Multi-cuvette autosampler for photo-optical measurements

摘要

A motorized multi-cuvette rotatable carousel positions cuvettes around a stationary axis. A rotatable cuvette holder plate positions cuvettes in the carousel. The cuvette holder plate has spring tensioning elements that hold cuvettes in a precise position within the cuvette holder plate. A cuvette positioning arm is attached to the rotatable carousel assembly. The positioning arm geometrically positions the cuvette for depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence testing.

主权项

1. A cuvette positioning system comprising:
a motorized rotation stage assembly having a rotatable carousel assembly and a positioning arm assembly, the motorized rotation stage assembly having a motorized translation stage to linearly position the motorized rotation stage assembly in relation to an excitation light source; the rotatable carousel assembly having a plurality of cuvettes around a central shaft, each cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes having a lower wall, an upper wall, a plurality of sidewalls, an opening, and a cavity; the plurality of cuvettes positioned in a cuvette holder plate within the carousel assembly, the cuvette holder plate having a plurality of flexible spring tension arms set against the plurality of sidewalls of the plurality of cuvettes, the plurality of spring tension arms biasing the sidewalls of each of the plurality of cuvettes towards a position substantially parallel with the central shaft, thereby preparing the position of each cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes such that when the rotatable carousel assembly rotates an individual cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes to a testing location, the cuvette positioning arm assembly can engage the individual cuvette; the cuvette positioning arm assembly having a cuvette positioning arm connected to a cuvette positioning arm post, the cuvette positioning arm aligning an individual cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes in a particular measurement position such that the plurality of cuvette sidewalls are at a particular measurement angle, thereby setting the position of the individual cuvette in the testing location such that the particular position of the individual cuvette is repeatable for each individual cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes when the each individual cuvette is placed into the testing location by the rotatable carousel assembly; and a cuvette positioning lip connected to the cuvette positioning arm wherein the cuvette positioning lip has a plurality of tongues.