Pipette Tip System for Spectroscopy with Disposable Micro-Capillaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring liquid samples in spectroscopy often result in significant sample waste and require time-consuming cleaning and maintenance, limiting throughput and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip system with integrated light supplying and collecting units, allowing for precise spectroscopic analysis within the tip without sample contact with the measurement system, reducing contamination and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cuvette methods are used for spectroscopic measurement, then light transmission measurement can be achieved, but significant sample waste occurs and time-consuming cleaning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable micro-capillaries that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and preventing sample cross-contamination. These inexpensive single-use capillaries replace reusable cuvettes, allowing minimal sample volumes to be used while maintaining measurement accuracy through consistent optical path lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is segmented into disposable micro-capillaries containing the sample and a reusable measurement device. This segmentation allows the sample-containing component to be discarded after use, while the expensive measurement instrumentation is reused, thereby minimizing sample waste and eliminating cleaning requirements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional cuvette methods are used, then spectroscopic analysis can be performed, but cleaning and maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using disposable micro-capillaries, the patent eliminates the cleaning and maintenance time associated with reusable cuvettes. Each capillary is used once and then discarded, ensuring no sample cross-contamination and eliminating all cleaning steps while maintaining spectroscopic measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample-containing component (micro-capillary) is extracted as a separate disposable element from the measurement device. This extraction allows the measurement device to remain clean and reusable, while the disposable capillary handles all sample contact and is discarded after single use, eliminating maintenance time.
3Quantity of substance
If microliter volume samples are held between anvil surfaces, then measurement is possible, but sample contact with device surfaces occurs requiring careful cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable micro-capillaries that contain the microliter sample volumes. The capillaries are discarded after single use, preventing any sample contamination of the measurement device surfaces while maintaining the ability to measure microliter volumes accurately through the capillary walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-capillary acts as an intermediary between the sample and the measurement device. The sample remains contained within the capillary, and measurements are performed through the capillary walls, preventing direct contact between the sample and device surfaces while still enabling spectroscopic analysis.
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 minimal sample loss and reduced maintenance requirements, improving measurement efficiency and accuracy by allowing repeatable, contamination-free analysis of liquid samples.
Implementation Method 1
light from a particular light source is shone through the liquid samples, the light from the particular light source often being specifically regulated through a series of intervening optics structures... The collected light, having passed through the liquid sample, is then passed generally to a spectrometer to evaluate absorption of the light by the liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
at least one light supplying unit positioned to supply light to a liquid sample in the pipette tip and at least one light collecting unit positioned to collect light from a liquid sample in the pipette tip
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, techniques, processes, products and product components that can facilitate users making improved absorbance or fluorescence measurements in the field of spectroscopy with reduced (minimal) sample waste, and increased throughput, particularly in the study of biological sciences. A measuring system is provided having: a base unit with a means for locating a pipette tip; a pipette tip designed to interact with the base unit for purposes of accurate pipette tip positioning; at least one light supplying unit positioned to supply light to a liquid sample in the pipette tip and at least one light collecting unit positioned to collect light from a liquid sample in the pipette tip.