JPH08278247A - Flow cell assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a flow cell assembly by which an analyzed result with small variance can be obtained without stagnating a fluid inside a flow cell. CONSTITUTION: A flow cell assembly is used when the characteristic of a continuously flowing fluid is detected. The flow cell assembly is provided with a slender-diameter introduction passage 118 for the fluid, with a flow cell 112 whose diameter is larger than that of the slender-diameter introduction passage 118 and with a flow regulation part 122 which is formed between the slender- diameter introduction passage 118 and the flow cell 112, whose diameter is nearly identical to that of the flow cell and which comprises a plurality of holes 134 (134a, 134b). The fluid is introduced into the flow cell 112 through the respective holes 134 at the flow regulation part 122 from the slender- diameter introduction passage 118.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow cell assembly, and more particularly to improvement of a fluid introduction mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a fluid to be measured continuously flows out from a liquid chromatograph, the fluid to be measured is introduced into a flow cell, and the characteristics of the fluid are examined by a desired detector. An example of such a flow cell is shown in FIG. In the figure, the effluent 1 from the liquid chromatograph
0 is introduced from below the quartz glass square flow cell 12. When the excitation light L1 is incident on the one side surface 12a of the flow cell 12 from the light source 14 and the measured outflow liquid 10 in the flow cell 12 emits fluorescence, fluorescence L2 obtained from a direction orthogonal to the excitation light L1 is emitted. It is detected by the detector 16.

With the flow cell 12 constructed as described above, the fluorescent substance existing in the effluent 10 flowing out from the liquid chromatograph can be continuously measured. By the way, in order to prevent the sample separated by the column from diffusing in the pipe, the pipe connecting the column and the flow cell has an inner diameter of 0.25 mm or less. Therefore, at the normally used flow rate of 0.5 to 3.0 ml / min, the average flow velocity in the pipe is as high as 17 to 100 cm / sec.

The quartz cell used for the flow cell has a volume of 10 to 50 μl and is used as a standard cell in a liquid chromatograph. From this capacity, the size of the flow cell is 1.5 × 1.5 (dimension in the plane perpendicular to the flow direction) × 5.0 mm (dimension in the flow direction) to 3.0 × 3.
The thing of about 0 × 5.0 mm is used. Although increasing the capacity of the flow cell improves the sensitivity of the detector, for example, two components sufficiently separated by the column coexist in the flow cell, and the chromatogram in which the signal output from the detector is recorded shows 2 The components of the flow cell may not be sufficiently separated, and the quantification may not be performed accurately. Therefore, the capacity of the flow cell must be set to the above-mentioned level.

As described above, since the diameter of the pipe connecting the column and the flow cell and the diameter of the flow cell are largely different from each other, the flow cell and the pipe are usually connected as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the flow cell 12 and the pipe 18 are connected to the flow cell retainer 20 by an inlet side member 22. As is clear from the figure, an opening 20a into which the pipe 18 is inserted is provided at the center of the flow cell pressing portion 20, and an inlet side member 22 is fitted to the upper portion of the opening 20a in the figure, which is slightly large. A diameter opening 20b is provided. The pipe 18 and the inlet-side member 22 positioned by the openings 20a and 20b are connected to each other through the conductive paths 18a and 22.
a is fixed so as to communicate with each other. On the other hand, the flow cell 12
Is closely attached so that the lower end opening 12b thereof is pressed against the inlet side member 22.

[0006]

When a buffer solution is used as the mobile phase of a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), salts in the buffer solution are deposited on the inner surface of the pipe connecting the column and the flow cell, The flow cell may be damaged if the pipe is clogged or the liquid is sent while the pipe is clogged. In addition, if the device is not used for a long time, mold or the like may be generated, and the pipe may be clogged or the flow cell may be damaged. If the pipe is clogged, it is relatively easy to obtain a new pipe. Therefore, for example, a user who is not a skilled maintenance worker usually replaces the clogged pipe with a new pipe. Further, when the flow cell is damaged, a user who is not a skilled maintenance person usually replaces the damaged flow cell with a new flow cell.

