Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for providing material to be analysed for analysis by a light-emitting analysis device, the ar- rangement comprising a body having a first fastening member for fastening the body in relation to the analysis device and a sample space arranged to the body for the material to be analysed.

[0002] Prior art knows analysis methods based on light, in which light is directed at a sample to be analysed, the light causing in the sample phenomena resulting from the properties of the sample. An example of this type of phenomenon is a change in light wavelength due to changes in excitation states of atoms in the sample. In this specification the term 'light' is used to refer to radiation taking place in the wavelength range of infrared radiation, visible light and/or ultraviolet radiation of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0003] The above mentioned analysis methods may be based on absorbance, fluorescence, luminescence or imaging, for example. These analysis methods are abundantly used e.g. in diagnostic analyses, POC (point of care) tests, automated laboratory analyses and in sensor elements of regulation systems, for example, and in various other quantitative and qualitative analyses. The analysis is made on a sample which is in a liquid, gaseous or solid form or a combination of these. In addition to the material to be analysed the sample may contain different additives and intermediate agents, reagents, tracers, catalysts, etc. The sample is arranged into a sample space provided e.g. in a cuvette, well plate, microfluidic cassette, flow tubing, injection chan- nels, sample container, dosage container, dosage or measuring element, filter chamber, filter, gas conduit, reaction vessel, or the like. The analysis device directs to the sample space light that penetrates a wall of the sample space and the interaction of which with the sample causes a specific phenomenon in the sample.

[0004] In prior art analysis devices light from a light source is directed by mechanically adjustable lens arrangements to the sample space to be analysed. If there are a plural number of sample spaces or objects of analysis - as for example in a well plate - the light source or at least the lens arrangement must be moved to make the light hit each sample space at a time. [0005] A problem with the prior art solutions is that mechanically adjustable and implemented lens arrangements are complicated, liable to damage and expensive.

Brief description of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved arrangement.

[0007] The arrangement of the invention is characterised in that the body also comprises: a receiving part that receives light to be used in the analysis and allows it to pass and a guide part guiding the light that has passed through the receiving part to the sample space, the guide part being arranged to direct the light to be used in the analysis to the sample space.

[0008] According to an idea of the invention, the light to be used in the analysis may be directed to only a few, most preferably one, specific point or receiving part at the most.

[0009] An advantage of the invention is that light does not need to be directed to each sample space separately and therefore a light source or a related lens arrangement does not need to be moved from each sample space to the next during the analysis.

[0010] Light incoupling may be done from one receiving part or from a substantially smaller number of receiving parts than the number of sample spaces to be analysed. This reduces significantly the amount of mechanics needed to move the light and allows the expenditure on constructing the apparatus to be cut. Further, it is easier than before to place light-detecting means in an optimal manner, because less space is occupied by the mechanics needed for moving the light.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, the sample spaces are in what is known as a well plate format, e.g. arranged in an order known per se of 96 x 96. Light is coupled from the light source to the well plate from one receiving part or from a number of receiving parts substantially lower than that of the sample spaces. The light is directed from the receiving part to a wall of each sample space, i.e., a well. Each sample space has a light out- coupling from where light is guided in a pulse(s) to the material to be analysed that is in the sample space. The light excites a tracer in the material to be analysed. Light emitted from the sample spaces is detected by an arrangement based on a computer vision. The arrangement in question is unidirectional, light being guided to the sample space on one channel and out of the sample space for analysis on another channel.

[0012] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the sample spaces are arranged one after the other in a strip and attached to a frame. Light is guided from the light source to a receiving part arranged to the frame and from there the light is coupled to a sample space row. In the sample space the light is guided to the material to be analysed and detected on the opposite side either through a transparent wall or through a coupling to a detector in some other direction. This arrangement allows a what is known as a turbidometric measurement to be carried out.

