Patent ID: 6016193
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A device for holding a cuvette in a light path provided by an analytical instrument having a source of air pressure differential, said cuvette containing a magnetic stirring bar to agitate the contents of the cuvette while in the light path, said device comprising:an upper portion having an opening for receiving and holding the cuvette; anda lower portion affixed to the upper portion and comprising a rotor housing and a rotor, the rotor having a permanent magnet mounted on a top surface thereof and a plurality of vanes, the rotor being rotatably mounted in the rotor housing;the rotor housing having a first bore in which the rotor is seated and second and third bores communicating the first bore with the exterior of the device, so that air flow may be induced from an external air pressure differential source across the first bore from the second bore to the third bore, the second and third bores being situated so as to direct the air flow at the plurality of vanes to cause rotation of the rotor within the first bore;wherein the rotation of the rotor in the rotor housing induces a magnetic field which causes co-rotation of the stirring bar.