JP7475760B1 - Optical cell and concentration measuring device equipped with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical cell for storing a sample when measuring the concentration of the sample by absorptiometry, which can improve workability and measurement accuracy compared to conventional optical cells. The optical cell 2 is used in a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a sample by absorptiometry, and stores a sample, and includes a storage section 21 having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in a horizontal cross section, and a protrusion 24 extending outward from a side surface of the storage section 21 along the longitudinal direction along the lateral direction.

Description

The present invention relates to an optical cell for containing a sample when measuring the concentration of the sample by absorptiometry, and a concentration measuring device equipped with the same.

In medical settings, medical instruments used in surgeries and other procedures are cleaned, sterilized, and reused, but when cleaning endoscopes, for patient safety, it is stipulated that visible dirt must be wiped off and then the instruments must be cleaned with a specified concentration of high-level disinfectant (Reference: "Guidelines for Standardization of Cleaning and Disinfection of Gastrointestinal Endoscopes" issued by the Japan Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy and the Japanese Association of Infectious Diseases).
Since the disinfectants used for cleaning are relatively expensive, they are generally used repeatedly a certain number of times or for a certain period of time, and when they are used, their concentration is measured to ensure that they have the specified concentration.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to an apparatus for measuring the concentration of such a disinfectant solution by absorptiometry.

JP 2005-69969 A

Concentration measuring devices that measure the concentration of a sample by absorptiometry are equipped with an optical cell for containing the sample. The optical cell is detachable from the device and is replaced after each use (disposable), and is the part that the user touches most frequently during measurement work.
This is the part that contains the sample and also affects the measurement accuracy.
Thus, the optical cell is a component that affects workability and measurement accuracy, and an optical cell that can improve these points is desired.

In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an optical cell that can improve workability or measurement accuracy, and a concentration measuring device equipped with the same.

(Configuration 1)
In a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of a sample by absorptiometry, an optical cell in which the sample is contained comprises a container section having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in a horizontal cross section, and a convex portion extending outward from the longitudinal side of the container section along the lateral direction.

(Configuration 2)
The optical cell according to configuration 1, wherein the convex portion forms a short extension portion extending outward along a short direction in the bottom shape of the container portion.

(Configuration 3)
3. The optical cell according to claim 1, wherein the container portion has a substantially rectangular shape in horizontal cross section, and the protrusion portion is formed so as to extend a side surface along a short direction of the substantially rectangular shape.

(Configuration 4)
An optical cell according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, comprising an injection port portion formed at an upper end of the optical cell, the cross-sectional area of the horizontal cross section being larger than that of the storage portion.

(Configuration 5)
The optical cell of configuration 4, further comprising an introduction portion having a horizontal cross-sectional area larger than that of the storage portion and positioned between the inlet portion and the storage portion.

(Configuration 6)
The optical cell according to configuration 5, wherein the side surface of the container section and the introduction section opposite to the side surface on which the protrusion is formed is formed as a continuous flat surface.

(Configuration 7)
A concentration measuring device including the optical cell according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, the concentration measuring device including a receiving portion for receiving the optical cell, the receiving portion having a recess for receiving the convex portion only in a predetermined direction.

(Configuration 8)
The concentration measuring device according to configuration 7, further comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed at positions facing each other on a side surface along a short side direction of the storage unit, and configured to irradiate light onto the sample along the long side direction of the storage unit and receive light that has passed through the sample.

(Configuration 9)
9. The concentration measuring device according to claim 8, further comprising a sample temperature sensor disposed at a position facing a side surface along a longitudinal direction of the container.

(Configuration 10)
10. The concentration measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the height of an optical path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit is positioned within a height range of a measurement target range of the sample temperature sensor.

(Configuration 11)
11. The concentration measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the sample temperature sensor is provided so as to face a side surface opposite to a side surface on which the protrusion is formed.