Brief description of figures

[0013] Some embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail in the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an arrangement of the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic, partially cross-sectional side view of the arrangement of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a schematic, part cross-sectional side view of a second arrangement of the invention,

Figure 4 is a schematic end view of the arrangement of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a schematic top view of a third arrangement of the invention,

Figure 6 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of a fourth arrangement of the invention,

Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a fifth arrangement of the inven- tion,

Figure 8 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of a sixth arrangement the invention,

Figure 9 is a schematic top view of the arrangement of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a seventh arrangement of the invention, and

Figure 1 1 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of an eighth arrangement of the invention.

[0014] In the figures, some embodiments of the invention are shown simplified for the sake of clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like parts in the figures. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic top view and Figure 2 a side view of an arrangement of the invention.

[0016] The arrangement 1 comprises a well plate having a body 2 made of a polymer material. The body 2 has first fastening members 3 and twenty-four sample spaces 5 arranged thereto.

[0017] With the first fastening members 3 the arrangement 1 is fastened to an analysis device 4 depicted with broken lines in the figure. The number, position, shape, etc., of the first attachment members 3 that best suit the purpose may be selected and implemented in a manner known per se. The operation of the first attachment member 3 may be based on form-locking or friction locking, for example. The locking may be formed and opened preferably without tools.

[0018] The sample space 5 forms an integral part of the body 2. It is shaped in the form of a well plate well, or a sample space, known per se, in other words, the sample space 5 is a blind-ended space comprising an open top that may be closed and through which a sample to be analysed is taken into the sample space.

[0019] The body 2 may be transparent or non-transparent (to light used in the analysis). The light to be used in the analysis is visible light (wavelength about 350 to 700 nanometres), infrared radiation (wavelength about 700 nanometres to 1 millimetre) or ultraviolet radiation (wavelength about 100 to 380 nanometres) or a combination of these. The term "light" refers to all of these, unless otherwise specified.

[0020] Onto an outer surface of the body 2, on the same surface where the open ends of the sample space 5 open to, there is arranged a receiving part 6. This is a part made of a material that allows the light used in the analysis to pass. The receiving part 6 has a light-receiving or light incoupling surface 8 which may be substantially even. According to a second embodiment the structure of the incoupling surface 8 comprises a grate structure, i.e. a light incoupling grate. This type of structure is known per se, and will therefore not be described in more detail in this context. However, it should be mentioned that it comprises a specific grate profile guiding the light from the light source into the receiving part 6. [0021] The body 2 has also a guide part 7 arranged thereto, the guide part being arranged to receive light coming through the receiving part 6. The guide part 7 is arranged to distribute the light into the sample spaces 5.

[0022] Similarly as the receiving part 6, also the guide part 7 is made of a polymer material known per se, e.g. of PMMA or a corresponding material that allows light to pass well. The guide part 7 forms a light-carrying channel beginning from the receiving part 6, running past the sample spaces 5 to a lower part of the body 2 and turning under each sample space 5.

[0023] Light may propagate in the guide part 7 e.g. by total reflec- tion. Hence the optical density of the material of the guide part 7 may be higher than that of the material surrounding the guide part. The material surrounding the guide part may consist of the material of the body 2, the material of the coating arranged around the guide part 7, that of a film or a cover, etc.

[0024] The receiving part 6 and/or the guide part 7 may be of the same material as the body 2: they may have shapes and structures guiding the travel of light formed in them.

[0025] Alternatively, the receiving part 6 and/or the guide part 7 may be of a different material than the body 2. This kind of part 6, 7 may be provided by pressing, 2k or 3k injection moulding, welding, printing, adding to the body 2 a film or coating conducting light, such as an IMD (In Mould Decorating), IML (In Mould Labelling) or a glued film or the like.

