Radiant energy – Luminophor irradiation – With ultraviolet source
Patent
1997-07-22
1999-04-20
Hannaher, Constantine
Radiant energy
Luminophor irradiation
With ultraviolet source
356318, 250373, G01N 2103, G01N 2164
Patent
active
058959203
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for detecting fluorescence in a light-illuminated sample medium in a cuvette tube in the analysis of the sample medium, wherein the device includes a light source placed on the outside of the cuvette tube and functioning to transmit light into the tube essentially at right angles to its longitudinal axis, and an optical element which is mounted on said tube and spaced from the light source in the longitudinal direction of said tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The detection of sample fractions is an important part of chemical analyses based on HPLC analysis (HPLC=High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and CE analysis (CE=Capillary Electrophoresis). Two procedures employed to this end are UV-absorption detection and fluorescence detection. It is known to use in the case of UV-absorption detection a light source which emits both UV light and visible light. In the case of fluorescence detection, the sample is irradiated with exciting light, therewith causing the sample molecules to fluoresce in a known manner. It is desirable to be able to perform the detection process in a measuring cell consisting of a narrow tube (capillary), both with regard to measuring absorption and fluorescence. In many cases, it is desired to effect the measuring process on-line, i.e. directly in the capillary tube, which forms a separation column for fractions of the sample medium flowing therethrough.
It is also known to perform UV-absorption detection by transmitting a light beam of appropriate wavelength through the cuvette tube, transversely to its longitudinal axis, and onto a photodetector placed on the opposite side of the tube, where the light intensity is detected. A decrease in light intensity between light source and photodetector will therewith constitute a measurement of the concentration of absorbent substances in the sample medium contained in the cuvette tube.
Different methods of increasing the optical path in absorbency measuring processes are also known to the art; Swedish Patent Specification No. 8100194-3 can be mentioned as an example in this respect. This publication discloses an arrangement in which mutually parallel light beams are emitted from a light source located at one end of a cuvette tube, and led into said tube through the medium of an optical element. Subsequent to its passage through the sample medium in the tube, the light is led out of the tube and light beams, which are parallel with the cuvette tube, are led into a detection device. The arrangement can also be used for fluorescence-detecting purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluorescence detecting device of particularly simple construction and therewith relatively cheap to produce. The novel device shall also enable detection to be achieved with a high degree of sensitivity and with the least possible disturbance of the analysis.
These objects are achieved by virtue of the optical element enabling light to be reflected against a rotational-elliptical or rotational-parabolic surface of said element, wherein at least a part of said element is in optical contact with the wall of the cuvette tube and has a refractive index which exceeds the refractive index of the sample medium, and wherein a photodetector is arranged to detect fluorescence light which, after passage in the cuvette tube, falls on said tube through the medium of the optical element. The light source is preferably placed on the outside of a straight part of the cuvette tube, and the optical element is a light-collecting element, for instance in the form of a tube-mounted sleeve made, for instance, of quartz or plexiglass and constructed to focus onto the photodetector fluorescence light that passes through the tube.
A fluorescence-light detecting device of this kind is particularly well suited for use in combination with a known UV-absorption detecting device, wherein certain parts of this latter device may also be used for the fluorescence-light de
REFERENCES:
patent: 5018866 (1991-05-01), Osten
patent: 5484571 (1996-01-01), Pentoney, Jr. et al.
Hannaher Constantine
Jiron Darren M.
LandOfFree
Device for detecting light fluorescence does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device for detecting light fluorescence, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for detecting light fluorescence will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2249194