However, when the pipe or the flow cell is exchanged, there is a problem that the peak separation performance is significantly lowered. To investigate the cause of this issue,
The present inventors conducted the following tests. That is, Table 1 below shows the comparison results (groups A and B) of the case where a dedicated tool is used when adjusting the mounting position of the flow cell and the case where the mounting position of the flow cell is visually adjusted instead of the dedicated tool. It is shown. In addition, Table 1 shows the comparison results (groups C and D) of the case where the burrs generated when the end face of the inlet side of the pipe was processed were removed sufficiently and the case where they were not removed sufficiently. There is.

In this analysis system, acetonitrile was used as a mobile phase, 0.1% benzene was used as a sample, and a reverse phase column was used to elute the sample with little retention in the column for the purpose of verifying diffusion inside the cell. It was a condition.

<Comparison items> A: When a dedicated tool is used to adjust the mounting position of the flow cell B: When the mounting position of the flow cell is visually adjusted instead of the dedicated tool C: The end surface of the inlet side of the pipe is processed When the burrs generated at the time are sufficiently taken D: When the burrs generated at the time of processing the inlet end face of the pipe are not taken sufficiently <Evaluation method> In this analytical system, the theoretical plate value of the benzene peak ( NTP), which is expressed by
It is represented by 2.

## EQU1 ## NTP = (t _R / σ) ²

## EQU2 ## σ = A / (√ (2π) * H), where t _R is the retention time of the benzene peak, A is the area value of the benzene peak, and H is the height value of the benzene peak.

[0010]

[Table 1] ──────────────────────────────────── Comparison items Conventional flow cell ───── ──────────────────────────────── A group 5,600 B group 4,100 C group 5,450 D group 3, 950 ─────────────────────────────────────

For example, in FIG. 3, when replacing the pipe 18, the inlet side end face 18c having an inner diameter of 0.25 mm or less must be machined. Therefore, for a user who does not have a skilled skill, it is not possible to sufficiently remove the burrs generated when the inlet side end surface 18c is processed, and it is not possible to uniformly process the flow path surface shape of the pipe 18. . And
As is clear from Table 1, when the processing accuracy of the inlet side end surface 18c of the pipe 18 cannot be sufficiently controlled and the flow path surface shape is not uniform, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid flowing in the flow cell 12 becomes non-uniform. There is.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, even if the diameter of the inlet side end face 18c is made larger than that of the inlet side end face shown in FIG. Although it was possible to reduce the diffusion of the sample to some extent, it could not be said that the flow velocity distribution of the fluid flowing in the flow cell 12 could be made uniform.

On the other hand, even if it is a skilled worker, it is very difficult to sufficiently remove the burrs generated when the inlet side end face 18c of the pipe 18 having an inner diameter of 0.25 mm or less is removed. If the machining accuracy of the inlet-side end surface 18c is increased to the extent that the flow velocity distribution of the flowing fluid is not non-uniform, the production cost will increase and the cost cannot be reduced.

As described above, the size of the flow cell is 1.5 × 1.5 (the size of the plane perpendicular to the flow path direction) ×
5.0 mm (dimension in flow direction) to 3.0 x 3.0 x
The size is about 5.0 mm, which is very small. Therefore, when replacing the flow cell, the mounting position must be adjusted within a range of 1 mm or less, which is a very difficult work for a user who does not have a dedicated tool and skilled skills. Then, as is clear from Table 1 (Groups A and B), if the attachment position of the flow cell is not properly adjusted, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid flowing in the flow cell may be nonuniform.

