birefringence of the optical window 120 under the same conditions as the flow cell 100 (conditions in which the optical window 120 of the same shape and material has an opening of the same size that is sealed).

[0042] Furthermore, the calculation unit 230 may similarly calculate the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 using a set value (set temperature or set internal pressure) or a measured value (measured temperature or measured internal pressure) detected by a sensor, and the other internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 using a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the birefringence and the internal pressure and temperature of the flow path 135. For example, the calculation unit 230 may calculate the internal pressure from the birefringence, the birefringence calculated using a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the birefringence, the temperature inside the flow path 135, and the internal pressure, and the measured temperature.

[0043] Furthermore, the calculation unit 230 may calculate the internal pressure and temperature of the channel 135 using the relationship between the combination of internal pressure and temperature of the channel 135 and the feature quantities of the detected light. For example, the calculation unit 230 may use a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the combination of temperature and internal pressure and the feature quantities of the detected light to calculate the combination of temperature and internal pressure corresponding to the feature quantities whose difference from the feature quantities calculated from the detected light is less than a predetermined threshold, as the internal pressure and temperature of the channel 135. The function or lookup table may be determined in advance by experiment or simulation regarding the relationship between the combination of internal pressure and temperature of the channel 135 under the same conditions as the flow cell 100 and the amount of birefringence of the detected light.

[0044] Thus, the measuring device 200 of this embodiment can efficiently calculate the temperature and internal pressure in the flow channel 135 from the distortion of the optical window 120 caused by the sample 20 in the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a second configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment. The measuring device 200 of the second configuration example has the same configuration as the measuring device 200 of the first configuration example and may operate in the same manner, except that it calculates temperature and internal pressure from detection light transmitted through the side of the optical window 120. In the measuring device 200 of the second configuration example, the optical window 120 is positioned between the incident unit 210 and the detection unit 220.

[0046] The incident light may be incident from the side of the optical window 120. The incident light may be incident in a direction along the main surface of the optical window 120 or in a direction perpendicular to the side of the optical window 120 (in the Y-axis direction in Figure 4). The incident light may be incident in such a way that it passes through a region on the first aperture 150a in the optical window 120 (for example, within the first optical window 120a, the region above the center of the first aperture 150a).

[0047] The detection unit 220 may receive detection light that has passed through the optical window 120 in response to the incidence of incident light. The detection unit 220 may also receive detection light emitted from the side of the optical window 120 opposite to the side into which the incident light enters. The light receiver 224 may supply a signal corresponding to the received detection light to the calculation unit 230.

[0048] The calculation unit 230 may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the channel 135 based on the characteristic quantity of the detected light corresponding to the distortion of the optical window 120 caused by the sample 20 flowing through the channel 135. The calculation unit 230 may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the channel 135, similar to the first configuration example.

[0049] In this embodiment, the measuring device 200 receives incident light from the side of the optical window 120, allowing for accurate calculation of the temperature and internal pressure within the flow path 135 from the detection light, which is less affected by the distortion of the optical window 120.

[0050] Figure 5 shows a third configuration example of the measuring device 200 of this embodiment. The measuring device 200 of the third configuration example has the same configuration as the measuring device 200 of the first configuration example and may operate in the same manner, except that the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b are used to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135. The first opening 150a and the second opening 150b of the cell body 110 may have different inner diameters. The first opening 150a may have an inner diameter n, and the second opening 150b may have an inner diameter m (for example, n > m).

[0051] The measuring device 200 includes a first incident section 210a, a second incident section 210b, a first detection section 220a, and a second detection section 220b. The first incident section 210a and the second incident section 210b may incident light onto the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b, respectively. The first incident section 210a and the second incident section 210b each have the same configuration as the incident section 210 of the first or second configuration example and may operate similarly. The first incident section 210a may incident first incident light onto the main surface or side surface of the first optical window 120a. The second incident section 210b may incident second incident light onto the main surface or side surface of the second optical window 120b. The first incident section 210a and the second incident section 210b may, under the same conditions (same type of light source, same incidence conditions), direct the first incident light and the second incident light into the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b, respectively.

[0052] The first detection unit 220a and the second detection unit 220b may detect the first detection light and the second detection light from the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b, respectively. The first detection unit 220a and the second detection unit 220b may each have the same configuration as the detection unit 220 in the first or second configuration example and operate in the same manner. The first detection unit 220a may detect the first detection light from the first optical window 120a in response to the incidence of the first incident light by the first incident unit 210a. The second detection unit 220b may detect the second detection light from the second optical window 120b in response to the incidence of the second incident light by the second incident unit 210b.

