Disposable optical cuvette

• US 5,430,542 A
• Filed: 04/10/1992
• Issued: 07/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: A-Vox Systems, Inc. (Sphingotec GMBH)
• Original Assignee: AVOX Systems Inc (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Shepherd, A. P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenberger, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US07/867,031
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 356/39, 356/246
• US Class Current: 356/246
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/056 Laminated construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10

Abstract

A method and apparatus for making cuvettes. The cuvette comprises two optically transparent liquid impermeable plastic sheets. A third "sticky" sheet is inserted between the two transparent plastic sheets and the three sheets are pressure sealed together. The thickness of the "sticky" sheet defines the optical pathlength of the turbid media. The "sticky" sheet has cut outs defining the contour of an optical chamber, inlet port and vent port.

Claims

1. A method for producing an optical cuvette comprising:

forming a cut-out for defining an optical chamber of selected volume and shape in a plastic film having adhesive layers in both sides thereof and having a selected thickness that defines an optical pathlength perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said film; and

assembling two optically transparent substantially flat sheets of plastic with said plastic film disposed intermediate said transparent sheets in a sandwich relationship such that said adhesive layers on the sides of said plastic film secure said two transparent flat sheets together to provide a liquid tight seal and wherein the resulting assembly comprises an optical cuvette having an optical chamber of selected volume and shape, and an optical pathlength equal to the thickness of said plastic film.

2. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 1 wherein the step of forming the cut-out for defining an optical chamber comprises die cutting a portion of said plastic film to form a removable piece defining a selected shape and size for said optical chamber.

3. A method of producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of assembly comprises:

removing said die cut piece before adhesively securing said plastic film to one of said two optically transparent flat sheets; and

adhesively securing the other side of said plastic film to the other of said two optically transparent flat sheets.

4. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cut-out in said plastic film defines an optical chamber, a vent port, an inlet port, and a pathway connecting said one optical chamber and said ports.

5. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 4 further comprising:

securing a vent plug formed of a material that is impermeable to aqueous liquids over said vent port.

6. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 5 wherein said vent plug is formed of a material that is permeable to air.

7. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 2 further comprising:

providing said two optically transparent, substantially flat sheets and said plastic film in a size permitting the production of a plurality of cuvettes;

pattern die cutting a plurality of adjacent configurations in said plastic film, each configuration having at least one cut-out defining an optical chamber having an optical pathlength perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said plastic film;

adhesively securing said plastic film to one of said two optically transparent, substantially flat sheets;

adhesively securing the other side of said plastic film to the other of said two optically transparent, substantially flat sheets thereby forming a sandwich assembly wherein said plastic film is sandwiched between said two optically transparent flat sheets and wherein the thickness of said plastic film defines the optical pathlength of the cuvette; and

cutting the sandwich assembly to produce a plurality of individual cuvettes.

8. The method of producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 7 further comprising:

flat pressing the sandwich assembly to uniformly seal said two optically transparent substantially flat sheets to both sides of said plastic

9. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 8 wherein said configurations are perforatedly joined to adjacent configurations.

10. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cut-outs defining said optical chambers are removed after said plastic film is adhesively secured to one of said two optically transparent substantially flat sheets, but before said plastic film is adhesively secured to the other of said two optically transparent substantially flat sheets.

11. A method for producing an optical cuvette as set forth in claim 8 wherein said cut-outs defining said optical chambers are removed before said plastic film is first adhesively secured to one of said two optically transparent substantially flat sheets.