(Configuration 12)
A concentration measuring device described in any of configurations 8 to 11, which is provided with a cell insertion sensor arranged below the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit and facing the storage unit, and after the cell insertion sensor detects the insertion of the optical cell, a process is performed to obtain transmittance or absorbance information of the optical cell itself as a reference using the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

(Configuration 13)
A concentration measuring device described in any of configurations 9 to 12, which is provided with a sample detection sensor arranged above the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit and facing the storage unit, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the sample detection sensor detects the injection of a sample into the optical cell, executes a process of acquiring temperature information using the sample temperature sensor, and a process of acquiring transmittance or absorbance information of the sample using the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

The optical cell of the present invention or a concentration measuring device equipped with the same makes it possible to improve workability or measurement accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a concentration measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a concentration measuring device according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an optical cell according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an optical cell according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical cell according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a receiving portion of an optical cell of a concentration measuring device according to an embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cell holder unit of a concentration measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing operation of a concentration measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is one form for realizing the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1 is an oblique view showing the appearance of a concentration measuring device of an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the concentration measuring device of the embodiment.

The concentration measuring device 1 of the present embodiment is a concentration measuring device that performs concentration measurement based on measurement of temperature and transmittance or absorbance for a disinfectant such as a glutaral aqueous solution or a phthalaral aqueous solution having a correlation between temperature, transmittance or absorbance, and concentration, and
an optical cell 2 for containing a disinfectant;
a radiation temperature sensor 103 that functions as both a sample temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the disinfectant and an environmental temperature sensor for measuring the environmental temperature;
A light emitting unit 141 and a light receiving unit 142 which are optical sensors for measuring the transmittance or absorbance of a disinfectant solution;
A storage unit 102 in which various data and programs necessary for the operation of the device are permanently or temporarily stored;
an input unit 105 that is provided with input means such as a power button 1051 and operation buttons and serves as a user interface;
an output unit 106 that is provided with a display screen 1061, an indicator, and other output means and serves as a user interface;
a cover 107 that covers the optical cell 2 so as to prevent light from entering the device from outside when the optical cell 2 is attached to the device;
A lid sensor 171 that senses whether the cover 107 is opened or closed;
A cell insertion sensor 182 for detecting that the optical cell 2 is attached to the device;
A sample detection sensor 181 that detects that a sample (disinfectant) has been injected into an optical cell 2 attached to the device;
A control/calculation unit 101 that controls each part of the device, performs various calculation processes, and also functions as a concentration measurement unit;
It is equipped with:
With regard to the above reference to "transmittance or absorbance," absorbance is the logarithm of the reciprocal of transmittance, and the difference between transmittance and absorbance does not bring about a conceptual difference in the application of the present invention (for example, when treated as absorbance, a conversion based on the above relational expression can be performed), and therefore, hereinafter, it will be simply referred to as "transmittance."

3 to 5 are diagrams showing the optical cell, respectively: FIG. 3(a): perspective view seen from above, FIG. 3(b): perspective view seen from below, FIG. 4(a): top view, FIG. 4(b): right side view, FIG. 4(c): left side view, FIG. 4(d): front view, FIG. 4(e): rear view, FIG. 4(f): bottom view, FIG. 5(a): cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4(c), FIG. 5(b): cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 4(d), FIG. 5(c): cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 4(d), and FIG. 5(d): cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4(d).
The optical cell 2 is a container formed of a material that transmits the light emitted by the light emitting unit 141, and contains about several cc of a sample (disinfectant). The optical cell 2 is detachable from the concentration measuring device 1, and is basically a disposable member.
The optical cell 2 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
A container 21 for containing a sample, which is located at the lower side of the optical cell 2 and has a shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in a horizontal cross section;
An injection port 23 formed at the upper end of the optical cell 2, the cross-sectional area of which (the outer diameter shape of the horizontal cross section) is larger than that of the storage section 21;
an introduction portion 22 that is formed such that a cross-sectional area (an outer diameter shape of the horizontal cross section) is larger than that of the storage portion 21 and smaller than that of the injection port portion 23 and is located between the injection port portion 23 and the storage portion 21;
a protrusion 24 extending outward from a side surface along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 21 along a lateral direction;
The configuration includes the following:

