Flow-through cuvette creating super thin and asymmetric flows

Abstract

A cuvette is presented, where samples are placed between a first plate and a second plate, and the first plate and the second plate are held and squeezed together by an outer enclosure. This allows the sample to be compressed to a high degree of accuracy. The plates also have openings, which are connected to inlet and outlet tubes to allow samples or other fluids to be introduced between the plates. By manipulating hydraulic pressure across the openings, the sample can be manipulated within the cuvette without the need to disassemble the cuvette. The plates can be curved, allowing the plates to be a lens within the detection system.

Description

Flow-Through Cuvette Creating Super Thin and Asymmetric FlowsINVENTORS: Alexandre DouplikFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to cuvettes, to be used with microscopes, spectrometers and other optical, mechanical or electromagnetic devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cuvettes generally hold soft or liquid samples for measurement by microscopes, spectrometers, and other optical, mechanical, or electromagnetic detection devices.

[0003] Existing cuvettes cannot, to the knowledge of the inventors, change the optical path or, more broadly, change dimensions while holding the sample inside. Even if some cuvettes arguably can change dimensions while holding the sample inside, the change in dimensions is marginal. Also, existing cuvettes usually have parallel walls to maintain constant optical paths and reproducibility of measurements.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention discloses a cuvette that is compatible with microscopes, spectrometers and other optical, mechanical or electromagnetic devices or other detection devices. The cuvette has a flow-through regime and is compatible with fluid and gas pumps. The range of axial thickness of the enclosed sample space (or distance between the plates or walls or optical path) may, for example be within the 1 nm to 10000- micron range. This axial thickness can be changed without disassembling and reassembling the cuvette while holding the sample inside. The axial thickness of the enclosed sample space can be controlled to a high degree of accuracy.

[0005] The cuvette can create an asymmetric flow of radial dimensions versus axial dimensions, for example, of up to a 10000000:1 ratio. The cuvette also allows for the creation of random and periodic structures inside the cuvette for electromagnetic radiation interference, enhancement, or metamaterial properties.

[0006] The plates (or walls) also have openings, which are connected to inlet and outlet tubes to introduce samples or other fluids between the plates. By manipulating hydraulic pressure across the openings, the sample can be manipulated within the cuvette without the need to disassemble the cuvette. The plates can be curved, allowing the plates to be a lens within the detection system. The plates can be made from various materials, including homogeneous and heterogeneous materials such as metamaterials, birefringent materials, and fiberoptic plates.

[0007] The inventive cuvette disclosed herein also allows for the complete disassembling of the cuvette in a single motion for easy washing, cleaning, and maintenance. The disclosed cuvette is also quick and easy to assemble.

[0008] In accord with the present invention, there is provided a kit for assembling a cuvette, comprising: an O-ring or gasket; a first plate with a first surface, the first plate being configured to accommodate the O-ring or gasket; a second plate with a second surface; where the first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; where the first plate and second plate and O-ring or gasket are configured so, when the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate are aligned and the first surface and the second surface are pushed together and compress the O- ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, an enclosed space is created between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface, the first opening being connected to a first tube; and a second opening in either the first surface or the second surface, the second opening being connected to a second tube.

[0009] In an aspect of the invention, the kit further comprises: an enclosure, where the male enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axialdirections of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together.

[0010] In accord with the present invention, there is provided a cuvette, comprising: a first plate with a first surface and a second plate with a second surface and an 0-ring or gasket, the first plate being configured to accommodate the O-ring or gasket, where the first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface; and a second opening in either the first surface or the second surface; where the first opening is connected to a first tube and the second opening is connected to a second tube; the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate being aligned and the first surface and the second surface facing each other, and the first plate and second plate compressing the O-ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, creating an enclosed space between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket.

[0011] In an aspect of the invention, the cuvette further comprises: an enclosure, where the enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axial directions of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together. In another aspect, at least one of the first tube and the second tube are at an angle to the axial direction of the surface of the plate to which they are connected. In still another aspect, there is a central negative spacer in one or both of the first surface and the second surface. In another aspect, the enclosure is configured with markings so the axial thickness of the enclosed space can be adjusted with an accuracy of around + / 1 I nm. In still another aspect, one or both of the first surface and the second surface is curved along its radial dimension.