[0026] Below the sample spaces 5 there is provided an outcoupling part 7' of the guide part, comprising shapes outcoupling light and allowing light to be transmitted from the guide part to the sample spaces 5. The outcoupling shape typically comprises a grate structure, i.e., an outcoupling grating. The outcoupling grating is a grate structure which guides light contained in the guide part 7 from the guide part 7 to the sample spaces 5. The structure of the outcoupling grate 7' may also be based on a prismatic structure or on a TIR (Total Internal Refraction) structure.

[0027] Light guided to the sample space 5 causes phenomena in the sample in the sample space that are monitored by one or more sensors of the analysis device 4. The sensors are not shown in the Figures. The cover closing the sample space 5 may be transparent to a wavelength to be monitored by a sensor. In that case the sensor may be arranged on top of the sam- pie space 5, for example. [0028] Figure 3 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional, side view of a second arrangement of the invention, Figure 4 providing an end view of the same.

[0029] The arrangement 1 comprises a well plate having a total of ten sample spaces 5. The sample spaces 5 are formed directly to the body 2 of the well plate, in other words the sample spaces 5 are a non-detachable part of the body 2.

[0030] The receiving part 6 and the incoupling surface 8 provided therein are in this case arranged at an end of the well plate. Light coming to the receiving part 6 is guided by the guide part 7 below the sample spaces 5, where it is guided into the sample spaces 5 by outcoupling grates. Depending on the applied model, the grates may be arranged either outside or inside the fluid space. However, it should be noted that the outcoupling grates are not shown in the figure.

[0031] The first attachment members 3 are arranged to the same end as the receiving part 6. The attachment members 3 fasten the body 2 relative to a light-emitting source. Since the attachment members 3 are in the immediate vicinity of the receiving part 6, the receiving part 6 can be positioned precisely to a correct location with respect to the light source.

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic top view of a fourth arrangement of the invention.

[0033] The arrangement 1 comprises a body 2 that forms a framework structure with space to receive four well plates shown by broken lines in the figure. The well plates may be as shown in Figure 3, for example. Howev- er, it should be noted that the sample spaces in a well plate may naturally be arranged in a single row as well.

[0034] The well plates are attached to the body 2 in a detachable manner using second attachment members 8. The second attachment members 8 serve to keep the well plates in place in relation to the body 2, most preferably by locking the well plates to make them stay in place in the body 2 irrespective of the position thereof. The operation of the second fastening members 8 may be based on form or friction locking or on the use of a separate fastening means, such as a screw or a wedge.

[0035] The body 2 may be attached to and re-detached from the analysis device by the first fastening members 3. It should be noted that the analysis device is not shown in the figure. [0036] The body 2 is provided with a guide part 7, a receiving part 6 and a light incoupling surface 8 belonging to the latter to guide the light coming to the receiving part 6 in the body 2. The light is further guided from the guide part 7 by an outcoupling part 7' towards the receiving part of the well plates ar- ranged to the body 2. The light may be guided further to the sample spaces in the well plate as described above, for example.

[0037] It should be noted at this point that the number and positioning of the sample spaces 5 in the well plate may be different than in the examples of the figure. According to an embodiment of the invention, a well plate has 96 sample spaces.

[0038] Figure 6 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of a fifth arrangement of the invention. The arrangement 1 comprises a cuvette, i.e., a measuring vessel known per se and used in optical measurements. The body 2 of the cuvette is made of a material that allows light to pass. The body 2 comprises a first fastening member 3 to allow the cuvette to be fastened in relation to the analysis device.

[0039] On one side of the body 2 there is formed a receiving part 6 for receiving light. This comprises an incoupling surface 8 provided with a grate structure, for example. The body part behind the receiving part 6 serves as a guide part 7 guiding light to the sample space 5.

[0040] Changes caused in the sample by the light are observed from the light coming from the sample space. The light to be analysed travels through an outcoupling part 10. This may be arranged e.g. to the body 2 - as in Figure 6 - or to a cover 1 1 of the cuvette, this alternative being shown in the figure by broken lines.