When the user performs maintenance on the apparatus in this way, the flow velocity distribution of the fluid flowing in the flow cell may become non-uniform in any case. When the flow velocity distribution of the fluid flowing in the flow cell becomes non-uniform, the two components sufficiently separated by the column as described above coexist in the flow cell, and in the chromatogram in which the output is recorded from the detector, The components are not sufficiently separated and the quantification cannot be performed accurately.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable that the repair is requested to a skilled maintenance worker instead of the user. However, compared with the case where the maintenance is performed by the user, the skilled worker waits for the repair. This is not a good solution as it requires more days and wages to pay for the skilled worker. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to reduce the generation of scattered light and impair the separation performance even when the user performs maintenance of, for example, a pipe or a flow cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide a replaceable flow cell assembly capable of performing characteristic analysis of a fluid without using it.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a flow cell assembly according to the present invention comprises a small-diameter introducing passage for a fluid, and a flow cell having a diameter larger than the small-diameter introducing passage.
A rectifying portion provided between the small diameter introducing passage and the flow cell, having a diameter substantially equal to that of the flow cell and having a plurality of holes, and a fluid passing through each hole of the rectifying portion from the small diameter introducing passage. It is characterized by being introduced into a flow cell. In addition, in the flow cell assembly, an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface are both rectangular prisms, and the rectangular flow cell is formed in a hollow shape. The rectifying unit has at least four parts in the portions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular flow cell. It is preferred to arrange the holes.

In the flow cell assembly, the fluid to be measured is introduced from below the rectangular flow cell,
It is preferable that the incident light is incident from one surface of the rectangular flow cell and the fluorescence emitted from the surface adjacent to the incident surface is detected. Further, the flow cell assembly has a flow cell pressing portion which is crimped to a lower opening of the flow cell, and the flow cell pressing portion has an opening into which the small-diameter introducing passage is detachably inserted, and the opening of the opening. It is preferable that an opening into which the rectifying portion is fitted is provided on the flow cell side so that the flow cell and the small-diameter introduction path can be replaced.

Further, in the flow cell assembly, when the dimension of a plane perpendicular to the flow path direction of the flow cell is a × a in the case of a rectangular flow cell and φ = a in the case of a cylindrical flow cell, It is preferable to be configured so as to satisfy the conditional expression of a ≦ 3.0 mm. Further, in the flow cell assembly, it is preferable that the gap between the small-diameter introducing passage opening and the rectifying portion is 2 mm or less.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Since the flow cell assembly according to the present invention is provided with the rectifying portion as described above, the fluid flowing from the small-diameter introducing passage is introduced into the flow cell through the plurality of holes by the rectifying portion. . Here, by introducing the fluid from the small diameter introducing passage into the flow cell through the rectifying part, when the flow cell or the small diameter introducing passage is replaced, the position of the flow cell attachment may not be adjusted properly. Even if the burrs generated on the inlet-side end surface of the small-diameter introducing passage are not sufficiently removed, the fluid flows properly.

The flow cell assembly uses a rectangular flow cell in which both the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface are formed in the shape of a hollow quadrangular prism so that the reflection when the excitation light enters the flow cell is fixed. Reduces the generation of scattered light. Moreover, by disposing at least four holes in the portions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular flow cell, the proper flow of the fluid is performed in the flow cell, and the separation performance is significantly improved.

Further, the flow cell assembly has a flow cell pressing portion which is crimped to a lower opening thereof, and the flow cell pressing portion has an opening into which the small diameter introducing passage is detachably inserted, and the opening. By providing an opening into which the rectifying portion is fitted on the flow cell side, the flow cell and the small-diameter introduction path can be exchanged. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a flow cell assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a portion corresponding to the above-mentioned FIG.

In FIG. 4, the flow cell 112 is sandwiched between the lower flow cell pressing portion 120 and the upper flow cell pressing portion 130 via the inlet side member 122 and the outlet side member 132. FIG. 5 shows a joint portion of the flow cell 112 and the pipe (small diameter introducing passage) 118 in this embodiment, and FIG. 6 shows an inlet side member (rectifying portion) 122 which is a characteristic portion of this embodiment. There is.