[0012] In accord with the present invention, there is provided a method of use of a cuvette to analyze a sample, comprising: placing a cuvette into a detection device, the cuvette comprising: a first plate with a first surface and a second plate with a second surface and an O-ring or gasket, the first plate being configured to accommodate the O-ring or gasket, where the first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface; and a secondopening in either the first surface or the second surface; where the first opening is connected to a first tube and the second opening is connected to a second tube; the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate being aligned and the first surface and the second surface facing each other, and the first plate and second plate compressing the O-ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, creating an enclosed space between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket; inserting the sample into the enclosed space through the first tube, and analyzing the sample.

[0013] In an aspect of the invention, the cuvette further comprises: an enclosure, where the enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axial directions of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together. In another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises: attaching at least one of the first tube and the second tube to a means for exerting hydraulic pressure, and manipulating the hydraulic pressure to manipulate the sample within the enclosed space. In still another aspect of the invention, the method further comprises: attaching at least one of the first tube and the second tube to a means for exerting hydraulic pressure, and manipulating the hydraulic pressure to manipulate the sample within the enclosed space. In another aspect, the sample is a living cell. In still another aspect, the first plate and the second plate are further pushed together so as to compress the sample to facilitate a specific analysis of the sample. In still another aspect, the sample is compressed to an axial thickness of between 1 + / 1 10% nanometers to around 10000 + / - 10% microns in the axial direction of the first and second plates.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cuvette;

[0016] Figure 2 is a cross section view of a plate with edge trim and without spacer;

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second plates with sealing Ciring or gasket with upright inlet and outlet tubes and no negative spacer;

[0018] Figure 4 is a cross-section view of a plate with edge trim with a spacer;

[0019] Figure 5A is a photograph of first view of a plate with inlet and outlet tubes;

[0020] Figure 5B is a photograph of a second view of a plate with inlet and outlet tubes;

[0021] Figure 5C is a photograph of a female enclosure;

[0022] Figure 5D is a photograph of a male enclosure;

[0023] Figure 5E is a photograph of a plate without inlet or outlet tubes;

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first plate and a second plate with sealing O-ring and angled inlet and outlet tubes;

[0025] Figure 7 shows an example of a curved plates setup;

[0026] Figure 8 illustrates the flow of a sample between an inlet opening and an outlet opening across an enclosed sample space;

[0027] Figure 9 illustrates the use of hydraulic pressure across multiple inlet and outlet openings to manipulate a sample for analysis; and

[0028] Figure 10 illustrates a plate with a polygon convex-shaped trim edge profile.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The inventive cuvette is illustrated in a perspective view in Figure 1. Turning to Figure 1 , the cuvette contains a first plate 10 of a round shape with a first surface 19, a second plate 12 of a round shape with a second surface 21 , an O-ring or gasket 14 made from flexible / elastic material and placed between these plates. The first plate 10 and second plate 12 are equivalently walls of the sample enclosure space 11 , which is formedby squeezing plate 10 and plate 12 together around O-ring or gasket 14 to form a seal. Enclosure space 11 is formed by first surface 19, second surface 21 , and the O-ring or gasket 14.

[0030] In Figure 1 , the cuvette includes a male enclosure 16 and a female enclosure 18. The squeezing of plates 10 and 12 together is accomplished by screwing male enclosure 16 and a female enclosure 18 together. When this occurs, the axial directions of male enclosure 16, female enclosure 18, first plate 10 and second plate 12 are aligned (the axial direction is indicated by line 25). The axial center 15 of male enclosure 16 is open, and the axial centre 17 of female enclosure 18 is open.

[0031] In these figures, the enclosure is a male and female enclosure that are configured to tighten when screwed or twisted together. This is the preferred embodiment. However, in other embodiments the enclosure is configured to tighten in different ways - for example by turning one or more screws, or manipulating a lever or pushing a button.

[0032] The diameter of the plates 10 and 12 can vary from around 1 mm to many meters, with no upper limit apart from that imposed by the practicality of manufacturing a large flat plate. At the lower limits, the diameter of the plate may limit the size of the openings (or holes or ports) in the plates and tubes attached to the plates (both as described below).

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the plates 10 and 12 are circular in shape; however, while less preferred, they can be any shape that fits for use with a detection device.

[0034] The plates 10 and 12 can be the same or different thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of each plate 10 or 12 can be from around 0.1 mm to around 50 mm. In this paragraph, around means plus or minus 10%.

