Stabilisation features
Inventors
Barrett, Brian • Tuohy, Patrick • Ryan, Caitriona • McCabe, Mark
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10143989-B2
Publication Date
2018-12-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for making and handling liquid samples are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to stabilization features for immobilizing a composite liquid cell in a hydrophobic-walled vessel. The vessel snugly contains a composite liquid cell of a predetermined size and defines a central portion and a vertical axis.
The vessel includes at least one channel portion whose walls are continuous with the wall defining the vessel. The at least one channel portion is adapted to flow gas away from the central portion, and the vessel has a cross-sectional shape that comprises the cross-sectional shape of the at least one channel portion.
Geometric embodiments described include a central portion with gas-escape channel portions, a frustoconical void, multiple symmetrically placed channels, and diamond/cloverleaf-type cross-sectional arrangements. Hydrophobic vessel/wall structures encourage gas exit away from the central portion to improve immobilization and repeatability of optical detection.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers one inventive feature set for immobilizing a composite liquid cell in a hydrophobic-walled vessel.
Hydrophobic vessel snugly containing a composite liquid cell
A hydrophobic wall defines a vessel that defines a central portion sized and shaped to snugly contain a composite liquid cell of a predetermined size.
Vertical axis and continuous-walled channel portion for gas flow
The vessel defines a vertical axis and defines at least one channel portion adapted to flow gas away from the central portion, the channel portion having walls continuous with the wall defining the vessel.
Overall vessel cross-sectional shape comprises channel portion shape
The vessel has a cross-sectional shape that comprises the cross-sectional shape of the at least one channel portion.
Together, the claims define a hydrophobic-walled vessel with a central portion that snugly contains the composite liquid cell and includes at least one continuous-walled channel portion adapted to flow gas away from the central portion, with a vessel cross-sectional shape incorporating the channel cross-sectional shape.
Stated Advantages
Improved immobilization.
Improved optical detection repeatability, evidenced by reduced intensity standard deviation of intensity counts for gas-stabilized designs versus no features.
Documented Applications
Optical detection of immobilized composite liquid cells during handling and thermal processing where gas trapped in or produced by the composite liquid cell can otherwise affect stability and measurement repeatability.
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