One or more homogenizing elements are employed in a flow through, multi-detector optical measurement system. The homogenizing elements correct for problems common to multi-detector flow-through systems such as peak tailing and non-uniform sample profile within the measurement cell. The homogenizing elements include coiled inlet tubing, a flow distributor near the inlet of the cell, and a flow distributor at the outlet of the cell. This homogenization of the sample mimics plug flow within the measurement cell and enables each detector to view the same sample composition in each individual corresponding viewed sample volume. This system is particularly beneficial when performing multiangle light scattering (MALS) measurements of narrow chromatographic peaks such as those produced by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

A cuvette carrier comprising: a plurality of walls defining a holding volume for a cuvette; a first and second transmissive region included in the plurality of walls; and a first optical polariser arranged to polarise light passing through the first transmissive region.

A flow cell for optical measurement capable of accurately measuring light emitted from particles, which is caused by a laser light provided into the flow path. A flow path block having a substantially cuboid shape and made of a transparent material is detachably interposed between a pair of a fluid medium inlet block and a fluid medium outlet block, and a light absorbing surface of the fluid medium inlet block and a light absorbing surface of the fluid medium outlet block are pressed against both end surfaces of the flow path block, respectively. The flow path is provided along a central axis of the flow path block to penetrate through the flow path block between the both end surfaces, and optical windows are detachably provided in outer end opening portions of extended flow paths along the central axis, to seal the outer end opening portions. Inlet and outlet paths for the fluid medium are provided along an introduction axis which intersects the central axis in the vicinity of the outer end opening portions.

The present invention is a cuvette assembly for use in optically measuring at least one characteristic of particles within a plurality of liquid samples. The cuvette assembly comprises a main body having internal walls and external walls, and a plurality of cuvettes within the main body at least partially being defined by the internal walls. Each of the plurality of cuvettes has a liquid-input chamber for receiving a respective one of the plurality of liquid samples, a filter, and an optical chamber for receiving a respective filtered liquid sample caused by passing the respective one of the plurality of liquid samples through the filter. Each of the optical chambers includes an entry window for allowing transmission of an input light beam through the filtered liquid sample and an exit window for transmitting a forward scatter signal caused by the particles within the filtered liquid sample.

In the field of consumable materials for automatic analytical instruments, transparent plastic cuvettes having increased scratch resistance and a method for producing same includes contacting exclusively an outer surface of the transparent plastic cuvette with a liquid comprising at least one surfactant or with a triglyceride and subsequently drying the outer surface such that scattered-light optical properties of the transparent plastic are not adversely affected.

A system for detecting at least one variable of a liquid sample (2) being moved in a container (1) during a biological or chemical process is disclosed. The container (1) comprises a bottom (5), a plurality of walls (3.sub.1, 3.sub.2), and an opening (4) opposite the bottom (5). A wall (3.sub.2) forms an obtuse angle () with the adjacent walls (3.sub.1) respectively. A reflection element (7) is formed on the wall (3.sub.2). A measuring unit (10) has a radiation source (11). A sensor (12) is assigned to the bottom (5) of the container (1) in such a way that a beam (11E) emerging from the radiation source (11) is directed to the reflection element (7) and from there through the wall (3.sub.2) to the sample in the container (1). The bottom (5) is transparent to a wavelength range of a radiation (11A) emerging from the sample (2). The sensor (12) of the measuring unit receives radiation (11A) from the sample (2). A device and a method for detecting at least one variable of liquid samples (2) during a biological or chemical process are also provided by the invention.

A new liquid flow cell assembly for light scattering measurements is disclosed which utilized a floating manifold system. The assembly operates with minimal stacked tolerances by aligning the cell to the windows within a manifold and independently aligning the cell to the read head directly. This configuration enables the ability to replace the flow cell or the flow cell/manifold assembly within a light scattering instrument without the need to realign the flow through elements with the light scattering illumination source while still maintaining reproducible, quality data. Some embodiments employ wide bore cells which enable the measurement of process analytic technology (PAT) including online monitoring of reactions.

In the field of consumable materials for automatic analytical instruments, a method for producing transparent plastic cuvettes with increased scratch resistance includes contacting exclusively an outer surface of the transparent plastic cuvette with a liquid comprising at least one surfactant or with a triglyceride and subsequently drying the outer surface such that scattered-light optical properties of the transparent plastic are not adversely affected.

A cuvette carrier comprising: a plurality of walls defining a holding volume for a cuvette; a first and second transmissive region included in the plurality of walls; and a first optical polarizer arranged to polarize light passing through the first transmissive region.

There is provided a microchip including at least two substrates each comprising a thermoplastic resin, and at least one member comprising a material having a heat distortion temperature higher than a heat distortion temperature of the thermoplastic resin, the at least one member including at least one engagement end including a protrusion extending between the at least two substrates, wherein the at least one member is fixed to the at least two substrates by the protrusion being held between the at least two substrates by at least one wall surface that is thermally deformed by thermocompression.