[0035] As seen in Figure 1 , at least one of plates 10 and 12 contains an inlet opening 20 and an outlet opening 22 which are connected to inlet tube 24 and outlet tube 26. In an alternative embodiment, openings 20 and 22 are one opening. In another alternative, there can be two or more inlet openings and / or two or more outlet openings. It can be one opening combining both inlet and outlet, or two or many openings. In cases with multiple openings, each opening must be attached to a tube. However, there must be atleast one inlet tube and at least one outlet tube. The openings (which can also be called holes or ports) can also be distributed across either or both of plates 10 and 12: for example, inlet opening 20 could be on the plate 10 and outlet opening 22 could be on the plate 12. The inlet and outlet tubes can be made of metal, glass, ceramic or polymer or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes are made from metal.

[0036] The materials of plates 10 and 12 will vary depending upon the detection equipment to be used with the cuvette. Plates 10 and 12 must use transparent materials for certain electromagnetic ranges such as UV and visible and infrared ranges (for example, 300 to 7000 nm). Non-transparent (or transparent) materials may be used for gamma-ray, X-ray, microwave range and radio-wave ranges. Plates 10 and 12 may be made of materials such as glass, silica, quartz, plastic, polymer, metal, ceramic, fiber optic plate, or metamaterials.

[0037] At least one of the plates 10 and 12 has a trimmed edge profile to accommodate the O-ring or gasket. One such embodiment is shown in Figure 2, a cross section view of a plate with edge trim and without spacer. Turning to Figure 2, plate 30 has a corner labelled B-D-C where the angle formed at point D, labelled 0, is between 5 and 120 degrees (5°<0<12O°). This is an edge trimmed profile designed to wear an O-ring or gasket 34 as shown in Fig. 2. The thickness of the O-ring or gasket must be greater than the BD dimension of the edge trimmed profile. In a preferred embodiment, distance AC is around 0.5 mm to around 100 mm, distance CD is around 0.2 mm to around 10 mm, distance BD is around 0.1 mm to around 20 mm. In this paragraph, around means plus or minus 10%. The trim edge of the plates does not have to be round or match the shape of the outer edge of the plate, but the trim edge does have to have a shape that will work with an O-ring (or gasket). An example of a plate with a non-round trim edge is shown below in Figure 10.

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second plates with sealing O- ri ng or gasket with upright inlet and outlet tubes and no negative spacer. T urning to Figure 3, there is a first plate 60 with a first surface 63a with a trim edge 61 and a second plate 62 with a second surface 63b and an O-ring 64. There is an inlet tube 66 connected to aninlet opening or port 65 and an outlet tube 68 connected to an outlet opening or port 67. When plates 60 and 62 and O-ring (or gasket) 64 are placed together, as seen in Figure 3, and plates 60 and 62 are pushed together so as to squeeze O-ring (or gasket) 64 and form a seal, an enclosed sample space 69 is created between surfaces 63a and 63b and the O-ring or gasket 64. In operation in a preferred embodiment, plates 60 and 62 are squeezed together by an enclosure, not illustrated in Figure 3 but one embodiment of an enclosure with a male enclosure and a female enclosure is illustrated in Figure 1. The sample to be analyzed is introduced into enclosed sample space 69 through inlet tube 66. Other useful materials may be introduced through inlet tube 66, and in some cases extracted through outlet tube 68. In other cases, hydraulic pressure may be applied through inlet tube 66 and / or outline tube 68, as described further below.

[0039] The thickness of the enclosed sample space 69 can be regulated by screwing the enclosure to further squeeze plates 60 and 62 and the O-ring (or gasket) 64. In practice, the thickness of the enclosed sample space 69 can be measured by an independent method such as interferometry or holography. In a preferred embodiment, the axial thickness of the enclosed sample space 69 can be controlled by making marks on the enclosure that set out how tightening of the enclosure relates to the axial thickness of the enclosed sample space 69.

[0040] While in Figures 1 through 3 the plate with a trimmed edge to accommodate the O-ring or gasket is illustrated as the second plate, in other embodiments the plate with the trimmed edge could be the first plate, or in yet another embodiment there are trimmed edges on both the first and second plates to accommodate the O-ring or gasket.

