Replaceable Cuvette Assembly for Optical Absorbance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spectroscopic systems face challenges in measuring hemoglobin parameters in whole blood due to strong optical scattering, which leads to light loss and nonlinear absorbance, requiring improved light collection, increased upper absorbance measurement range, and the use of new algorithms to account for blood settling effects and non-uniform light sources.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable cuvette assembly is designed for installation in a compact COOx analyzer subsystem, featuring a light-emitting module, optical fiber, spectrometer module, and processor module, with diffusers to equalize spatial light distribution, a prism-based spectrometer for low stray light, and a thermal-compensating lens mount to maintain spectral accuracy, and a computational mapping function to process absorbance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectroscopic systems are used to measure whole blood, then the measurement process is simple, but strong optical scattering causes light loss and nonlinear absorbance leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces diffusers as intermediary elements positioned between the light source and cuvette, and between the cuvette and spectrometer. These diffusers scatter and redistribute light to create a more uniform spatial light distribution, mediating the interaction between the structured light source and the highly scattering whole blood sample, thereby reducing measurement errors caused by optical scattering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of light by using diffusers to transform structured light into more uniform light distribution. This parameter change in light spatial characteristics helps mitigate the effects of optical scattering in whole blood, improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex computational corrections
2Measurement precision
If light collection is improved to overcome scattering, then measurement accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusers serve as simple intermediary optical elements that improve light collection efficiency and uniformity without requiring complex optical systems. The diffusers are positioned strategically in the optical path to naturally redistribute light, achieving improved measurement accuracy through simple additive components rather than complex optical design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality improvement by enhancing light distribution specifically in the regions where it matters most for measurement - between the light source and cuvette, and between the cuvette and spectrometer. The diffusers create locally optimized light fields that improve measurement accuracy without requiring global system redesign
3Measurement precision
If diffusers are added to equalize spatial light distribution, then measurement accuracy improves, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusers are designed as intermediary elements that redistribute rather than absorb light. By positioning diffusers at strategic locations in the optical path and using appropriate diffuser materials and geometries, the system achieves uniform light distribution while minimizing light loss through the intermediaries
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 enables accurate measurement of whole-blood hemoglobin and bilirubin parameters by reducing measurement errors, increasing data collection efficiency, and maintaining spectral response stability, even in the presence of strong optical scattering and blood settling effects.
Implementation Method 1
with diffusers to equalize spatial light distribution
Implementation Method 2
a prism-based spectrometer for low stray light
Implementation Method 3
optical fiber, spectrometer module
Implementation Method 4
measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters or whole-blood bilirubin parameters using optical absorbance measurements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A cuvette assembly (40) capable of installation in an optical absorbance measurement system for measuring whole-blood hemoglobin parameters orwhole-blood bilirubin parameters, the cuvette assembly (40) comprising: a cuvette substrate (41); and a cuvette module (43) fixedly connected to the cuvette substrate (41), wherein the cuvette substrate (41) is a support for securing the cuvette assembly (40) within the optical absorbance measurement system, the cuvette module (43) comprising: a sample Inlet port (46); a sample outlet port (47); an electronic chip assembly (48); a sample receiving chamber (54) that fluidly communicates with the sample inlet port (46) and the sample outlet port (47); a first cuvette window (49); and a second cuvette window (52) forming a portion of the sample receiving chamber (54), wherein the first cuvette window (49) and the second cuvette window (52) are aligned with each other, thereby defining a cuvette optical path length between the first cuvette window (49) and the second cuvette window (52), wherein the cuvette module (43) includes a cuvette first portion (44) and a cuvette second portion (50) bonded to each other and thereby form the sample receiving chamber (54), and wherein the first cuvette window (49) and the second cuvette window (52) are disposed within an optical path of the optical absorbance measurement system.