Oblique Light Path in Photometric Sample Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face challenges in analyzing small liquid biological or biochemical samples due to limited sample volumes, which complicates quantitative analysis through light measurement.
Innovation Solution
The device irradiates measurement light obliquely through a measurement space, using both an upper and a lower mirror to increase the optical path length of the light beam, allowing it to pass through the sample multiple times, thereby enhancing measurement accuracy even with small sample volumes. The lower mirror's position and size can be adjusted to customize the number of passes, and it can be integrated into the sample carrier for simplicity and chemical compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If measurement light is radiated perpendicularly through the sample carrier onto the upper mirror, then the device structure is simple, but the optical path length through the sample is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from perpendicular (one-dimensional) light incidence to oblique (two-dimensional) incidence, allowing the light beam to traverse the measurement space multiple times between the upper and lower mirrors, thereby extending the optical path length without increasing the physical height of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The lower mirror is introduced as an intermediary element to reflect the light beam back toward the upper mirror, enabling multiple passes through the sample. The lower mirror can be integrated into the sample carrier, serving dual purposes of sample containment and light reflection
2Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased through multiple reflections, then measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lower mirror is merged with the sample carrier structure, eliminating the need for separate mirror mounting mechanisms. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve multiple light passes for improved measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The lower mirror is designed to be movable relative to the sample carrier, allowing dynamic adjustment of the optical path length and number of light passes. This enables optimization of measurement precision for different sample types and concentrations without requiring complex fixed structures
3Quantity of substance
If oblique incidence is used to increase path length, then measurement accuracy improves for small samples, but the beam path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is nested within the compact measurement space by arranging the upper and lower mirrors in a vertically stacked configuration. The light beam folds back and forth between the mirrors, effectively nesting multiple traversal paths within a small physical footprint, enabling accurate analysis of small sample volumes without requiring a large device footprint
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
This approach allows for high measurement accuracy with small sample volumes by increasing the optical path length, enabling precise analysis of small liquid samples through multiple reflections, and provides flexibility in adjusting the beam path to suit different samples.
Implementation Method 1
The upper mirror reflects the measurement light beam, so that the measurement light beam passes through the measurement space a total of two times between the light entrance and light exit
Implementation Method 2
measurement light coming from the upper mirror can be reflected by a lower mirror and thus achieve a further increase in the path length of a measurement light beam through a sample to be analyzed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the analysis of a liquid sample by way of light, comprising a transparent sample carrier, a movable upper mirror, which can be moved between a closed position, in which the mirror encloses a measurement space between itself and the sample carrier, and an open position, in which the sample carrier can be accessed so as to apply a sample, and a beam path, which guides incident measurement light between a light entrance into the measurement space and a light exit out of the measurement space from the sample carrier to the upper mirror reflecting the light. The beam path guides measurement light at an oblique angle of incidence through the sample carrier to the upper mirror.