[0041] The enclosure design should facilitate the parallel arrangement between the plates keeping the layer thickness even across the enclosed sample space. Specifically and in a preferred embodiment, the enclosure design with male and female enclosures facilitates the parallel arrangement between the plates keeping the layer thickness even across the enclosed sample space. In a preferred embodiment, the axial distance of the enclosed sample space for plates without negative spacers is between 1 nm and 100 mm + / - 1 nm. A person skilled in the art will realize that the practical accuracy of the axial distance ofthe enclosed sample space is dependent upon the quality of the manufacturing and processing of the plates, which in a preferred embodiment can range from 1 / A to A / 500, where A is sampling optical wavelength, often between 400 and 700 nm.

[0042] The thickness of the enclosed sample space can also be affected by having a negative spacer in one of the first or second plates, or both the first and second plates. This is illustrated in Figure 4, a cross-section view of a plate with edge trim with a negative spacer. Turning to Figure 4, there is a plate 40 with a trim edge at corner B-D-C, as also illustrated in Figure 2 and an O-ring 44. Plate 40 also has a centrally located negative spacer 46, a central depressed space. In this embodiment, central means that it is centered on the centre of the plate. In a preferred embodiment the negative spacer extends radially almost to the edge of the plate, although this is not necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the negative spacer has a depth of around 1 nm to around 100 mm. In this paragraph, around means plus or minus 10%.

[0043] In an embodiment of the cuvette using a negative spacer, the enclosed sample space 69 can be set at a high accuracy, in the range of + / - 1 nm. In an embodiment of the cuvette using a negative spacer, the enclosed sample space 69 can be set in the range of 1 nm -100 mm + / - 1 nm.

[0044] While in Figure 4 the negative spacer is illustrated as in the second plate, in other embodiments, the plate with the negative spacer could be the first plate, or in yet another embodiment, there are negative spacers on both the first and second plates.

[0045] One embodiment of the cuvette may be seen in Figures 5A through 5B.

[0046] Figure 5A is a photograph of first view of a plate with inlet and outlet tubes. T urning to Figure 5A, there is a plate 200 with inlet tube 202 and outlet tube 204 and trim edge 206.

[0047] Figure 5B is a photograph of a second view of a plate with inlet and outlet tubes. Turning to Figure 5B, there is the plate 200 with inlet tube 202 and outlet tube 204 and trim edge 206.

[0048] Figure 5C is a photograph of a female enclosure. Turning to Figure 5C, there is a female enclosure 210.

[0049] Figure 5D is a photograph of a male enclosure. Turning to Figure 5D, there is a male enclosure 212.

[0050] Figure 5E is a photograph of a plate without inlet or outlet tubes. Turning to Figure 5E, there is a plate without inlet or outlet tubes 220.

[0051] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first plate and second plate with sealing O-ring (or gasket) and angled inlet and outlet tubes. Turning to Figure 6, there is a first plate 70 with a first surface 73a and a trim edge 71 and a second plate 72 with a second surface 73b and an O-ring or gasket 74. There is an inlet tube 76 connected to an inlet opening or port 75 and an outlet tube 78 connected to an outlet opening or port 77. When plates 70 and 72 and O-ring (or gasket) 74 are placed together, as seen in Figure 6, and plates 70 and 72 are placed together so as to squeeze O-ring (or gasket) 74 and form a seal, an enclosed sample space 79 is created between the first surface 73a, the second surface 73b, and O-ring or gasket 74. In a preferred embodiment, plates 70 and 72 are squeezed together by an enclosure, not illustrated in Figure 6 but one embodiment of an enclosure with a male enclosure and a female enclosure is illustrated in Figure 1. A sample is introduced into enclosed sample space 79 through inlet tube 76. Other useful materials may be introduced through inlet tube 76 and, in some cases, extracted through outlet tube 78. In other cases, hydraulic pressure may be applied through inlet tube 76 and / or outline tube 78, as described further below.

[0052] The plates can be made as flat windows as shown in Figures 1 -6. In other embodiments, the surfaces forming the enclosed sample space can be curved surfaces, either concave or convex. Figure 7 shows an example of a curved plates setup. Turning to Figure 7, there is a first plate with a curved surface 80 and a second plate with a curved surface 82, an O-ring or gasket 84, an inlet tube 86 connected to an inlet opening or port 85 and an outlet tube 88 connected to an outlet opening or port 87. When the plates with surfaces 80 and 82 and O-ring 84 are placed together as seen in Figure 7, and the plates with surfaces 80 and 82 are placed together so as to squeeze O-ring 84 and form a seal,an enclosed sample space 89 is created between curved surface 80 and curved surface 82 and an O-ring or gasket 84. In a preferred embodiment, the plates with surfaces 80 and 82 are squeezed together by an enclosure, not illustrated in Figure 7 but one embodiment of an enclosure with a male enclosure and a female enclosure is illustrated in Figure 1 . A sample is introduced into enclosed sample space 89 though inlet tube 86. Other useful materials may be introduced through inlet tube 86, and in some cases extracted through outlet tube 88. In other cases, hydraulic pressure may be applied through inlet tube 86 and / or outline tube 88, as described further below. Plates with curved surfaces can be useful, for example to make the plates function as a lens - an optical lens or a metamaterial lens. This allows the plates to be an optical element in a detection system.

