Capillary multi-channel optical flow cell
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a multi-channel flow cell, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first end block having a first inner surface and defining a plurality of inlet ports;
providing a second end block having a second inner surface and defining a plurality of outlet ports;
providing a first flow layer defining a first plurality of flow channels and having a first thickness;
inserting a first plurality of optical fibers through the plurality of inlet ports;
inserting a first plurality of fluid conduits through the plurality of inlet ports;
sealing the first plurality of optical fibers and the first plurality of fluid conduits;
polishing the first plurality of optical fibers;
positioning the first flow layer between the first inner surface and the second inner surface; and
directly or indirectly joining the first flow layer, the first end block, and the second end block.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A first multi-channel optical flow cell includes a two end blocks disposed around a channel-defining flow layer, with a first end block having multiple inlet ports each containing an associated optical fiber and fluid conduit terminated substantially flush against an inner surface of the first end block. The second end block may have multiple outlet ports each containing at least one of an additional optical fiber and additional fluid conduit. A method for fabricating a multi-channel flow cell includes inserting a first plurality of optical fibers and a first plurality of fluid conduits through a plurality of inlet ports defined in a first end block, sealing the optical fibers and conduits, polishing the optical fibers, and then positioning and joining a channel-defining flow layer between the first end block and a second end block.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a multi-channel flow cell, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first end block having a first inner surface and defining a plurality of inlet ports;
providing a second end block having a second inner surface and defining a plurality of outlet ports;
providing a first flow layer defining a first plurality of flow channels and having a first thickness;
inserting a first plurality of optical fibers through the plurality of inlet ports;
inserting a first plurality of fluid conduits through the plurality of inlet ports;
sealing the first plurality of optical fibers and the first plurality of fluid conduits;
polishing the first plurality of optical fibers;
positioning the first flow layer between the first inner surface and the second inner surface; and
directly or indirectly joining the first flow layer, the first end block, and the second end block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14)
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12. The method of 11 wherein the first thickness differs from the second thickness.
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15. A multi-channel optical flow cell comprising:
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a first end block having a first inner surface and defining a plurality of inlet ports;
a flow layer having a first outer surface, having a second outer surface, and defining a plurality of flow channels;
a second end block having a second inner surface and defining a plurality of outlet ports;
a first plurality of optical fibers; and
a first plurality of fluid conduits;
wherein each optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers is terminated substantially flush with the first inner surface and is affixed within a different inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports;
wherein each fluid conduit of the first plurality of fluid conduits is terminated substantially flush with the first inner surface and is affixed within a different inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports;
wherein the flow layer is disposed between the first end block and the second end block;
wherein each fluid conduit of the first plurality of fluid conduits is in fluid communication with a different flow channel of the plurality of flow channels; and
wherein each optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers is in optical communication with a different flow channel of the plurality of flow channels. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A multi-channel optical flow cell comprising:
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a first end block defining a plurality of inlet ports and a plurality of outlet ports;
a flow layer defining a plurality of flow channels, with each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels being in fluid communication with a different inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports and being in fluid communication with a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports;
a second end block;
a first plurality of optical fibers;
a second plurality of optical fibers;
a first plurality of fluid conduits; and
a second plurality of fluid conduits;
wherein;
each flow channel of the plurality of flow channels is in optical communication with at least one optical fiber of the first plurality of optical fibers and with at least one optical fiber of the second plurality of optical fibers;
each fluid conduit of the first plurality of fluid conduits is affixed within a different inlet port of the plurality of inlet ports;
each fluid conduit of the second plurality of fluid conduits is affixed within a different outlet port of the plurality of outlet ports;
the flow layer is disposed between the first end block and the second end block. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification