Microcuvette Assembly with Free-Beam Optical Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplates for absorption measurements are unsuitable for automated analysis of large numbers of samples due to complexity in production and high evaporation rates, and lack precise path length definition, making them inadequate for precise concentration determination.
Innovation Solution
A microcuvette arrangement with precisely defined height and base area similar to standard microplates, featuring transparent free-beam optical elements for precise optical path length and reduced evaporation, allowing for automated absorption measurements using a standard microplate reader.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single volume of liquid with large height (path length) but very small diameter is examined, then the measurement signal is maximized, but the evaporation rate becomes quite large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the liquid volume into multiple smaller volumes distributed across multiple cuvette positions, each with optimized path length and surface area to balance signal strength and evaporation rate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single tall narrow cuvette to multiple shorter wider cuvettes arranged in an array, changing the dimensional configuration to reduce evaporation while maintaining measurement capability
2Illumination intensity
If two components are moved apart to stretch the drop and achieve largest possible path length, then the measurement signal is maximized, but the device becomes complex to produce and unsuitable for automated examination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs a universal microplate format that can be used with standard automated microplate readers, making the device suitable for both manual and automated examination without requiring specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention standardizes the cuvette dimensions and arrangement parameters to match standard microplate specifications, enabling compatibility with existing automated equipment while maintaining optimized optical path lengths
3Extent of automation
If a standard microplate format is used, then automated examination is enabled, but the path length is not precisely defined, making concentration determination inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses capillary forces and surface tension to precisely control liquid volume and position in the cuvettes, ensuring reproducible path lengths without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention defines specific parameter ranges for cuvette dimensions and liquid volumes that ensure precise path lengths while maintaining compatibility with standard automated microplate readers
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
Enables precise concentration determination and minimizes measurement errors from inhomogeneous samples and evaporation, facilitating automated analysis of small liquid volumes with improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The holding of a liquid volume 8 between the two opposing cuvette surfaces 3.5 of the two partial plates 2.4 of the microcuvette arrangement 1 is preferably based on the surface tension of this liquid volume 8
Implementation Method 2
the concentration of a specific ingredient in a liquid sample can be determined manually and/or automatically using the precisely defined optical path length and the measurement of the optical density according to the Lambert-Beer law
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The assembly (1) has a partial plate (4) with cuvette surfaces, and another partial plate of cuvette surfaces (5) are arranged in register plane-parallel to former cuvette surfaces and spaced apart by a distance, to form in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly. Each of the former cuvette surfaces of the latter partial plate is formed individually and completely in each case by a surface of a transparent body (12) accomplished as a free beam optical element and arranged in each case in an opening penetrating the latter partial plate. An independent claim is also included for a method for examining biological samples with a micro cuvette assembly.