In this embodiment, the storage section 21 has a substantially rectangular shape in horizontal cross section, and the introduction section 22 has a substantially square shape in horizontal cross section. The injection port section 23 connected to the introduction section 22 has a rounded square shape at its upper end. Between the storage section 21 and the introduction section 22, and between the introduction section 22 and the injection port section 23, there are shape transition sections whose shape gradually changes from one cross-sectional shape to the other cross-sectional shape.
The optical cell 2 of this embodiment, having the above-mentioned configuration, is excellent in operability for injecting a sample, and can maintain measurement accuracy while reducing the amount of sample required for measurement.
That is, the injection port 23 has a rounded square shape that is close to a circle, which provides excellent operability when injecting a sample using a pipette or syringe. Also, by making the cross section of the storage section 21 rectangular, the capacity of the storage section 21 into which the sample is placed is reduced (specifically, the capacity is reduced from about 5 ml to about 2 ml). The reduction in the amount of liquid that must be injected not only improves operability, but also has the effect of preventing the disinfectant from being wasted.
In addition, since the housing 21 has a rectangular cross section, i.e., has a longitudinal direction in a horizontal cross section, the optical path length for measurement by the optical sensor can be secured, and therefore, it is possible to maintain the measurement accuracy while reducing the capacity. Furthermore, since the housing 21 has a longitudinal shape (i.e., has a wide side surface area), it is possible to secure the measurement area for the radiation temperature sensor 103, and therefore, it is possible to maintain the measurement accuracy while reducing the capacity.
In addition, because the capacity is reduced and the surface area per volume is greater due to the rectangular cross section than a square cross section, the thermal equilibrium of the disinfectant is reached more quickly (thermal equilibrium is reached more quickly in cases where the temperatures of the optical cell and the disinfectant are different).
The accommodation section 21, which has a rectangular cross section, is configured to be offset to one side (the right side) relative to the introduction section 22, which has a square cross section, so that the side surface (right side surface) opposite to the side surface on which the convex portion 24 of the accommodation section 21 and the introduction section 22 is formed is formed as a continuous flat surface. This allows one side surface (right side surface) of the accommodation section 21 and the introduction section 22 to be formed as a continuous flat surface without any irregularities, increasing the degree of freedom in installing the radiation temperature sensor 103 at a position opposite to this side surface.

In this embodiment, the convex portion 24 is formed to extend the side (back) along the short direction of the accommodating portion 21, and forms a short extension portion that extends outward along the short direction of the accommodating portion 21 in the bottom shape of the accommodating portion 21 (see Figure 4 (f)).
The convex portion 24 constitutes a short-side extension portion that extends the short-side direction of the container portion 21 at the bottom of the optical cell 2, thereby improving the stability when the optical cell 2 is stood upright.
Furthermore, the convex portion 24 is not rotationally symmetrical in a cross-sectional view of the optical cell 2, and the receiving portion 109 of the concentration measuring device 1 described below has a shape corresponding to this, so that the optical cell 2 can always be attached in a constant direction. Since the insertion direction of the optical cell is always constant, the stability of the measurement accuracy is improved.

The concentration measuring device 1 has a receiving portion 109 into which the optical cell 2 is inserted.
6(a) is a diagram showing the state in which the cover 107 of the concentration measuring device 1 is open, FIG. 6(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the receiving portion 109, and FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing the state in which the optical cell 2 is attached in FIG. 6(b).
The receiving portion 109 has a shape corresponding to the outer diameter shape of the optical cell 2, and has a recess 191 that receives the convex portion 24 of the optical cell 2 only in a specified direction so that the optical cell 2 is always attached in a specific direction.
Since the receiving portion 109 has a shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the optical cell 2, the optical cell 2 can be attached at a fixed position without rattling in the concentration measuring device 1. This improves the stability of the measurement accuracy.
The receiving portion 109 is provided with a marking 192 that indicates the correct insertion direction of the optical cell 2. By providing a marking that imitates the cross-sectional shape of the optical cell 2 (indicating the direction of the protrusion 24), usability is improved.

The radiation temperature sensor 103 is provided at a position facing the area of the optical cell 2 attached to the concentration measuring device 1 in which the disinfectant is placed, and measures the temperature of the sample (disinfectant) in a non-contact manner.
The radiation temperature sensor (sample temperature sensor) 103 is disposed on a side surface along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation section 21 of the optical cell 2 when the optical cell 2 is attached to the concentration measuring device 1, facing the side surface (right side surface) opposite to the side surface on which the convex portion 24 is formed. As described above, the right side surface of the accommodation section 21 is formed as a continuous flat surface without irregularities, and by disposing the radiation temperature sensor 103 at a position facing this side surface, the degree of freedom in installing the radiation temperature sensor 103 is increased. In addition, since the right side surface of the accommodation section 21 is a surface along the longitudinal direction and has a large area, it is easy to ensure an area for measurement by the radiation temperature sensor 103.
The radiation temperature sensor 103 is connected to the control and calculation unit 101 , and the reading of the sensor value and the like are controlled by the control and calculation unit 101 .