As shown in the figure, the inlet side member 122 according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of holes 134 with the central portion removed.
a, 134b ... And the inlet side member 1
A gap 136 of about 0.5 mm is formed between the bottom surface 122a of 22 and the tip surface 118b of the pipe 118.
When the gap 136 exceeds 2 mm, the opening 13
6 is unfavorable because it causes retention of the liquid in No. 6.

The flow cell assembly according to this embodiment is constructed as described above, and its operation will be described below. First, when the fluid to be measured supplied through the pipe 118 reaches the gap 136, it is jetted at high speed from the tip of the pipe 118, but hits the bottom surface of the inlet-side member 122,
It does not enter the flow cell 112 at high speed,
After filling the gap 136, it enters into the flow cell 112 from the corner portion of the bottom surface of the rectangular flow cell through the plurality of holes 134.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with the conventional one in which one hole is provided in the central portion, the flow velocity distribution is made uniform, so that the flow cell 1 from each hole is made uniform.
Since the inflow velocity into 12 is high in the portions corresponding to the four corners thereof and no retention portion is generated, the retention portion of the sample in the flow cell 112 can be significantly reduced and diffusion can be reduced. In addition, even if the positional relationship between the pipe 118 and the flow cell 112 is deviated, or if a burr remains in the pipe, it is rectified by the inlet side member 122 and the influence is extremely small.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the reference numeral 100 and their description is omitted. FIG. 7 shows a characteristic inlet side member 222 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows a sectional view thereof.

In the present embodiment, the inlet side member 222 constituting the rectifying section has a rectifying plate 240 having holes 234a, 234b ... And a cylindrical main body 242 on which the rectifying plate 240 can be fitted. ing. Then, the lower end 242a of the cylindrical main body 242 is brought into contact with the upper end of the pipe while the straightening plate 240 is fitted on the upper part of the cylindrical main body 242. In the case of this embodiment, the effluent is dispersed in each hole 234 in the internal space 244 of the cylindrical main body 242 even if no gap is provided between the inlet side member and the pipe as in the first embodiment. It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the first embodiment.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which four holes are provided in the inlet member has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the effect of the present invention can be obtained by providing two or more holes. Obtainable. However, when it is applied to the rectangular flow cell 112 as in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, at least four holes 234a, 234b, 2 are formed in the portions corresponding to the four corners of the flow cell 112.
It is preferable to arrange 34c and 234d. The figure is a plan view of the rectangular flow cell 112 as viewed from above.

As is clear from the figure, the flow cell 11
2 uses an angular flow cell in which both the outer wall surface 112a and the inner wall surface 112c are formed in the shape of a hollow quadrangular prism, so that when the excitation light enters the flow cell 112, the reflection of the scattered light is made constant. Occurrence can be reduced. Moreover, at least four holes 234a, 234b, 234 are formed in the portions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular flow cell 112.
By disposing c and 234d, proper flow of the fluid near the wall surface including the four corners is performed even in the rectangular flow cell, and the separation performance can be significantly improved.

FIGS. 10 to 14 show a concrete use state of the flow cell assembly according to this embodiment. In the flow cell assembly 250 shown in FIG. 10, the effluent 110 from the liquid chromatograph passes through the inlet union 252, the inlet pipe 254, the inlet cell retainer 256, and the quartz gasket 112 is drawn from the inlet gasket 258 into the quartz cell 112. be introduced. The effluent that has passed through the quartz cell 112 is led out from the outlet side gasket 260, and the outlet side cell retainer 262, the outlet side pipe 264, the outlet side union 266.
Flow in order.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flow cell assembly 250 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the flow cell assembly 250 includes an outlet side pipe 264, a cell pressing screw 268, a seat 270,
Outlet side cell retainer 262, outlet side gasket 260,
The quartz cell 112, the inlet gasket 258, the inlet cell retainer 256, the cell mask 272, and the inlet pipe 2
54, cell body 274, cell panel 276, cell panel fixing screw 278, and mask fixing screw 280.
, Pin 282, hole 284, inlet side union 252
An outlet side union 266, an inlet side collar 286,
Outlet collar 288, pin 290, and set screw 292
, A screw 294, and a filter retainer 296.