[0041] The outcoupling part 10 of the arrangement may comprise a grate structure guiding light to a desired direction relative to the analysis device and/or modifying light in a desired manner. The outcoupling part 10, the receiving part 6 and/or the guide part 7, for example the outcoupling part 7' of the guide part, may be provided with active or passive filter surfaces or elements modifying the light in an appropriate manner, for example by polarizing or filtering specific wavelength ranges therefrom. In addition, said parts may be provided with an active member reacting to light, such as a light cell, or a member converting solar energy to heat, electric voltage, electric current or chemically bound energy. [0042] The arrangement 1 may contain one or more cuvettes. An arrangement comprising a plural number of cuvettes is disclosed in Figure 7.

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic top view of an arrangement of the invention. The arrangement 1 comprises a total of eight cuvettes and sample spaces 5 arranged thereto. The cuvettes are an integral part of the body 2, which forms an elongated spine holding the cuvettes together.

[0044] The cuvettes may be closed by lids 1 1 attached to the body 2 by necks 12. The necks 12 are flexible and thus allow the lid 1 1 to be turned to close the opening of the cuvette. The arrangement 1 is made of a polymer material by injection moulding, for example.

[0045] The body 2 is provided with a light-emitting guide part 7 guiding light brought therein into the sample spaces 5 through a wall of the sample spaces. An end of the guide part 7 is provided with a receiving part 6, which in turn is provided with an incoupling surface 8. The guide part 7 and the receiv- ing part 6 are shown in the figure by a broken line.

[0046] Light may be guided away from the sample space 5 through the lid 1 1 or a cuvette wall, for example.

[0047] Figure 8 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of a sixth arrangement of the invention, Figure 9 providing a top view of the same. The sample space 5 in the body 2 forms a fluid channel network, which may be what is known as a microfluidic channel network. A microfluidic channel network refers to a flow channel suitable for managing microscopic fluid and/or gas flows. The channel network is made by grinding it to the body 2, for example, or the body 2 with its channels is made of a polymer material by injection moulding. The body 2 may be provided with a cover 16 that may be detachable from the body or form an integral part thereof.

[0048] A sample is fed into the sample space 5 through an inlet unit 13 and discharged from the sample space 5 through a discharge unit 14. The sample space 5 is thus a flow-through type space. In addition, the system 1 may comprise other units leading to the sample space 5, through which additives, such as reagents, tracers and catalysts, needed in an analysis may be fed unto the sample space 5. It is also possible to collect a sample into a collection tank arranged to the channel network without disturbing the continuous flow in the channels.

[0049] The sample space 5 comprises a measurement space 15 having a flow surface area greater than a preceding or subsequent portion of the sample space. Hence the flow rate of the sample is lower in the measurement space 15 than in other parts of the sample space 5. The analysis device is arranged to measure a sample that is in the measurement space 15 or properties of a portion of the sample. A winding part of the sample space 5 provided before the measurement space 15 is well suited for mixing the components of the sample to form the sample into a mixture of a uniform quality, and there is enough time for any reactions preceding the analysis to take place before the sample arrives at the measurement space 15. The analysis device, which monitors the movement of the fluid front, for example, may be placed to the most optimal location in the channel network.

[0050] The arrangement 1 comprises a light source 18 arranged to the body 2 to produce light needed in the analysis. The light source 18 is typically a led, although light sources of other types may be used as well. Naturally it is evident that also bodies 2 of other types of arrangements may be provided with a light source 18.

[0051] The light used in the analysis is guided to the sample space 5 through the receiving part 6 and the guide part 7. The light makes the sample react, radiation generated as a result of the reaction being analysed by sensors directed to the measuring space 15. It should be noted that the sensors are not shown in the figures.

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a seventh arrangement of the invention. The arrangement 1 in question is known as a lab- on-a-chip (LOC), i.e., a small arrangement meant for analysis of microscopical fluid and/or gas flows. In this case a side of the body 2 is some centimetres long, although the invention may also be applied to smaller LOC arrangements. The LOC arrangement may contain one or more integrated functions, i.e., analyses and sample processing steps related thereto. Examples of these functions include PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and Real-Time PCT functions. The progress of these functions may be monitored by tracers reacting to light, for example.

