Reaction vessel and method for the handling thereof

Abstract

A cuvette for an automatic analyzing apparatus according to the invention includes at least two positions, for each position pair one separating wall connecting the positions, and brackets, which are at the outermost positions and which guide the cuvette into a curved shape. In a handling method of a cuvette according to the invention a cuvette is transported from its brackets to an incubator and bent into a curved shape. In the method the cuvette is then loaded into an opening of the incubator, in which opening it remains by its own spring back factor, until the cuvette is removed from the opening after the analysis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12 / 993,710 filed on Nov. 19, 2010, which is the national phase of PCT International Application No. PCT / FI2009 / 050450 filed on May 27, 2009, and which claims priority to Application No. 20085509 filed in the Finland on May 28, 2008. The entire contents of all of the above applications are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a new type of a reaction vessel, i.e. a cuvette, for usage in automatic analyzers and to a cuvette incubation method. More precisely, the present invention relates to a cuvette and an incubation method according to the preambles of the independent claims.[0004]2. Description of Background Art[0005]As known, disposable and reusable cuvettes have been used in automatic analyzers as individual cuvettes or as sets of cuvettes. Cuvettes are vessels into which a s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an improved cuvette and a handling method thereof. The cuvette has two positions connected by a separating wall and at least one bracket at the outermost positions able to support the cuvette and yield elastically when pressed inward. The separating walls allow for the elastic bending of the cuvette about its vertical axis. The cuvette can be used in apparatuses that automatically analyze samples and can be easily transported to an incubator without scratching its vulnerable optical surfaces. The handling method is reliable and cost-effective. The brackets and separating walls also ensure even temperature distribution during the test sequence in the cuvette."

Problems solved by technology

The cleaning of the cuvettes between the tests is laborious due to the properties of the cleaning products and to the potentionally dangerous substance to be removed.

However, the prior art has some disadvantages.

The cuvettes according to prior art are usually suitable to be used in only one application, whereby they have not been suited to be used in several different types of analyzers and incubators.

The known cuvette-incubator-pairs have included a plurality of maneuvers and precision mechanics and thus, not being particularly robust in structure nor in operation.

This is why there have been gratuitous delays in receiving patient or sample specific results.

Likewise, the abundance of maneuvers has resulted in that the sample-carrying cuvettes being exposed to several contacts, which has worn their outer surfaces.

In some cases excess wear has have impaired the optical properties of the clear vessels.

The wear and tear is especially intensive when the vessels are being washed, which is disadvantageous only with reusable cuvettes.

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