The light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142, which are optical sensors for measuring the transmittance of the disinfectant, are each positioned so that the optical axis of the light-emitting unit 141 passes through the disinfectant in the optical cell 2 and so that the light-receiving unit 142 can receive the light that has passed through the disinfectant.
The light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 are arranged at positions facing the side surface along the short direction of the storage unit 21 of the optical cell 2 when the optical cell 2 is attached to the concentration measurement device 1, and are configured to irradiate light onto the sample along the longitudinal direction of the storage unit 21 and receive light that has passed through the sample. In this embodiment, the light-emitting unit 141 is arranged at a position facing the back surface of the storage unit 21, and the light-receiving unit 142 is arranged at a position facing the front surface of the storage unit 21.
In addition, the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 are arranged so that the height of the optical path from the light-emitting unit 141 to the light-receiving unit 142 is within the height range of the measurement area (measurement range) of the radiation temperature sensor (sample temperature sensor) 103.
In this example, the light-emitting unit 141 is arranged to face one side (back side) of the optical cell 2, and the light-receiving unit 142 is arranged to face the opposite side (front side), with the optical path being within the height range of the measurement target range of the sample temperature sensor; however, the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 may be arranged in any manner as long as they are configured to receive light that has passed through the disinfectant.
The light emitting unit 141 is connected to the control and calculation unit 101 via a driver circuit 1411 that drives light emission, and the timing of light emission and the like are controlled by the control and calculation unit 101 .
The light receiving unit 142 is also connected to the control and calculation unit 101, and the control of reading the sensor value and the calculation process of the transmittance based on the sensor value are performed by the control and calculation unit 101.

Figures 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the cell holder unit which holds the optical cell 2 to be inserted into the device and the substrate on which each sensor is mounted, where Figure 7(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view, and Figure 7(b) is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in Figure 7(a).
7, the light emitting unit 141 and the light receiving unit 142 are configured to irradiate the disinfectant solution AS, which is a sample, with light along the longitudinal direction of the storage unit 21 and to receive the light transmitted through the disinfectant solution AS. This ensures the optical path length for measurement by the optical sensor, and therefore makes it possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the transmittance of the disinfectant solution AS while reducing the volume.
The radiation temperature sensor 103 is disposed on a surface (a surface having a large area) along the longitudinal direction of the accommodation portion 21, facing the surface opposite to the surface on which the protrusion 24 is formed.
Furthermore, the radiation temperature sensor 103, the light emitter 141 and the light receiver 142 are disposed at the same height, and "the optical path is within the height range of the measurement target range of the sample temperature sensor".
With this configuration, the liquid temperature in the optical path (i.e., the portion where the transmittance is measured) can be measured, so that the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Both the sample detection sensor 181 and the cell insertion sensor 182 are composed of optical sensors (light emitting portion and light receiving portion).
7A, the cell insertion sensor 182, which is a sensor for detecting that the optical cell 2 has been attached to the device, is disposed below the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 and in a position facing the storage unit 21. By being disposed below the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142, it is ensured that the optical cell 2 is present in a position facing the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 when the optical cell 2 is detected by the cell insertion sensor 182.
The sample detection sensor 181, which is a sensor for detecting that the disinfectant solution AS has been injected into the optical cell 2 attached to the device, is disposed at a position above the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 and facing the storage unit 21. By being positioned above the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142, it is ensured that the disinfectant solution AS is present in the optical cell 2 at a position facing the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 when the disinfectant solution AS in the optical cell 2 is detected by the sample detection sensor 181.
Both the sample detection sensor 181 and the cell insertion sensor 182 detect the insertion of the optical cell 2 and the injection of the disinfectant AS by a change in reflectance (light receiving level at the light receiving section).
The sample detection sensor 181 and the cell insertion sensor 182 are connected to the control/calculation unit 101, and the control of the reading of the sensor value (and the light emission for that purpose) and the above-mentioned judgment processing based on the sensor value (change in reflectance) are performed by the control/calculation unit 101.

The input unit 105 and output unit 106, which are user interfaces, can use any input interface such as a button, a touch panel, or a voice input unit, or any output interface such as a visual display device such as an indicator or a display screen, or an auditory output unit such as a speaker.
The input/output unit is not limited to an interface for a user, but may be any input/output unit for inputting and outputting information between the device and another device.