The cell presser screw 268 is used for the inlet side cell presser 2
56 and the outlet-side cell retainer 262 are provided so as to firmly sandwich the quartz cell 112, whereby sufficient pressure resistance can be obtained. A spacer 27 with good slippage is provided between the cell pressing screw 268 and the outlet side cell pressing 262.
0 is set.

The cell pressing screw 268 is provided with a thread and the cell body 274 is provided with a screw hole, and the cell pressing screw 268 is screwed into the screw hole. Also, the cell cap screw 2
In order to solve the problem that the outlet side cell retainer 262 rotates when the 68 is screwed into the cell body 274, the outlet side cell retainer 262 is provided with a groove 262a. Since the pin 290 is arranged so as to enter the groove 262a of the outlet side cell retainer 262 from the side of the cell body 274, the outlet side cell retainer 262 does not rotate with respect to the cell body 274.

The outlet-side cell retainer 262 is provided with a guide groove suitable for the size of the quartz cell 112 used.
Even if the quartz cell 112 is replaced, if it has the same shape, it can be easily attached at a predetermined position. The cell mask 272 can serve as a slit for fluorescent light emitted from the quartz cell, and can also block the excitation light diffusely reflected on the surface of the quartz cell 112 from entering the detector as stray light.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the flow cell according to this embodiment as viewed from above. As shown in the figure, the flow cell 112 receives the excitation light L1 from one side surface thereof, and when the measured effluent in the flow cell emits fluorescence,
The fluorescence L2 obtained from the direction orthogonal to the excitation light L1 is detected by the detector 116. In this way, the optical arrangement such that the excitation light L1 is emitted from the direction orthogonal to the observation direction of the fluorescence L2 causes the reflected light from the cell 112, which causes stray light, to be measured (for example, detected). Vessel 116)
You can prevent it from entering.

As shown in FIG. 13, the transmission filter 298,
As the reference numeral 300, there are substrates 302 and 304 having substantially circular holes 302a and 304a on the passage of the excitation light L1 and the fluorescence L2.
For example, a filter to which a filter 306 such as a color glass filter or an interference filter is fixed can be used. In the figure, the transmission filter 298 can be detachably provided between the cell body 274 and the filter retainer 296 from the upper right side in the figure. The transmission filter 300 has a cell body 27.
4 and the filter retainer 296 can be detachably provided from the upper left side in the figure.

In this way, since the transmission filters 298 and 300 can be detachably provided on the cell body 274 and the filter holder 296, the transmission filters of various performances can be easily replaced. In the quartz cell 112, as shown in FIG. 14, aluminum 308 is coated in a thin layer on the outside 112c of the window plate facing the window plate on which the excitation light L1 is incident. Further, also on the outer side 112d of the window plate facing the window plate emitting the fluorescence L2, aluminum 3 is formed on the surface in the same manner as the window plate 112c facing the window plate on which the excitation light L1 enters.
08 is coated in a thin layer.

In this manner, the outer surface 112c of the wall surface facing the wall on which the excitation light L1 enters and the outer surface 112d of the wall surface facing the wall that emits the fluorescent light L2 are coated with aluminum 308 in a thin layer and excited. The liquid L 110 can be efficiently irradiated by reflecting the light L 1 on the wall surface 112 c. On the other hand, by reflecting the fluorescent light L2 on the wall surface 112d, the fluorescent light L2 can efficiently enter the detector 116.

As a result, the amount of light of the fluorescence L2 can be about 2.5 to 3.5 times that of the case where the aluminum 308 is not coated, so that the analysis can be performed with high sensitivity. The aluminum layer 308 is formed on the wall surfaces 112c, 1
By covering a part of 12d instead of the whole as shown in FIG.
Since the light can be transmitted without being reflected by c and 112d, it is possible to increase only the fluorescence without increasing the stray light.

