Optical Flow Cell with Protruding Light Guides for High Protein Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional UV detector flow cells are inadequate for measuring high protein concentrations beyond their limitations, necessitating a solution for accurate and linear absorption measurement in chromatography systems.
Innovation Solution
A flow cell with a uniform cross-sectional flow area and small, protruding optical light guides that maintain fluid exchange, allowing for high protein concentration measurement with minimal signal drift and refractive index sensitivity, enabling linear response up to 100-200 mg/ml.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional UV detector flow cells are used, then measurement capability is limited to low protein concentrations, but the structure is simple and well-established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical path length parameter from traditional values (1-10 mm) to a micro-scale value of 0.07-0.2 mm, enabling linear measurement of high protein concentrations (1-200 mg/ml) that were previously impossible with conventional flow cells
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional flow cell geometry to a microfluidic channel structure with vertically protruding light guides, creating a three-dimensional optical path arrangement that minimizes fluid volume while maximizing measurement capability
2Measurement precision
If the optical gap is reduced to measure high concentrations, then linearity improves, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional bulk optical components with integrated optical waveguides that are directly formed on the flow cell substrate, eliminating alignment errors and improving signal coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses thin film optical waveguides (0.07-0.2 mm gap) that maintain mechanical stability while enabling the reduced optical path length necessary for high concentration measurements
3Ease of operation
If light guides are made small and protruding, then fluid exchange is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical waveguide structure with the flow cell substrate into a single integrated component, eliminating separate assembly steps and ensuring precise alignment while maintaining fluid flow pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fluid flow channels, supports optical waveguides, maintains uniform cross-sectional area for laminar flow, and enables high-concentration measurement capability
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 solution enables accurate and linear measurement of high protein concentrations, overcoming the limitations of traditional UV detectors by ensuring minimal signal drift and refractive index sensitivity, thus supporting advanced chromatography applications.
Implementation Method 1
A flow cell for optical measurement of the absorption of light in a sample
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
Optical flow cell detector comprising a sample inlet and outlet in fluidic communication through a flow cell channel of cross sectional area A, an input light guide with an light exit surface arranged adjacent and in optical alignment with a light entrance surface of an output light guide, wherein the input light guide and the output light guide protrudes into the flow cell channel and wherein the distance between the light exit surface and the light entrance surface is less than 1.0 mm, and wherein the cross sectional area of the protruding portions of the input light guide and the output light guide in the flow direction is less than A/2.