The lid sensor 171 is also composed of an optical sensor (light-emitting section and light-receiving section) and is positioned opposite the cover 107 in the closed state. It detects whether the cover 107 is opened or closed by changes in reflectance (light receiving level at the light-receiving section).
The lid sensor 171 is also connected to the control/calculation unit 101, and the control/calculation unit 101 controls the reading of the sensor value (and the light emission for that purpose), and determines whether the cover 107 is open or closed based on the sensor value (change in reflectance).
In this embodiment, the cell insertion sensor 182 and the lid sensor 171 are configured by optical sensors, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cell insertion sensor and the lid sensor may be configured by a sensor that detects a physical contact state.

The memory unit 102 stores (permanently or temporarily stores) programs for executing the processes described below, and data necessary for executing the processes described below (as well as various other data and programs necessary for the operation of the device).
The storage unit 102 may be any storage device capable of permanently or temporarily storing this information.

The control/calculation unit 101 controls each part of the device and performs various calculation processes, and is configured using any semiconductor device that performs calculation processes and is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), such as a microcomputer. The control/calculation unit 101 has a function of executing the processes described below with reference to FIG. 8 while controlling each sensor, etc., based on a program stored in the storage unit 102.
Although not shown in the figure, it goes without saying that the control/calculation unit 101 is connected to each unit via an A/D conversion circuit, various filter circuits, etc. as necessary (circuits are provided appropriately to make the signals appropriate for input/output to the control/calculation unit 101).
Here, an example is given in which the processing units for each function are implemented in software on a general-purpose device (configured by a program running on the control/calculation unit 101), but some or all of each function may also be configured in hardware (for example, by a dedicated IC, etc.).

Next, the processing operation of the concentration measuring device 1, mainly related to the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG.
When an instruction to start the concentration measurement process is given, for example, by pressing the power button 1051, the process of FIG. 8 is executed.
In step 801, a process is executed to display on the display screen 1061 a message instructing the user to set an empty optical cell 2 in the concentration measuring device 1.
In the next step 802, it is monitored whether or not the optical cell 2 has been inserted based on the sensor value of the cell insertion sensor 182. Until the optical cell 2 is inserted, the message display process of step 801 is continued (step 802: No -> step 801), and when it is determined that the optical cell 2 has been inserted (step 802: Yes), the process proceeds to step 803.

In step 803 after the empty optical cell 2 is set in the concentration measuring device 1, a calibration process of the optical sensor (light emitting unit 141 and light receiving unit 142) is executed. This calibration involves measuring the transmittance (reference) of the empty optical cell 2, and calibrating the measurement by the optical sensor based on the value obtained thereby (a value specific to the empty optical cell 2). Since the optical cell 2 is assumed to be disposable and is replaced with a different (new) optical cell each time, the sensor is calibrated based on the transmittance specific to each optical cell 2 to improve the accuracy of the measurement. The calibration process itself is based on the same calculation method as in the past, and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted here.
Steps 802 and 803 perform "processing for acquiring transmittance or absorbance information of the optical cell itself as a reference by the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit after the insertion of the optical cell is detected by the cell insertion sensor."
In addition, if it is determined in the processing of step 802 that an optical cell already containing disinfectant has been set in the device, error processing may be performed, such as displaying a warning message requesting the insertion of an empty cell.

When the optical sensor calibration process is completed, the process proceeds to step 804, where a message instructing the user to inject disinfectant into the cell is displayed on the display screen 1061.
In the next step 805, it is monitored whether or not the required amount of disinfectant has been injected into the optical cell 2 based on the sensor value of the sample detection sensor 181. The message display process in step 804 is continued until the required amount of disinfectant has been injected into the optical cell 2 (step 805: No -> step 804), and if it is determined that the required amount of disinfectant has been injected (step 805: Yes), the process proceeds to step 806, where timer 1 is started (timekeeping begins). Note that, although an example is shown here in which timer 1 is started after the required amount of disinfectant has been injected into the optical cell 2, timer 1 may also be started after the cover 107 is closed (timekeeping begins after step 808).

