Optical reagent format for small sample volumes
First Claim
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1. A method of using an optical format with an analyzing instrument, the method comprising:
- providing the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, a first portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light input of the input light guide and the input reflector, and a second portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light output of the output light guide and the output reflector;
mounting the optical format in the analyzing instrument; and
providing a fluid sample in the sample cavity, the optical format being mounted such that the sample cavity is spaced from the analyzing instrument and the fluid sample is outside of the analyzing instrument.
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Abstract
An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes with minimal variation in light path length among optical formats. The optical format is comprised of an input guide, an output guide, and a sample cavity adapted to allow light to pass through a sample on its way from the input guide to the output guide. A lid removed from the light pathway within the format may be provided with a reagent for assisting fluid analysis.
4 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of using an optical format with an analyzing instrument, the method comprising:
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providing the optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, a first portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light input of the input light guide and the input reflector, and a second portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light output of the output light guide and the output reflector; mounting the optical format in the analyzing instrument; and providing a fluid sample in the sample cavity, the optical format being mounted such that the sample cavity is spaced from the analyzing instrument and the fluid sample is outside of the analyzing instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18, 19)
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7. An optical format, comprising:
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an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, the input light guide having a light input; an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, the output light guide having a light output; and a sample cavity disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector, the sample cavity being configured to receive a fluid sample therein, an optical communication path being formed by the input light guide, the input reflector, the sample cavity, the output reflector, and the output light guide, a first portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between the light input and the input reflector, and a second portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between the light output and the output reflector, wherein the optical format is configured to be coupled with an analyzing instrument such that the sample cavity is spaced from the analyzing instrument and the fluid sample is outside of the analyzing instrument. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 20, 21)
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11. A system, the system comprising:
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an optical format including an optical communication path formed by an input light guide coupled with an input reflector, an output light guide coupled with an output reflector, and a sample cavity being configured to receive a fluid sample, a first portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light input of the input light guide and the input reflector, and a second portion of the optical communication path being continuous and closed between a light output of the optical light guide and the output reflector; and an analyzing instrument configured to be removably attached to the optical format, wherein the sample cavity is spaced from the analyzing instrument such that the fluid sample remains outside to the analyzing instrument when the analyzing instrument is attached to the optical format. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23)
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Specification