Polymeric device suitable for ultraviolet detection
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to a flow cell ( 10 ) comprising a fluid inlet ( 16 ) and a fluid outlet ( 18 ) separated by a sample flow-through chamber ( 12 ) comprising at least one UV-transparent window ( 22′ ), wherein the at least one UV-transparent window ( 22′ ) is made of a polymer material and has been subjected to Gamma radiation sterilisation. In one aspect, the flow cell is combustible.
1. A method for measuring UV absorption of a sample using a flow cell including a polypropylene material, the method comprising:
subjecting the flow cell to a Gamma radiation sterilization procedure;
conveying the sample through the flow cell;
transmitting UV light through the polypropylene material and through the sample; and
determining the UV absorption of the sample.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining is based on the transmitted UV light.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the determining includes measuring an intensity of the transmitted UV light.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the measuring includes detecting the transmitted UV light using a detector disposed adjacent to the flow cell.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure includes subjecting the flow cell to a dose of at least 10 kGy of Gamma radiation.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the flow cell includes at least one of (i) a circular wall made of polypropylene and (ii) a polypropylene window.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a UV transmission of the polypropylene material after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure does not vary by more than about 10% during an exposure to UV light for a period of about 72 hours.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein an optical power density during the exposure to UV light is about 0.6 μW/mm 2 .
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein a UV transmission of the polypropylene material after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure does not vary by more than about 10% during an exposure to UV light for a period of about 48 hours.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein an optical power density during the exposure to UV light is about 0.6 μW/mm 2 .
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polypropylene material has a UV transmission in the range of between 1% and 40% per mm at a wavelength of 280 nm after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein a UV-transmission of the polypropylene material is greater than 2% and less than 30% per mm after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein a UV-transmission of the polypropylene material is greater than 5% and less than 20% per mm after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein a UV-transmission of the polypropylene material is greater than 12% and less than 18% per mm after being subjected to the Gamma radiation sterilization procedure.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conveying includes delivering the sample to the flow cell in one of a chromatography system and a filtration system.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sealing the flow cell utilizing a sealing means.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conveying includes flowing the sample in at least one channel of the flow cell.
18. A flow cell for measuring UV absorption of a sample, the flow cell comprising:
polypropylene windows having been subjected to a Gamma sterilization procedure; and
a sealing means configured to provide an interface between the flow cell and (i) a fluidic port of one of a filtration and a chromatography system and (ii) a UV absorption detector module.
19. The flow cell of claim 18 , wherein the flow cell is combustible.
20. The flow cell of claim 18 , further comprising a chamber formed between the polypropylene windows, the chamber being configured to house the sample.