Sample element with fringing-reduction capabilities

• US 20050264815A1
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Original Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Andrew C., Keenan, Rich, Braig, James R., Wechsler, Mark, Li, Ken, Witte, Kenneth G.
• Application Number:
  US11/124,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20050264815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/440
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/045 whereby the whole cover is slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0825 Test strips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/036 transformable, modifiable
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0389 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0332 with temperature control control of temperature G05D23/00; cryostats F17C3/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence

Abstract

A sample element configured to hold a material sample for determining a concentration of an analyte in the material sample. The sample element comprises a first window, a sample chamber partially defined by the first window, and a second, moveable window substantially aligned with the first window and the sample chamber. The second window is moveable from a first position in which the second window is spaced from the sample chamber, to a second position in which the second window covers and at least partially encloses the sample chamber.

Claims

1. A sample element comprising:

a first window;

a sample chamber partially defined by said first window; and

a second window substantially aligned with said first window and said sample chamber on an optical path of said sample element, said second window removably held in a first position relative to the first window,

said second window being moveable toward said first window to a second position.

2. The sample element of claim 1, wherein the second window partially defines said sample chamber when said second window is in said second position.

3. The sample element of claim 1, wherein the second window is mechanically moveable toward the first window.

4. The sample element of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between said first window and said second window.

5. The sample element of claim 1, further comprising a supply passage and a vent passage, wherein the supply and vent passages communicate with said sample chamber.

6. The sample element of claim 1, wherein the second window at least partially encloses the sample chamber in the second position, and the second window does not enclose the sample chamber in the first position.

7. The sample element of claim 1, wherein the first window and the second window are transmissive of infrared radiation.

8. A sample element configured to hold a material sample for determining a concentration of an analyte in said material sample, said sample element comprising:

a first window;

a sample chamber partially defined by said first window; and

a second, moveable window substantially aligned with said first window and said sample chamber, said second window being moveable from a first position in which said second window is spaced from said sample chamber, to a second position in which said second window covers and at least partially encloses said sample chamber.

9. The sample element of claim 8, wherein, when said second window is in said first position, said sample chamber is further defined by at least one sidewall which extends from said first window toward said second window.

10. The sample element of claim 9, wherein said at least one sidewall extends from said first window to said second window when said second window is in said second position.

11. The sample element of claim 9, wherein:

said first window is formed in a first material layer;

said second window is formed in a second material layer;

said at least one sidewall is formed in a third material layer adjacent said first material layer;

said second material layer is spaced from said third material layer when said second window is in said first position; and

said second material layer is adjacent said third material layer when said second window is in said second position.

12. The sample element of claim 8, further comprising a sample supply passage and a vent passage, said passages extending from said sample chamber, said sample chamber and said passages being uncovered when said second window is in said first position.

13. The sample element of claim 8, wherein said second window is removably held in said first position.

14. The sample element of claim 8, wherein said second window is moveable linearly from said first position to said second position.

15. The sample element of claim 8, wherein said second window is moveable angularly from said first position to said second position.

16. The sample element of claim 8, wherein the first window and the second window are transmissive of infrared radiation.

17. A method for determining a concentration of an analyte in a material sample, said method comprising:

providing an analyte detection system comprising a source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation along an optical path;

providing a sample element comprising first and second opposite windows, the second window removably held in a first position;

passing a first beam of electromagnetic radiation along said optical path and through the first and second windows;

moving the second window into a second position proximal the first window;

introducing the material sample between the first and second windows; and

passing a second beam of electromagnetic radiation through the first and second windows, and through the material sample.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the second window into the second position comprises at least partially enclosing, with said second window, a sample chamber at least partially defined by said first window.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein introducing the material sample occurs after enclosing the sample chamber with the second window.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising comparing readings made with the first and second beams, and estimating the concentration of the analyte in the material sample based on the results of the comparing.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first window at least partially defines a sample chamber, and the sample chamber is empty when the first beam is passed through the first window.