[0053] The calculation unit 230 is connected to the first detection unit 220a and the second detection unit 220b. Based on the first detection light and the second detection light, the calculation unit 230 may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100. The calculation unit 230 may calculate the characteristic quantities of the first detection light and the characteristic quantities of the second detection light (for example, the intensity, spectrum, refractive index, birefringence, transmittance, absorptance, reflectance, or at least one of the stress on the optical window 120) and calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100 based on the difference between the characteristic quantities of the first detection light and the characteristic quantities of the second detection light.

[0054] For example, the calculation unit 230 obtains interference fringe patterns or intensity changes from the first and second detected light and calculates the amount of birefringence corresponding to the strain of the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b, respectively. For example, the calculation unit 230 may calculate the stresses on the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b from the amount of birefringence of the first and second detected light, respectively, and calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100 based on the difference between the stress on the first optical window 120a and the stress on the second optical window 120b. For example, the calculation unit 230 may use a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the difference in stresses on the first optical window 120a and the second optical window 120b and at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 from the calculated difference in stresses. The function or lookup table may be determined in advance by experiment or simulation regarding the relationship between at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 and the difference in stress on the optical window 120, under the same conditions as the flow cell 100 used (conditions in which the optical window 120 of the same shape and material has a sealed opening of the same size).

[0055] Furthermore, the calculation unit 230 may use a set value (set temperature or set internal pressure) or a measured value (measured temperature or measured internal pressure) detected by a sensor for either the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135. The calculation unit 230 may similarly calculate the other internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 from the calculated feature quantities using a function or lookup table that shows the relationship between the difference in feature quantities of the first detected light and the second detected light and the internal pressure and temperature of the flow path 135. For example, the calculation unit 230 may calculate the internal pressure from the difference in feature quantities, the temperature inside the flow path 135, the temperature, the difference in feature quantities calculated using a function or lookup table that shows the relationship with the internal pressure, and the measured temperature.

[0056] Furthermore, the calculation unit 230 may calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 from the first detection light and the second detection light, similar to the first or second configuration example. In this case, the calculation unit 230 may use the average value of the internal pressure or temperature calculated from the first detection light and the internal pressure or temperature calculated from the second detection light as the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135.

[0057] Thus, when the first opening 150a and the second opening 150b of the cell body 110 have different inner diameters, a difference arises due to the characteristic quantities of the first and second detected light, resulting in better measurement accuracy. However, even when the first opening 150a and the second opening 150b have the same inner diameter, the measuring device 200 can calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 from the characteristic quantities of the first and second detected light, similar to the third configuration example described above.

[0058] The measuring device 200 of this embodiment can reduce the influence of noise and accurately determine at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 by using feature quantities obtained from the first detection light and the second detection light, respectively.

[0059] Figure 6 shows another example of the first optical window 120a. In Figure 6, the first optical window 120a has a circular shape with both ends cut off in the XY plane parallel to the end face of the cell body 110 to be joined. In the XY plane, the first optical window 120a has an arc portion facing the X direction of the end face of the cell body 110 and a straight portion parallel to the side facing the Y direction of the end face of the cell body 110. The first optical window 120a may be joined to the end face of the cell body 110 such that the center of the first opening 150a of the cell body 110 coincides with the centroid position of the main surface. The second optical window 120b may have a similar shape.

[0060] The measuring device 200 can measure at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow channel 135 of the flow cell 100 using the first optical window 120a as shown in Figure 6, similar to any of the first to third configurations. For example, similar to the second configuration, the measuring device 200 may have an incident unit 210 that incident light from one side of the straight section of the first optical window 120a in the Y direction, and a detection unit 220 that receives detection light emitted from the other side of the straight section of the first optical window 120a. By performing light incidence and detection through the side of the straight section of the optical window 120, the measuring device 200 can detect the characteristic quantities of light with higher accuracy.

[0061] Figure 7 shows another example of the first optical window 120a. In Figure 7, the first optical window 120a has a rectangular shape in the XY plane parallel to the end face of the cell body 110 to which it is joined. The first optical window 120a has sides in the XY plane parallel to each side of the end face of the cell body 110. The first optical window 120a may be joined to the end face of the cell body 110 such that the center of the first opening 150a of the cell body 110 coincides with the centroid position on the main surface. The second optical window 120b may have a similar shape.

[0062] The measuring device 200 can measure at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path 135 of the flow cell 100, using the first optical window 120a as shown in Figure 7, similar to any of the first to third configurations. For example, the measuring device 200 may have an incident unit 210 that brings in incident light in the Y direction from one side of the first optical window 120a, and a detection unit 220 that receives detection light emitted from the other side of the first optical window 120a.

[0063] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where a block may represent (1) a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having the role of performing the operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0064] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0065] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0066] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or another computer, and the computer-readable instructions may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0067] Figure 8 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2200 can cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation or one or more sections of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, or to execute such operation or one or more sections, and / or to cause the computer 2200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform a particular operation associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0068] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0069] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 retrieves image data generated by the CPU 2212 from a frame buffer provided in RAM 2214 or from itself, and displays the image data on the display device 2218.

[0070] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides them to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from the IC card and / or writes programs and data to the IC card.

[0071] The ROM 2230 stores boot programs and / or programs that depend on the computer 2200's hardware, which are executed by the computer 2200 when activated. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0072] The program is provided on a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium and installed on a hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the manipulation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0073] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 2214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 2214, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM 2201, or an IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area provided on the recording medium.

[0074] Furthermore, the CPU 2212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external storage media such as the hard disk drive 2224, DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), or IC card into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes the processed data back to the external storage media.

[0075] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 2212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the condition for which the attribute value of the first attribute is specified, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0076] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on or near computer 2200 on a computer-readable medium. Alternatively, recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable media, thereby providing programs to computer 2200 via the network.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0078] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0080] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1. The 10 Systems 20 samples 100 flow cells 110 Cell Unit 120 Optical windows 120a First optical window 120b Second Optical Window 130 blocks 135 channels 140 First connection section 145 Second connection section 150a 1st opening 150b 2nd opening 160a 3rd opening 160b 4th opening 200 measuring devices 210 Input part 210a 1st entrance section 210b 2nd entrance part 214 Polarizer for incidence 220 Detection unit 220a First detection unit 220b Second detection unit 222 Polarizer for detection 224 Receiver 230 Calculation Unit 2200 Computers 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 Host Controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Devices 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 Communication Interface 2224 Hard Disk Drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 Input / Output Chip 2242 keyboard

Claims

1. An inlet section that directs incident light into the optical window for spectral detection of the flow cell, A detection unit that detects detected light from the optical window in response to the incidence of the incident light, The system includes a calculation unit that calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light. Device.

2. The optical window has a circular shape, a circular shape with both ends cut off, or a polygonal shape. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The incident portion directs the incident light into the optical window so that it does not enter the flow path of the flow cell in the direction of the flow path. The apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The incident portion receives the incident light from the side of the optical window. The apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The incident portion receives the incident light from the main surface of the optical window. The apparatus according to claim 3.

6. The incident portion receives the incident light in an oblique or perpendicular direction to the main surface of the optical window. The apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The incident portion has an incident polarizer that polarizes the incident light and directs it into the optical window. The detection unit has a detection polarizer that allows detection light from the optical window to pass through. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The detection polarizer has a transmission axis in a different direction from the incident polarizer. The apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The calculation unit calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light corresponding to the distortion of the optical window. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The flow cell has a first optical window and a second optical window for spectral detection bonded to both end faces of the cell body of the flow cell, The incident unit directs incident light into the first optical window and the second optical window, respectively. The detection unit detects a first detection light and a second detection light from the first optical window and the second optical window, respectively. The calculation unit calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the first detection light and the second detection light. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. The first optical window and the second optical window respectively close the first opening and the second opening formed on both end faces of the cell body. The first opening and the second opening have different inner diameters. The calculation unit calculates at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the difference between the characteristic quantities of the first detected light and the characteristic quantities of the second detected light. The apparatus according to claim 10.

12. Incident light is directed into the optical window for spectral detection of the flow cell. In response to the incidence of the incident light, the detected light is detected from the optical window, The method comprises calculating at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell based on the detected light. method.

13. When executed by a computer, the computer will Incident light is directed into the optical window for spectral detection of the flow cell, In response to the incidence of the incident light, the detected light is detected from the optical window, Based on the detected light, the system is configured to calculate at least one of the internal pressure or temperature of the flow path of the flow cell. program.

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