In the next step 807, a message instructing the user to close the cover 107 is displayed on the display screen 1061.
In the next step 808, it is monitored whether or not the cover 107 is closed based on the sensor value of the lid sensor 171. The message display process in step 807 is continued until the cover 107 is closed (step 808: No -> step 807), and when it is determined that the cover 107 is closed (step 808: Yes), the process proceeds to step 809.

In step 809, it is determined whether or not the timer 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the timer 1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step 810 for determining the concentration.
The process of step 809 is a process of waiting for a predetermined time after the disinfectant is injected into the optical cell 2 .
Immediately after the injection of the disinfectant, the measured values of temperature and transmittance may vary due to liquid convection, air bubbles, etc. Or, if there is a difference between the temperature of the cell and the temperature of the disinfectant, the liquid temperature may not be stable immediately after the injection of the disinfectant. The process of step 809 improves the accuracy of the measurement of the transmittance and liquid temperature by performing the measurement after a predetermined time has elapsed (after waiting for the injected disinfectant to settle).
The "predetermined time" may be determined appropriately depending on the configuration of the device and the problem to be solved. For example, to solve the problem of liquid movement or air bubbles immediately after injection of the disinfectant, the time may be set to about 10 to 15 seconds.

In step 810, a concentration determination process is performed.
In this process, the transmittance and temperature of the disinfectant (and the environmental temperature, if necessary) are measured, and the concentration of the disinfectant is calculated based on these measured values. The process of calculating the concentration based on the measured transmittance and temperature is based on the same calculation method as in the past, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.
Steps 805-810 perform "acquisition of temperature information by the sample temperature sensor, and acquisition of transmittance or absorbance information of the sample by the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, a predetermined time after the sample detection sensor detects the injection of the sample into the optical cell."

In step 811, a process is performed to output the concentration measured in step 810 from the output unit 106.
The output process may be one in which an indicator displays whether or not a specified concentration (e.g., 0.3%) is met (e.g., turning on a Fail or Pass lamp) or one in which the concentration is specifically displayed as a numerical value.

As described above, according to the optical cell 2 of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the workability and measurement accuracy.
Specifically, since the injection port 23 has a rounded square shape that is nearly circular, the operability of injecting a sample into the optical cell using a pipette or syringe is excellent.
Furthermore, by making the container 21 rectangular in cross section, the volume of the container 21 into which the sample is placed can be reduced, improving workability and preventing waste of disinfectant.
In addition, since the storage section 21 has a longitudinal direction in a horizontal cross-sectional view, the optical path length for measurement by the optical sensor can be secured, and the measurement accuracy is improved while the capacity is reduced.
In addition, by having a longitudinal shape (i.e. having a wide side surface area), a measurement area for the radiation temperature sensor 103 can be secured, and therefore the measurement accuracy is improved while the capacity is reduced.
Since one side surface (right side surface) of the storage section 21 and the introduction section 22 is formed as a continuous flat surface without any irregularities, there is a high degree of freedom in installing the radiation temperature sensor 103 in a position opposite this side surface.
The convex portion 24 forms a short extension portion that extends outward along the short side of the storage portion 21 in the bottom shape of the storage portion 21, thereby improving the stability when the optical cell 2 is stood upright.
Furthermore, since the convex portion 24 is a convex portion that is not rotationally symmetrical in a cross-sectional view of the optical cell 2 and the receiving portion 109 of the concentration measuring device 1 has a shape corresponding to this, the optical cell 2 can always be attached in a constant direction. Since the insertion direction of the optical cell is always constant, the stability of the measurement accuracy is improved.

Furthermore, the concentration measuring device 1 including the optical cell 2 of this embodiment also improves workability and measurement accuracy.
Specifically, the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142 are positioned so that their optical path is located within the height range of the measurement area of the radiation temperature sensor 103, thereby making it possible to measure the liquid temperature in the optical path (i.e., the part where the transmittance is measured), thereby improving the measurement accuracy.
The sample detection sensor 181, which is positioned below the light-emitting part 141 and the light-receiving part 142, can detect a state in which the optical cell 2 is present in a position opposite the light-emitting part 141 and the light-receiving part 142, and the calibration process is performed automatically, improving workability and measurement accuracy.
The cell insertion sensor 182, which is disposed above the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142, can detect a state in which the presence of disinfectant in the optical cell 2 is guaranteed at a position (on the optical path) opposite the light-emitting unit 141 and the light-receiving unit 142. In addition, the lid sensor 171 detects that the cover 107 is closed and automatically executes the concentration measurement process (conversely, the concentration measurement process is not executed unless the cover 107 is closed), improving workability and measurement accuracy.