By coating the surface of any of the aluminum layers 308 with silicon dioxide in the form of a thick film, the aluminum layers 308 can be protected from mechanical and chemical stress. FIG. 15 shows a comparison result between the case of using the dedicated tool and the case of visually adjusting the mounting position without using the dedicated tool when adjusting the mounting position of the flow cell according to the present embodiment. ing.

In this analysis system, for the purpose of verifying diffusion inside the cell, acetonitrile is used as a mobile phase, 0.1% benzene is used as a sample, and a reverse phase column is used, and the sample is eluted while being hardly retained in the column. It was a condition. As a result, FIG. A, which shows the case where the special tool is not used, shows almost the same peak and retention of the sample in the flow cell as B, which shows the case where the special tool is used. As described above, according to the flow cell assembly according to the present embodiment, when the flow cell is replaced, even when the attachment position is adjusted without using the dedicated tool, it is almost the same as when the dedicated tool is used. In addition, the retention of the sample in the flow cell can be significantly reduced and the diffusion can be reduced.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an example using a rectangular cell was described on the premise of fluorescence detection, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various shapes such as a cylindrical cell used for absorbance measurement and the like can be used. It can also be applied to cells.

[0044]

EXAMPLES Preferred examples of the present invention will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Example 1 Table 2 below shows the results of comparison between the case of using the flow cell assembly according to this embodiment and the case of using the conventional flow cell assembly of the same shape. In addition,
In this analysis system, the same conditions as in Table 1 were used for the purpose of verifying diffusion inside the cell. Further, in the present analyzer, the theoretical plate value (NTP) of the above-mentioned formulas 1 and 2 is used as an evaluation index. <Comparison items> A: When a dedicated tool is used to adjust the mounting position of the flow cell B: When the mounting position of the flow cell is visually adjusted instead of the dedicated tool C: Occurs when the end surface of the inlet side of the pipe is processed When removing burrs sufficiently D: When removing the burrs generated when processing the inlet end face of piping

[0045]

[Table 2] ──────────────────────────────────── Comparison item Flow cell according to the present embodiment Flow cell ──────────────────────────────────── Group A 5,950 5,600 Group B 5,300 4,100 C group 5,500 5,450 D group 5,650 3,950 ──────────────────────────────── ─────

As a result, when the comparison items are B and D, a remarkable improvement effect is recognized. Therefore, according to the flow cell assembly of the present invention, the adjustment position of the flow cell is appropriate as compared with a skilled maintenance worker, such as when a user who does not have a specialized tool and skilled skills replaces the flow cell or piping. If you can't,
Alternatively, even if the burrs on the inlet end of the pipe are not sufficiently removed, it is possible to significantly reduce the stagnation of the sample in the flow cell and reduce the diffusion as in the case where a skilled worker replaces the flow cell and the pipe. It is considered possible.

Further, in FIG. 5, when the fluid to be measured supplied through the pipe 118 reaches the gap 136, it is jetted out at a high speed from the tip of the pipe 118, but the inlet side member 122.
Does not enter the flow cell 112 at a high speed, and fills the gap 136, and then the plurality of holes 1
It enters into the flow cell 112 from the corner part of the bottom surface of the square flow cell via 34. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the flow velocity distribution is made uniform as compared with the conventional one in which one hole is provided in the central portion, and therefore, as shown in FIG. The inflow velocity becomes high in the portion that has been apt to be remarkably slowed in the past, and the retention portion such as the x and y portions shown in FIG. 2 does not occur.

FIG. 17 shows a comparison result between the case of using the flow cell assembly according to this embodiment and the case of using the conventional flow cell assembly of the same shape. In this analysis example, the conditions are the same as those in Table 1 above.
As a result, as compared with FIG. 1 showing the conventional example, the peak in FIG. 2 showing the present example was remarkably high and the tailing was greatly reduced. As described above, according to the flow cell assembly according to the present embodiment, the bottom surface 12 of the inlet-side member 122 is
Even if there is a gap 136 of, for example, about 0.5 mm between 2a and the pipe 118b, the diffusion is not adversely affected, and the tailing can be greatly reduced.

