Multi-Chamber Cuvette Assembly for Filtered Optical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cuvettes for optical measurement of liquid samples, particularly biological samples, are not conducive to mass production, lack user-friendly features, and do not facilitate easy flow of liquid samples into optical chambers through filters, making them unsuitable for commercial use and time-consuming for bacterial detection.
Innovation Solution
A cuvette assembly with multiple chambers, including liquid-input and optical chambers, features angled windows to minimize reflections, a filter for particle size selection, and closure mechanisms for sterility and single-use assurance, along with vents and pressure/vacuum ports for efficient sample transfer and optical measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cuvettes are used for optical measurement, then optical measurement can be performed, but mass production is not conducive and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cuvette is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber for sample loading, second chamber for optical measurement) separated by a filter membrane. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized independently for its function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the sample loading chamber and the optical measurement chamber. This intermediary component enables particle size selection and facilitates easy sample transfer while maintaining a simple, mass-producible cuvette structure.
2Measurement precision
If traditional cuvettes without filters are used, then sample loading is simple, but particle size selection and interference reduction are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
A filter membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the sample loading chamber and the optical measurement chamber. This intermediary component enables particle size selection and facilitates easy sample transfer while maintaining a simple, mass-producible cuvette structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter membrane provides localized particle size selection at the interface between chambers, allowing different regions of the cuvette to have different functions: the first chamber for bulk sample storage and the second chamber for precise optical measurement of filtered particles.
3Measurement precision
If vertical windows are used in optical chambers, then light transmission is straightforward, but reflections and measurement accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The windows in the optical chambers are angled asymmetrically relative to the light transmission path. This asymmetric design minimizes reflections at the window interfaces while maintaining effective light transmission through the sample, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
4Productivity
If liquid samples are transferred without pressure control, then transfer is simple, but flow efficiency and sample delivery speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure control ports are integrated into the cuvette design, allowing external pressure application to the liquid sample. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach enables efficient and rapid sample transfer from the first chamber through the filter membrane into the second chamber, significantly improving transfer speed without complex mechanical mechanisms.
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
Facilitates mass production, user-friendly operation, and efficient delivery of liquid samples for optical measurement, enhancing the detection of particles like bacteria with reduced interference and improved accuracy.
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.