In the embodiment, the convex portion 24 of the optical cell 2 is formed from the top to the bottom along the storage portion 21 (i.e., a plate-shaped or blade-shaped member), but the present invention is not limited to this (the convex portion is not limited to a plate-shaped or blade-shaped member). As long as the convex portion is at least a "convex portion extending from the side along the longitudinal direction of the storage portion to the outside along the short direction", it can obtain the effect of specifying the insertion direction of the optical cell, and may be formed only in a part of the height direction of the storage portion 21. In this case, by making the convex portion form a "short extension portion" on the bottom surface portion, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the self-supporting property of the optical cell, as in the embodiment.
Furthermore, the number of convex portions is not limited to one, and multiple convex portions may be provided as long as they are not rotationally symmetrical in a horizontal cross section.
In this embodiment, the protrusion 24 is formed so as to extend the side surface (rear surface) along the short direction of the storage section 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the protrusion may be at least a "protrusion extending outward along the short direction from the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the storage section. For example, it may be a protrusion formed so as to extend outward along the short direction from near the center of the side surface along the longitudinal direction of the storage section.

In the embodiment, a concentration measuring device that measures the concentration of disinfectants such as an aqueous glutaric acid solution or an aqueous phthalic acid solution is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the concept of the present invention can be applied to any measuring device that measures samples using optical cells such as those used in absorptiometry.

In the embodiment, a radiation temperature sensor, which is a non-contact temperature sensor, is used as an example of the temperature sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any temperature sensor, such as a contact type temperature sensor such as a thermocouple, can be used.

1. Concentration measuring device 101. Control and calculation unit 102. Storage unit 103. Radiation temperature sensor (sample temperature sensor)
141. . . Light-emitting part 142. . . Light-receiving part 109. . . Receptacle part 191. . . Recess 181. . . Sample detection sensor 182. . . Cell insertion sensor 2. . . Optical cell 21. . . Storage part 22. . . Introduction part 23. . . Injection port part 24. . . Convex part (short extension part)

Claims (9)

A concentration measuring device for measuring the concentration of a sample by absorptiometry, comprising a storage section having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in a horizontal cross section, a convex portion extending outward from a side surface along the longitudinal direction of the storage section along the lateral direction, and an optical cell in which a sample is stored, the concentration measuring device comprising a receiving section for receiving the optical cell, the receiving section having a concave portion for receiving the convex portion only in a predetermined direction. 2. The concentration measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit disposed opposite a side surface along a short side direction of the storage unit, configured to irradiate light onto the sample along a long side direction of the storage unit and receive light that has passed through the sample . The concentration measuring device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sample temperature sensor disposed at a position facing a side surface along a longitudinal direction of the container. 4. The concentration measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the height of an optical path extending from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion is positioned within a height range of a measurement target area of the sample temperature sensor. 4. The concentration measuring device according to claim 3 , wherein the sample temperature sensor is provided so as to face a side surface opposite to the side surface on which the protrusion is formed. a cell insertion sensor disposed below the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit and facing the storage unit;
The concentration measuring device according to claim 2 , further comprising: a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that, after the insertion of the optical cell is detected by the cell insertion sensor, executes a process of acquiring transmittance or absorbance information of the optical cell itself as a reference using the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit . a sample detection sensor disposed above the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit and facing the container unit;
4. The concentration measuring device according to claim 3, further comprising: a sample temperature sensor for acquiring temperature information; and a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit for acquiring transmittance or absorbance information of the sample, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit for acquiring temperature information. In a concentration measurement device for measuring the concentration of a sample by absorptiometry, an optical cell for containing the sample is provided,
A storage section having a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction in a horizontal cross section;
A protrusion extending outward from a side surface along a longitudinal direction of the storage portion along a lateral direction;
An injection port part formed at an upper end of the optical cell, the horizontal cross-sectional area of which is larger than that of the storage part;
an introduction section having a horizontal cross-sectional area larger than that of the storage section and positioned between the injection port section and the storage section;
Equipped with
An optical cell, wherein a side surface of the storage section and the introduction section opposite to a side surface on which the protrusion is formed is formed as a continuous flat surface. The optical cell according to claim 8 , wherein the convex portion is a plate-like or blade-like member.

Images