CUVETTE

• US 20120189510A1
• Filed: 10/14/2010
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
• Original Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
• Inventors: Kim, Joon-Won, Chung, Wan-Kyun
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,754 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/554
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 13/02 for receptacle or instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50857 using arrays or bundles of open capillaries for holding samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/115 Washing; Purging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/03 Cuvette constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/11 Filling or emptying of cuvettes

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a cuvette of which an inner space thereof is easily cleansed while minimizing its inner space.

A cuvette according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an upper portion having an inlet and forming a first inner space; a middle portion following the first inner space and forming a second inner space that is smaller than the first inner space; and a lower portion following the second inner space and forming a through hole having an interior diameter that is narrower than a cross-section of the second inner space. Accordingly, the through hole functions as a valve to stop the solution when the solution is divided to the inner space for the test, and after the test, the inlet is pressed such that the through hole functions as a nozzle when cleansing such that the solution may be exhausted therefrom.

Claims

1. A cuvette made of a container including a sample solution and used for a spectroscope test, comprising:

an upper portion having an inlet and forming a first inner space of the container; and

a lower portion formed to communicate with the first inner space and forming a through hole having a horizontal cross-section of an area that is narrower than the horizontal cross-section of the first inner space.

2. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the through hole has a function as a valve that is closed by a capillary force and is opened by an added pressure.

3. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the through hole is formed for a surface tension acting between the sample solution and an inner surface of the through hole to be equal or larger than gravity applied to the sample solution included in the container.

4. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the through hole and the inlet are satisfied with a condition below:

5. The cuvette of claim 1, further comprising:

a middle portion connected to the inner first space and forming a second inner space that is smaller than the first space; and

the through hole of the lower portion is connected to the second inner space and has a horizontal cross-section of an area that is narrower than the horizontal cross-section of the second inner space.

6. The cuvette of claim 5, wherein

the second inner space formed in the middle portion has a length L set up in a path direction of measured light and that is more than a minimum depth that the light is transmitted, and is formed by satisfying a width W set up to be at least larger than a size of a spot of the light.

7. The cuvette of claim 6, wherein

the width of the second inner space is larger than the width of the sensor.

8. The cuvette of claim 5, wherein

the cuvette is formed by combining a body unit of which the upper portion and the middle portion are integrally formed, and a through hole unit forming the lower portion.

9. The cuvette of claim 8, wherein

the through hole unit is formed of a non-wetting material.

10. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein,

for the through hole, the horizontal cross-section of the lower portion is formed with a quadrangular shape or a circular shape.

11. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

multiple through holes are formed.

12. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

for the through hole, the horizontal cross-section of the lower portion is formed with a slit shape.

13. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the through hole has an inner surface that is curved or is formed with a minute structure.

14. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the through hole further includes a non-wetting coating layer formed at the inner surface thereof.

15. The cuvette of claim 1, wherein

the lower portion further includes

a groove connected to the through hole.

16. The cuvette of claim 15, wherein

the groove is formed and connected in a direction vertical to the through hole.

17. The cuvette of claim 14, wherein

the groove is formed singularly or in plural with respect to an entire length of the through hole.