[0053] Flows inside the cuvette can be facilitated via the inlet and outlet tubes. As would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the inlet and outlet tubes can be connected to flexible tubes such as tubes made from silicon rubber, which in turn can be connected to a pump or a syringe or other means to create a flow. Figure 8 illustrates the flow of a sample between an inlet opening and an outlet opening across an enclosed sample space. Turning to Figure 8, there is a plate (either a first or second plate) 90 with an inlet opening 92 and an outlet opening 94. Assuming pressure is being applied to create a flow (either an input pressure at opening 92 and / or a negative pressure at opening 94), a sample injected through inlet opening 92 will flow to outlet opening 94 along paths roughly indicated by arrows 96.

[0054] In another embodiment, inlet opening 92 and outlet opening 94 are in different plates. In this embodiment, the flow is not flat relative to the surfaces of the plates, but will be angled relative to the surfaces of the plates.

[0055] One of the potential applications of this cuvette is the study of live cells where the cell can be delivered inside the cuvette into the enclosed sample space and squeezed by reducing the thickness of the enclosed sample space making the cell volume asymmetrically redistributed. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the enclosed sample space is reduced by manipulating the enclosure to squeeze the plates together.In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of live cell in the enclosed sample space in an axial direction relative to the first and second plates may be squeezed to between around 1 nanometers to around 10000 microns, and in the radial directions relative to the first and second plates the cell may be squeezed to between around 1 micron and around 100000 mm. In this paragraph, around means plus or minus 10%. This allows a novel type of reading of the cell structure via microscopy or spectroscopy by allowing the processing and scanning of live cells in what is practically a 2D mode instead of a 3D mode, which dramatically improves the specificity and resolution of the spatial information for morphology and functionality of the cells, (a person skilled in the art will recognize that to analyze a functioning cell it is necessary to avoid putting enough pressure on the cell to kill or damage the cell)

[0056] The cell can also can be driven and arbitrary positioned inside the enclosed sample space using the hydraulic force created, for instance, by syringes connected with the inlet and outlet openings. Figure 9 illustrates the use of hydraulic pressure across multiple inlet and outlet openings to manipulate a sample for analysis. Turning to Figure 9, there is a plate 100 with multiple openings 1 10. A sample for analysis 102 sits in roughly the centre of the plate 100. By manipulating the hydraulic pressures at openings 110, the sample 102 can, for example, be rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrows 104. The sample can be rotated in the other direction, or even moved in lateral directions or out of the centre of the plate 100. This approach allows for a more versatile control of the samples (or object inside the sample, such as a cell in fluid) inside the cuvette.

[0057] In the plate shown in Figure 6, the inlet and outlet tubes 76 and 78 are not in the axial direction of the plate. Instead, inlet and outlet tubes 76 and 78 are at an angle to the axial direction of the plate. This allows the flows inside enclosed sample space 79 to be more efficiently employed to move or manipulate the sample in the cuvette as fluids entering through inlet tube 76 will have a radial component (radial in relation to the plates 70 and 72).

[0058] In another embodiment, the first plate has inlet and outlet tubes at an angle to the axial direction of the first plate, and the second plate has inlet and outlet tubes at an angleto the axial direction of the second plate. This setup, or setups with even more inlet and / or outlet tubes, facilitates greater complexity and control of the radial and axial components (radial and axial in relation to the first and second plates) of fluids entering the enclosed sample space.

[0059] While the outside of the plates must be shaped and sized so as to fit in a detection device, the trim edge can be any shape that can accommodate an O-ring or gasket and form a seal when compressed with another plate. Figure 10 illustrates a plate 120 with a polygon convex-shaped trim edge profile 122.

