Multi-Chamber Cuvette Assembly for Filtered Optical Bacteria Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cuvettes for optical measurement of liquid samples, particularly biological samples, are not suitable for mass production, lack user-friendly features, and do not facilitate easy flow of liquid samples through filters, making them inefficient for commercial use and time-consuming for bacterial detection.
Innovation Solution
A cuvette assembly with multiple chambers, including liquid-input and optical chambers, featuring angled windows to minimize reflections, a filter for particle size selection, and closure mechanisms for sterility and single-use assurance, along with venting and pressure/vacuum mechanisms for sample transfer, enabling efficient sample delivery and optical measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing cuvettes are used for optical measurement, then the measurement function is provided, but the cuvettes are not suitable for mass production and lack user-friendly features
Solution Approach 1:
The cuvette assembly is divided into multiple independent cuvettes within a single main body, each cuvette containing separate liquid-input and optical chambers. This segmentation allows for standardized mass production of individual modules while maintaining reliable optical measurement functionality in each compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuvette assembly integrates multiple functions into a single device: sample loading, filtration, optical measurement, and sterility maintenance. The main body serves as both structural support and containment, while the integrated chambers enable both sample preparation and measurement, improving ease of manufacture without sacrificing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If existing cuvette designs are used, then the basic measurement capability is maintained, but liquid sample flow through filters is not facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-input chamber is designed with a filter positioned to automatically filter samples as they are loaded into the optical chamber. This preliminary filtration action occurs during the loading process itself, eliminating the need for separate filtration steps and reducing overall measurement time while facilitating easy sample flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuvette assembly incorporates pressure/vacuum mechanisms that use pneumatic or hydraulic forces to drive liquid samples from the liquid-input chamber through the filter and into the optical chamber. This enables automatic, rapid sample transfer without manual intervention, improving ease of operation and reducing measurement time.
3Reliability
If existing cuvette designs are used, then the measurement function is provided, but closure mechanisms for sterility are not included
Solution Approach 1:
The cuvette assembly is designed as a disposable unit with integrated closure mechanisms that ensure sterility during use and then are discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex, reusable closure systems while maintaining reliable sterility assurance through simple, single-use sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanisms are merged into the main body structure of the cuvette assembly, integrating sterility maintenance with the overall device design. This combination simplifies the device by eliminating separate closure components while ensuring reliable sterility through built-in sealing features.
4Measurement precision
If existing cuvette designs are used, then the basic optical measurement is enabled, but reflection interference is not minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The windows of the optical chambers are designed with asymmetric angles relative to the light beam path, specifically angled to minimize reflections. This asymmetric geometry prevents direct reflections from interfering with the optical measurement, improving measurement precision while addressing the harmful reflection effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The window angles are specifically designed to convert potential harmful reflections into beneficial directional light paths that do not interfere with the measurement. By carefully selecting the window angles, reflection interference is transformed into a design feature that actually improves optical performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cuvette assembly allows for easy and reliable optical measurement of particles, such as bacteria, with reduced reflection interference, facilitating rapid and accurate diagnostic results through mass-produced, user-friendly devices.
Implementation Method 1
a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter
Implementation Method 2
an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample
Implementation Method 3
an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.