Micro-cuvette unit for facilitating the identification of samples

Abstract

There is disclosed a micro-cuvette unit comprising a plurality of components in the form of a matrix which is arranged so that the cuvettes may be handled as one unit. The structural body of the micro-cuvette unit comprises a rectangular frame which is designed so that a plurality of cuvette components may be fitted to the frame, one after another. Each cuvette component comprises a plurality of cuvettes arranged in the form of a line or matrix and connected to each other directly or by means of support discs. The frame part of the micro-cuvette unit is open in the middle, at least within the area covered by the cuvettes in the cuvette components. The frame part contains two opposite sides which are provided with connecting means for joining the cuvette components to the frame part. These connecting means are different on different sides of the frame part and on different sides of the cuvette components so that their positions in relationship to each other may be readily determined and so that the identification of samples may be facilitated.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A micro-cuvette unit comprising a plurality of cuvettes in the form of .[.a matrix arranged.]. .Iadd.rectangularly shaped cuvette components .Iaddend.so that said cuvettes may be handled as .[.one unit.]. .Iadd.a unit, .Iaddend.wherein the structural body of the micro-cuvette unit comprises a rectangular frame part .Iadd.having a rectangular opening .Iaddend.which is designed so that a plurality of .Iadd.rectangular .Iaddend.cuvette components may be fitted .[.to.]. .Iadd.into .Iaddend.said frame one after the other, each .Iadd.rectangular .Iaddend.cuvette component comprising a plurality of cuvettes arranged in the form of a line or matrix and connected to each other directly or by means of .[.sufficient discs whereby.]. .Iadd.support discs, .Iaddend.said .Iadd.rectangular opening of said .Iaddend.frame part .[.is.]. .Iadd.being .Iaddend.open in the middle .Iadd.thereof .Iaddend.at least within the area covered by said cuvettes in said .Iadd.rectangular .Iaddend.cuvette .[.components and.]. .Iadd.components, .Iaddend.wherein said .Iadd.rectangular .Iaddend.frame part contains two opposite sides which are provided with connecting means for joining said cuvette components to said frame .[.part.]. .Iadd.part, and .Iaddend.wherein said connecting means between said frame part and said cuvette components are different on different sides of said frame part and on different sides of said cuvette components respectively so as to determine the positions of said cuvette components in relation to each other and to facilitate the identification of samples placed within said cuvettes and preventing said samples from becoming intermixed with one another. 
     
     
       2. The micro-cuvette unit of claim 1 wherein said unit comprises several cuvettes in the form of a matrix arranged so that they may be handled as one unit, said micro-cuvette unit comprising a rectangular frame part, designed so that two or more cuvette components may be fitted to said frame one after the other, each cuvette component comprising a plurality of cuvettes which each contain at lest one optical window in its bottom portion, said cuvette being made of a plastic material which is non-transparent to light measurement except through said optical window. 
     
     
       3. The micro-cuvette unit of claim 1 wherein each cuvette of said cuvette component comprises an optical window in the bottom of said cuvette, said window being protected underneath by a collar that requires said optical window to be narrower than the diameter of said cuvette bottom on order to protect said optical window from scratches and fingerprints and to restrict the diffusion of light. .Iadd. 
     
     
       4.  The micro-cuvette unit as described in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprise said support discs on the edges of said cuvette components and recesses on said frame for receiving said support discs. .Iaddend. .Iadd.5. The micro-cuvette unit as described in claim 4, wherein said recesses are provided with openings to facilitate lowering or raising said cuvette components into or out of said frame. .Iaddend. .Iadd.6. The micro-cuvette unit as described in claim 1, wherein each cuvette unit has a separate readable code whereby identification of each cuvette unit is facilitated. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. The micro-cuvette as described in claim 1, wherein said rectangular cuvette component comprises a matrix of cuvettes. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The micro-cuvette unit as described in claim 1, wherein said rectangularly shaped cuvette component is comprised of a plurality of cuvettes arranged in a line. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The micro-cuvette unit as described in claim 1, wherein each cuvette is coated with protein. .Iaddend.