[0053] The sample space 5 of the LOC arrangement in Figure 10 comprises five different inlet units 13, from which samples are fed by turns through five supply channels 21 to a sample chamber 15, from where they are discharged to a collection tank 22. The samples flowing in the different supply channels may be of the same or a different composition. In each supply channel 21 a sample may be processed independently of the other sample spaces: for example, a first reagent may be fed into a first supply channel 21 and a second reagent into a second supply channel 21 . Likewise, different supply channels 21 may be provided with substances needed for the analysis already before the sample is fed. It should be noted that this possibility is naturally also available in connection with the solutions disclosed in the other figures.

[0054] The receiving part 6 is arranged to an edge of a chip and the guide part 7 to extend to a side of the sample chamber 15, although naturally this is not the only alternative for placing the guide part 7: it may be placed on top of the sample chamber 15 or below it, for example, and the receiving part 6, correspondingly, on top of the sample chamber 15, below it or on an edge of the chip, etc.

[0055] The analysis may also be subjected to a sample in the collection tank 22. In that case the same alternatives as above are available for the positioning of the receiving part 6 and the guide part 7.

[0056] In addition, the LOC arrangement may comprise an electronics part 17, such as a circuit board with its components, arranged on a surface of a body 2 containing the sample spaces 5. The electronics part 17 typically comprises not only electric components but also optical and/or optoelectric components for measuring light coming from a sample.

[0057] Figure 1 1 is a schematic, partly cross-sectional side view of an eight arrangement of the invention.

[0058] The arrangement 1 comprises a body 2, which may be made of metal of a polymer material, for example. Arranged to the body 2 there is a resilient packing 19 at least partly made of a material that allows light to pass. The packing 19 may be e.g. a bio-processing bag, such as a fermentation bag, or the like. The packing 19 forms a sample space 5.

[0059] The body 2 forms a space 20 receiving the packing. The body 2 may be part of another device, such as a mixer plate and/or tray of a mixer used for preparing or maintaining mixtures, a support structure belonging to a dosage device or part of a filling or emptying arrangement for a packing. The body 2 is provided with a guide part guiding light to the sample space 5, the guide part being coupled to the receiving part 6.

[0060] The receiving part 6 receives light guided through the guide part through a translucent wall of the packing into the sample space 5.

[0061] The body 2 also comprises an outcoupling part 10 of the arrangement, through which light coming from the sample space 5 is guided out of the arrangement 1 . The outcoupling part 10 is coupled to a light guiding part not shown in the figure. The light in- and outcoupling parts may be integrated into one and the same member or window.

[0062] A spacious body 2 may well be provided with a light source, for example, whose light is guided to the sample space.

[0063] In some cases, features disclosed in this application may be used as such, irrespective of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, the features disclosed in this application may be combined to provide various combinations.

[0064] The drawings and the related description are only intended to illustrate the idea of the invention. The details of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims. Hence the body and/or the sample space may be disposable or reusable after sterilisation or a similar cleaning. The material to be analysed may be liquid or gaseous, for example. One of the simplest em- bodiments of the sample space is a cuvette with a light-conducting receiving part and guide part arranged to its fastening and/or support member for guiding light through a wall of the cuvette into the material to be analysed.

[0065] Reference numerals

1 arrangement

2 body

3 first fastening member

4 analysis device

5 sample space

6 receiving part

7 guide part

T outcoupling part of guide part

8 incoupling surface

9 second fastening member l Ooutcoupling part of arrangement

1 1 lid (of cuvette)

12neck

13inlet unit

14outlet unit

15 measurement space

16 cover

17 electronics part

18light source (LED)

19packing

20 space receiving packing

21 supply channel

22collection tank