Stationary Linear Cuvette Array for High-Throughput Optical Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic analyzers for chemical, biochemical, and immunochemical analyses face limitations due to rigid clock cycles and predefined time windows, leading to reduced sample throughput and inefficiencies, particularly in the movement and processing of cuvettes within the analyzer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a stationary, linear cuvette array with movable and stationary machine components, including a pipettor, mixer unit, optical measurement unit, cuvette washing unit, needle washing unit, temperature control unit, and evaluation unit, allows for independent movement of pipettors and cuvette washing units, enabling flexible access to cuvettes and increased throughput without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary detection unit with a rotatable cuvette holder is used, then the measurement process is simplified, but the sample throughput decreases due to rigid cycle times and frequent stopping
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the cuvettes past a stationary detector (traditional approach), the patent inverts the concept by using multiple stationary detectors that simultaneously measure multiple stationary cuvettes. This eliminates the need for rotation and stopping, allowing continuous operation and significantly increasing sample throughput while maintaining measurement simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection units, each with its own light source and detector. Each detection unit independently measures a specific cuvette, allowing parallel measurement of multiple samples simultaneously. This segmentation eliminates the sequential measurement bottleneck and enables continuous high-speed analysis
2Device complexity
If cuvettes are moved sequentially past the detection unit for measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and flexibility deteriorate due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional measurement approach by making both the cuvettes and detectors stationary. This eliminates the mechanical positioning requirements and associated precision issues while maintaining device simplicity. The measurement precision is improved because cuvettes remain stationary during measurement, eliminating motion-induced errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation and positioning system with a static optical array. Instead of mechanically moving cuvettes into position, the system uses multiple fixed optical paths that simultaneously access multiple stationary cuvettes. This substitution of mechanical movement with a static optical configuration eliminates positioning errors and improves measurement precision
3Productivity
If multiple machine components are made movable to access stationary cuvettes, then sample throughput increases, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the measurement function into multiple independent stationary detection units, each handling a specific cuvette. This allows parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously, increasing throughput without requiring any components to move. The segmentation of the optical system enables high productivity while maintaining mechanical simplicity
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 configuration enables more accurate and flexible measurement processes, allowing for continuous measurement of cuvettes without the need for sequential positioning, resulting in significantly increased sample throughput and improved analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a stationary light-supplying unit which has at least one light distributor device which feeds the light from a plurality of LED light sources emitting in a spectrally different manner in the UV/VIS/NIR wavelength range into the inlet windows of the individual cuvettes of the cuvette array
Implementation Method 2
the light distributor device has a cavity, the inner surfaces of which are designed to be at least partially mirrored and/or diffusely reflective
Implementation Method 3
a stationary detection unit which is assigned to the outlet windows of the cuvettes and which has a plurality of photodiodes
Implementation Method 4
Photometry - The physical effect on which photometric measurement is based is the absorption of light of particular wavelengths by particular substances present in a liquid
Implementation Method 5
E=ε·c·d Lambert-Beer's law where c [mol/l] . . . molar concentration
Implementation Method 6
a stationary temperature control unit for setting a predefinable measurement temperature in the cuvettes
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method and a device for carrying out chemical, biochemical and/or immunochemical analyses of liquid samples, which are present in a sample store of an automatic analyzer, with the aid of liquid reagents, which are present in at least one reagent store of the analyzer. In one embodiment, a analyzer is disclosed including cuvettes for holding the liquid samples and reagents, the cuvettes are arranged in at least one stationary, linear cuvette array. The analyzer further has an optical measurement unit with a stationary light-supplying unit which has at least one light distributor device that feeds the light from a plurality of LED light sources emitting in a spectrally different manner in the UV/VIS/NIR wavelength range into the inlet windows of the individual cuvettes of the cuvette array. The optical measurement unit further includes a stationary detection unit assigned to outlet windows of the cuvettes and further includes a plurality of photodiodes.