Optically Clear Pipette Tip for Adjustable Spectroscopy Path Length
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring liquid samples in spectroscopy often result in significant sample waste and require extensive equipment maintenance due to the need for cleaning between measurements, which can lead to contamination and erroneous results.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip made of an optically clear material with an inner space that allows for adjustable cross-sectional path lengths for light transmission, enabling precise absorbance or fluorescence measurements without the need for surface contact or extensive cleaning, using a combination of movable light sources and reflective surfaces to optimize light path lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cuvettes are used for spectroscopic measurements, then measurements can be performed with sufficient light path length, but significant sample waste occurs and extensive cleaning maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable micro-volume cuvettes that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and preventing cross-contamination. These single-use cuvettes are designed to hold minimal sample volumes (microliter range) while providing sufficient optical path length for accurate spectroscopic measurements, directly addressing the sample waste problem of conventional reusable cuvettes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the measurement system into disposable micro-cuvettes that can be individually discarded and reusable measurement equipment. This segmentation allows the sample-containing component to be replaced rather than cleaned, reducing sample waste and maintenance requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If conventional cuvettes are used for spectroscopic measurements, then measurements can be performed, but extensive cleaning maintenance is required between measurements
Solution Approach 1:
By using disposable micro-volume cuvettes, the patent eliminates the cleaning maintenance burden associated with reusable cuvettes. The disposable nature ensures no cross-contamination between samples while removing the time-consuming cleaning process, directly improving ease of operation and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sample-holding and sample-contact function into a separate disposable component (the micro-cuvette), leaving the main measurement equipment clean and reusable. This extraction allows the complex measurement instrument to remain contamination-free while the simple disposable cuvette handles sample containment and disposal.
3Quantity of substance
If microliter volume samples are held by surface tension between anvil surfaces, then sample volume is minimized, but surface contact requires specific cleaning to avoid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable micro-volume cuvettes that contain microliter samples without requiring surface tension between reusable anvils. The disposable nature eliminates contamination risk between samples while maintaining minimal sample volume requirements, solving both the sample economy and contamination prevention problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable micro-cuvette acts as an intermediary between the sample and the measurement equipment. It provides a contained environment that holds the microliter sample securely without requiring direct contact with the measurement instrument surfaces, thereby eliminating cross-contamination while maintaining sample economy.
4Device complexity
If reusable cuvettes are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but time is lost due to cleaning between measurements
Solution Approach 1:
By using inexpensive disposable micro-volume cuvettes, the patent eliminates the time-consuming cleaning process between measurements. The low cost of disposable cuvettes compensates for not reusing expensive equipment, and the elimination of cleaning steps significantly increases measurement throughput and reduces time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a discard-and-recover system where disposable cuvettes are discarded after single use and replaced with fresh ones. This approach recovers time by eliminating cleaning procedures while maintaining equipment simplicity, as the main measurement instrument requires no maintenance between samples.
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 solution minimizes sample loss and reduces maintenance requirements by allowing for repeatable, accurate measurements within the pipette tip, eliminating the need for surface contact and subsequent cleaning, thereby enhancing throughput and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
an optically clear body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an inner space for receiving a liquid sample... measuring light transmission through the liquid sample
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the inner space of the pipette tip to change the cross-sectional path length for light
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 method and device for photometric measurement of liquids. The method includes the steps of: The method includes the steps of; providing a pipette tip, the pipette tip being made of an optically clear body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an inner space for receiving a liquid sample, the inner space providing a cross-sectional path length for light; positioning the pipette tip between a light source and a light collector; measuring light transmission through the liquid sample; adjusting the inner space of the pipette tip to change the cross-sectional length, and measuring light transmission through the liquid sample. This can be accomplished by moving the light source from a first position to at least a second position to provide a plurality of cross-sectional path lengths through the liquid sample or by moving the pipette tip from a first position to at least a second position to provide a plurality of cross-sectional path lengths through the liquid sample.