Stepped Cuvette Measuring Surfaces for Variable Layer Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cuvettes for optical measurements in biotechnology and molecular biology are either too large for small sample volumes, inflexible in terms of layer thickness, or designed as disposable articles, making them inefficient and costly for precise measurements of small sample amounts.
Innovation Solution
A cuvette design featuring flat plates with stepped measuring surfaces that allow for adjustable layer thicknesses, held by interfacial tension and capillary forces, enabling measurement of sample solutions in different drop volumes without the need for complex mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standardized cuvettes with receiving volume >50 μl are used, then a fixed layer thickness is achieved, but the cuvette is too large for very small sample amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The cuvette body is segmented into multiple recesses, each with different depths, allowing the same cuvette to hold different sample volumes (5 μl, 10 μl, or 20 μl) in different recesses. This segmentation enables the cuvette to adapt to various sample amounts without requiring multiple different cuvettes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cuvette (different recesses) have different local qualities in terms of depth and volume capacity. Each recess is optimized for specific sample volumes, allowing precise measurement of small sample amounts while maintaining the same overall cuvette structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cuvettes with different layer thicknesses are designed, then measurements in different path lengths are enabled, but the cuvette cannot be reused and production becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single reusable cuvette design serves multiple functions by incorporating recesses of different depths. The same cuvette can measure samples in different layer thicknesses (5 mm, 2.5 mm, or 1.25 mm) by placing the sample in different recesses, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cuvettes and simplifying production.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuvette provides dynamic adaptability through its multi-depth recess structure, allowing the user to select the appropriate measurement depth based on sample concentration requirements. This dynamic versatility is achieved through a static, reusable physical structure rather than complex mechanical adjustments.
3Reliability
If disposable cuvettes are used, then contamination is avoided, but cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire cuvette after use, the design allows recovery and reuse of the main cuvette body. The recesses can be easily cleaned and sterilized, enabling the same cuvette to be used for multiple measurements while maintaining contamination prevention through proper cleaning protocols between uses.
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 design allows for simpler, cost-effective, and reusable cuvettes that can measure small sample volumes in various layer thicknesses, improving measurement precision and reducing production complexity while maintaining optical transparency for UV measurements.
Implementation Method 1
measuring spaces, in which a liquid sample solution can be held by means of its interfacial tension
Implementation Method 2
measuring spaces, in which a liquid sample solution can be held by means of its interfacial tension and capillary forces
Data Source
AI summary
Cuvette, comprising a first flat plate (1) and a second flat plate (2), both of which in a closed state of the cuvette are positioned so as to be situated opposite parallel to each other and at which there is at least one transparent first measuring surface (1.1) and at least one transparent second measuring surface (2.1), which define in pairs a measuring space (3), in which a liquid sample solution having a drop volume can be held by means of its surface tension and capillary forces. At least the second measuring surface (2.1) of each one of the measuring spaces (3) is a stepped surface, which has at least two plane-parallel partial measuring surfaces (2.1.1, 2.1.2), which are connected to each other by means of a setting surface (2.1.0), so that the partial measuring surfaces (2.1.1, 2.1.2) exhibit different vertical distances (b1, b2) from the first measuring surface (1.1).