Flow cell, analyte measurement apparatus and methods related thereto

A method for making a flow cell, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first and a second end interface each including a light transmitting member, a fluid transmitting member and an interface housing capturing each of said light transmitting member and said fluid transmitting member;
• forming a flow cell body by heating a plastic material to a temperature at which said plastic material is injection moldable,
• forming a through aperture with an inner surface, by disposing a light guiding member and fluid transmitting member in a flow cell interface molding tool to form an aperture in said flow cell body;
• injecting said plastic material into said flow cell end interface molding tool;
• cooling said plastic material;
• and
• securing said first end interface and said second end interface to form said flow cell body.

A System for analyzing a fluid sample comprising

• a radiation source;
• a sensing device for sensing radiation;
• a flow cell assembly including a flow cell for containing a fluid sample and for exposing the fluid sample to radiation from said radiation source for analysis, said flow cell comprising,
• a molded flow cell body having a through-aperture with an inner surface,
• a light guiding member disposed and fixed to said aperture inner surface by molding and having a wetted surface defining a chamber for receiving one or more fluids, said wetted surface comprised of a amorphous fluoropolymer having a refractive index less than the refractive index of said fluid sample to direct light impinging on said interior surface to reflect into said fluid sample;
• a first end interface and a second end interface, each of said first and second end interface comprising a light transmitting member;
• and
• inlet and outlet fluid transmitting members disposed in one of said flow cell body or first or second end surface.