Coded cuvette for use in testing apparatus
AssigneeMedical Laboratory Automation, Inc.
InventorsJohn A. Froehlich, Eric S. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cuvette suitable for use with photometric blood testing apparatus and the like. The cuvette includes a receptacle having flanges on either side having locating holes therein. The flanges are flexible to enhance the positioning of the cuvette. Single and dual cuvette embodiments are described. The invention additionally includes means for encoding a cuvette for optical detection thereof by means of multiple facets which reflect light passing therethrough molded integrally in the flanges.
Claims15
A cuvette adapted for use in a photometric testing apparatus, comprising:
- a receptacle enclosing a sample-holding volume, open at the top side thereof, and including:
- a top section forming the top portion of the receptacle and having at least two opposite walls which are not parallel;
- a bottom section forming the bottom portion of the receptacle and including two optically clear walls substantially parallel to one another and positioned on opposite sides of the sample-holding volume, whereby an optical beam may be directed through the walls to pass through the sample;
- said top section having a greater volume capacity and being of different shape than the bottom section, the bottom section including a flat-bottom surface for the receptacle;
- and
- first and second flanges connected to the top section and extending outwardly from the receptacle in opposite directions, each flange including at least one positioning hole adapted to mate with corresponding locating pin.
A cuvette adapted for use in a photometric testing apparatus, comprising:
- receptacle enclosing a sample-holding volume, the receptacle including at least two optically transmissive portions through which a light beam may be directed so as to pass through a sample in the receptacle;
- and
- a flange extending from the receptacle so that the light beam may be directed through the flange and received by a photo-detector after passing through the flange;
- the flange including encoding means for refracting a light beam which passes therethrough so as to provide a photo-optically detectable code for the cuvette.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.