[0060] The cuvettes described above can maintain parallel walls while changing the axial depth of the enclosed sample space, while holding the sample inside to maintain constant optical paths and reproducibility of measurements. However, in another embodiment the plates and / or enclosures can be modified to provide an angle between the plates, creating a tapered shape volume of the enclosed sample space. This can be useful, for example, for holography interferometry measurements.

[0061] The cuvette can be easily disassembled by just opening the enclosure and separating the plates and O-ring or gasket. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure is opened by unscrewing or twisting the male and female enclosures as seen in Figure 1 .

[0062] The first plate, second plate and O-ring or gasket may be sold together as a kit to use with an enclosure to assemble a cuvette. The first plate, second plate and O-ring or gasket may be sold together as an assembled unit. The first plate, second plate, O-ring or gasket, and enclosure may be sold together as a kit to assemble a cuvette. The first plate, second plate, O-ring or gasket, and enclosure may be sold together as an assembled cuvette.

[0063] The cuvette disclosed herein may be used with many methods of analysis, including by microscopes, spectrometers, interferometers, holography, and other optical, mechanical, or electromagnetic detection devices, including chemical analysis or manipulation of samples such as optical tweezers (including manipulation using lasers).

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A kit for assembling a cuvette, comprising: an O-ring or gasket; a first plate with a first surface, the first plate being configured to accommodate the 0- ring or gasket, a second plate with a second surface; where the first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; where the first plate and second plate and O-ring or gasket are configured so, when the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate are aligned and the first surface and the second surface are pushed together and compress the O-ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, an enclosed space is created between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface, the first opening being connected to a first tube; and a second opening in either the first surface or the second surface, the second opening being connected to a second tube.

2. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising: an enclosure, where the enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axial directions of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together.

3. A cuvette, comprising: a first plate with a first surface and a second plate with a second surface and an O-ring or gasket, the first plate being configured to accommodate the O-ring or gasket, wherethe first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface; and a second opening in either the first surface or the second surface; where the first opening is connected to a first tube and the second opening is connected to a second tube; the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate being aligned and the first surface and the second surface facing each other, and the first plate and second plate compressing the O-ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, creating an enclosed space between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket.

4. The cuvette of claim 3, further comprising: an enclosure, where the enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axial directions of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together.

5. The cuvette of claim 3, where at least one of the first tube and the second tube are at an angle to the axial direction of the surface of the plate to which they are connected.

6. The cuvette of claim 3, where there is a central negative spacer in one or both of the first surface and the second surface.

7. The cuvette of claim 4, where the enclosure is configured with markings so the axial thickness of the enclosed space can be adjusted with an accuracy of around + / - 1 nm.

8. The cuvette of claim 3, where one or both of the first surface and the second surface is curved along its radial dimension.

9. A method of use of a cuvette to analyze a sample, comprising: placing a cuvette into a detection device, the cuvette comprising: a first plate with a first surface and a second plate with a second surface and an O-ring or gasket, the first plate being configured to accommodate the O-ring orgasket, where the first plate and the second plate are made of materials suitable for a method of analysis; a first opening in either the first surface or the second surface; and a second opening in either the first surface or the second surface; where the first opening is connected to a first tube and the second opening is connected to a second tube; the axial directions of the first plate and the second plate being aligned and the first surface and the second surface facing each other, and the first plate and second plate compressing the O-ring or gasket between the first plate and the second plate, creating an enclosed space between the first surface, the second surface, and the O-ring or gasket; inserting the sample into the enclosed space through the first tube, and analyzing the sample.

10. The method of claim 9, where the cuvette further comprises: an enclosure, where the enclosure is configured to hold the first plate and the second plate so the axial directions of the enclosure, first plate and second plate align, and push the first surface and the second surface together.11 . The method of claim 9, further comprising: attaching at least one of the first tube and the second tube to a means for exerting hydraulic pressure, and manipulating the hydraulic pressure to manipulate the sample within the enclosed space.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: attaching at least one of the first tube and the second tube to a means for exerting hydraulic pressure, and manipulating the hydraulic pressure to manipulate the sample within the enclosed space.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: the sample being a living cell.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the first plate and the second plate being further pushed together so as to compress the sample to facilitate a specific analysis of the sample.

15. The method of claim 14, where the sample is compressed to an axial thickness of between 1 + / - 10% nanometers to around 10000 + / - 10% microns in the axial direction of the first and second plates.

Images