초록 ▼

A modular flow cell having a high optical throughput, a long optical path length and a small cross-section. The modular flow cell configuration includes remote ports or connections for liquid and light input, and liquid and light output. The flow cell includes a flow cell body having two ends, each

A modular flow cell having a high optical throughput, a long optical path length and a small cross-section. The modular flow cell configuration includes remote ports or connections for liquid and light input, and liquid and light output. The flow cell includes a flow cell body having two ends, each with a respective end interface secured thereto. The flow cell is configured to form a part of a modular flow cell assembly. The flow cell body includes a channel having a through-aperture with an inner surface. A light guiding material, e.g. a transparent fluoropolymer material having a refractive index less than the refractive index of common chromatography solvents, is disposed proximate to the channel to form a light guiding through-aperture in the flow cell body. The channel is formed of materials that can provide the necessary mechanical strength and a fluid seal, and more particularly, includes materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which can develop a fluid seal at the interface between the flow cell body end and each end interface.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flow cell for containing a fluid sample and exposing the fluid sample to radiation for analysis, the flow cell comprising:a flow cell body having a through-aperture with an inner surface, and having a first end and a second end, said flow cell body having a plastic comp

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flow cell for containing a fluid sample and exposing the fluid sample to radiation for analysis, the flow cell comprising:a flow cell body having a through-aperture with an inner surface, and having a first end and a second end, said flow cell body having a plastic composition allowing said flow cell body to be molded around a light guiding member;a light guiding member fixed to said inner surface of said flow cell body 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 wetted surface to reflect into said fluid sample;a first end interface disposed proximate to said end of said flow cell body and a second end interface disposed proximate to said second end of said flow cell body, each of said first and second end interface comprising a light transmitting member; andan inlet and an outlet fluid transmitting member disposed in one of said flow cell body and light guiding member or said first or second end interface. [14.] 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; andsecuring said first end interface and said second end interface to form said flow cell body. The method of claim 14 wherein said light transmitting member comprises an optical fiber and said fluid transmitting member comprises a capillary tube. The flow cell of claim 14 wherein said light guiding member is a tubular member of an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene. The method of claim 1 wherein said flow cell body is made from polyetheretherketone. The method of claim 14 wherein said chamber is formed by a fused silica tube and said light guiding member is a coating of an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene disposed on an inner surface of said chamber. The method of claim 14 wherein said light guiding member is a coating of an amorphous copolymer of perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3 dioxole and tetrafluoroethylene disposed on said inner surface of said chamber.