# US 2019/0170642 A1 · Array based sample characterization > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0170642 A1 - Document ID: US20190170642A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/184,516 - Filed: 2018-11-08 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-07 - Assignees: Malvern Panalytical Limited - Applicants: Malvern Panalytical Limited - Inventors: E. Neil LEWIS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190170642A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/53: within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke - G01N 15/1433: using image recognition - G01N 21/05: Flow-through cuvettes (G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10) - G01N 21/33: using ultraviolet light (G01N21/39 takes precedence) - G01N 21/41: Refractivity; Phase-affecting properties, e.g. optical path length (G01N21/21 takes precedence) - G01N 21/4133: {Refractometers, e.g. differential} - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 21/6454: {using an integrated detector array} - G01N 21/6458: {Fluorescence microscopy (fluorescence microscopes per se G02B21/0076 and G02B21/16)} - G01N 2201/06113: Coherent sources; lasers - G01N 2201/0636: Reflectors - G01N 2201/068: Optics, miscellaneous - G01N 2201/12: Circuits of general importance; Signal processing - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An optical sample characterization method is disclosed comprising: holding a sample in a sample container proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, wherein the sample container has a first end and a second end; setting up a gradient between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; illuminating the sample between the first end of the sample container and the second end of the sample container; and detecting light received from the illuminated sample from the first end of the sample container to the second end of the sample container by the two-dimensional an-ay assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 An optical sample characterization instrument, comprising: a sample holder, a first illumination source positioned to illuminate the sample in the sample holder, a second illumination source positioned to illuminate the sample in the sample holder, a first two-dimensional detector array positioned to detect light from the second illumination source that is transmitted through and not absorbed by the sample, and a second two-dimensional detector array positioned to detect light scattered by the sample from the first illumination source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the second two-dimensional array detector is positioned at an angle with respect to the first two-dimensional detector array. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the sample holder is a capillary tube and/or is placed against the first two dimensional array detector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein: i) the instrument is configured to switch or strobe the first and second illumination source, such that they interact separately with the sample and/or the second illumination source is a UV source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the instrument is configured to determine viscosity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the instrument is configured to determine refractive index using an output from the second detector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the instrument comprises image analysis logic, and is configured to determine molecular weight from an output from the second detector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, further comprising a separation column, wherein the first and second two-dimensional detector arrays are positioned to analyse the output from the separation column. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The instrument of claim 2, wherein the first and second illumination source are configured to illuminate a common or overlapping region of the sample, and the first two-dimensional light detector array and the second two-dimensional light detector array are positioned to detect light from the common or overlapping region. ### Claim 11 An optical sample characterization method, comprising: supporting a sample in a sample holder proximate at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, illuminating the sample, detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors in the array assembly, deriving information about a first characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the first subset of the detectors, detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors in the array assembly, and deriving information about a second characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the second subset of the detectors. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of supporting supports the sample proximate an two-dimensional array detector that includes a pair of detector arrays placed at an angle with respect to each other, and wherein the first characteristic is derived from a first of the detector arrays and the second characteristic is derived from a second of the detector arrays. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of deriving information about a first characteristic derives a scattering measurement for the sample; and wherein the step of deriving information about a second characteristic derives a transmission measurement for the sample. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of illuminating includes illuminating the sample with first and second different types of illumination, wherein the step of detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors detects light from the first type of illumination, and wherein the step of detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors detects light from the second type of illumination. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first type of illumination and the second type of illumination illuminate a region of the sample, and the step of detecting light received by a first subset of the detectors detects light from the region, and the step of detecting light received by a second subset of the detectors detects light from the region. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of supporting the sample supports the sample in a capillary tube and wherein the step of supporting the sample includes drawing the sample into the capillary tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of supporting the sample includes holding a flowing sample received from a separation column. ### Claim 18 An optical sample characterization instrument, comprising: at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly; a sample holder for supporting a sample proximate the at least one two-dimensional detector array assembly, a light source for illuminating the sample, wherein the instrument is configured to: i) detect light received by a first subset of the detectors in the array assembly and to derive information about a first characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the first subset of the detectors, and ii) detect light received by a second subset of the detectors in the array assembly, and to derive information about a second characteristic of the sample based on the light detected by the second subset of the detectors. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, wherein the sample holder is a capillary tube and/or is placed against the first two dimensional array detector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, wherein: i) the instrument is configured to switch or strobe the first and second illumination source, such that they interact separately with the sample and/or the second illumination source is a UV source. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, wherein the instrument is configured to determine viscosity. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, wherein the instrument is configured to determine refractive index using an output from the second detector. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, wherein the instrument comprises image analysis logic, and is configured to determine molecular weight from an output from the second detector. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The instrument of claim 18, further comprising a separation column, wherein the first and second two-dimensional detector arrays are positioned to analyse the output from the separation column.