[0049]

As described above, according to the flow cell assembly according to the present invention, the sample fluid is introduced into the flow cell through a plurality of holes, so that the sample fluid is diffused without stagnation in the flow cell. Can be made smaller. By forming both the outer wall surface and the inner wall surface of the flow cell in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a quadrangular prism shape, it is possible to reduce the generation of scattered light by making the reflection when the excitation light enters the flow cell a fixed direction. . Moreover, by disposing at least four holes in the portions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular flow cell as the rectifying portion, it is possible to reduce the diffusion without staying in the rectangular flow cell. Further, the flow cell assembly has a flow cell pressing portion which is crimped to a lower opening thereof, and the flow cell pressing portion has an opening into which the small diameter introducing passage is detachably inserted, and a flow cell side of the opening. By providing an opening into which the rectifying portion is fitted, the flow cell and the small-diameter introducing passage can be easily replaced. Here, by introducing the fluid from the small diameter introducing passage into the flow cell through the rectifying part, when the flow cell or the small diameter introducing passage is replaced, the position of the flow cell attachment may not be adjusted properly. Even if the burrs generated on the inlet-side end surface of the small-diameter introducing passage are not sufficiently removed, the fluid flows properly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a general flow cell for fluorescence measurement.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a joined state of a conventional flow cell and a pipe.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a problem of a conventional flow cell.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of a flow cell assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a joined state of the flow cell and the pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a characteristic inlet side member in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a characteristic inlet side member in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view of a characteristic inlet side member in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a characteristic hole arrangement in the flow cell assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a specific usage state of the flow cell assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a specific usage state of the flow cell assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a specific usage state of the flow cell assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific usage state of the flow cell assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a flow cell characteristic of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows a case where a dedicated tool is used for adjusting the attachment position of the flow cell according to the embodiment of the present invention,
It is a comparison explanatory view of the detection result when the dedicated tool is not used.

FIG. 16 is a flow velocity distribution assumption diagram in the flow channel direction in the flow cell according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a comparative explanatory diagram of the detection results when the flow cell assembly according to the example of the present invention and the conventional flow cell assembly are used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 112 flow cell 122,222 inlet side member (rectifying part) 134,234 hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A flow cell assembly used for detecting characteristics of a fluid that continuously flows, comprising: a small-diameter introducing passage for a fluid; a flow cell having a diameter larger than the small-diameter introducing passage; and a small-diameter introducing passage and a flow cell. And a rectifying section having a plurality of holes and having substantially the same diameter as the flow cell, and a fluid is introduced into the flow cell from the small-diameter introducing passage through each hole of the rectifying section. Flow cell assembly characterized by. 2. The flow cell assembly according to claim 2, wherein a dimension of a plane perpendicular to the flow channel direction of the flow cell is a × a in the case of a square flow cell, and a diameter φ = in the case of a cylindrical flow cell. The flow cell assembly is configured so as to satisfy the conditional expression a ≦ 3.0 mm, where a ≦ a. 3. The flow cell assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gap between the small-diameter introducing passage opening and the rectifying portion is 2 mm or less. 4. The flow cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flow cell is a rectangular flow cell in which an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface are both formed into a hollow rectangular prism shape. Is a flow cell assembly in which at least four holes are arranged in portions corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular flow cell. 5. The flow cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid to be detected is introduced from below the prismatic flow cell, and incident light is incident from one surface of the prismatic flow cell and is adjacent to the incident surface. A flow cell assembly characterized by detecting fluorescence emitted from a surface. 6. The flow cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a flow cell retainer portion that is crimped to a lower opening of the flow cell, wherein the flow cell retainer portion has the small-diameter introduction portion at a central portion thereof. A flow cell assembly characterized in that an opening into which a passage is detachably inserted and an opening into which the rectifying portion is fitted are provided on the flow cell side of the opening so that the flow cell and the small diameter introduction passage can be replaced.