Devices for real-time polymerase chain reaction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An instrument for performing polymerase chain reaction with real-time detection comprising:
- a) a sample holder configured to receive a plurality of sample tubes that each have at least one portion that is generally optically transparent, and that receives a biological sample having a nucleic acid to be amplified and at least one fluorescing agent that interacts with the nucleic acid during amplification and that emits light upon excitation by light of a known wavelength;
b) at least one light emitting diode device that is carried on at least one support substrate, is in electrical communication with a power source, and is adapted to emit light at a plurality of different wavelengths;
c) at least one photodiode array detector adapted to issue signals based upon intensity of light it receives;
d) a plurality of fiber optic bundles including a set of excitation fiber optic bundles and a set of emission fiber optic bundles;
e) a filter wheel including at least one filter pair, wherein the at least one filter pair includes;
i) an emission filter employed between the plurality of sample tubes and the at least one photodiode array detector;
ii) an excitation filter employed between the at least one light emitting diode device and the set of excitation fiber optic bundles; and
f) a plurality of sample alignment ports at a bottom of the sample holder which align the plurality of fiber optic bundles underneath the plurality of sample tubes.
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Abstract
An improved device and system for facilitating polymerase chain reaction including a light source, detector, waveguide, and filters that occupy minimal space and facilitate detection of stationary samples, reduced sample read time, and simultaneous reading of multiple light wavelengths.
148 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An instrument for performing polymerase chain reaction with real-time detection comprising:
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a) a sample holder configured to receive a plurality of sample tubes that each have at least one portion that is generally optically transparent, and that receives a biological sample having a nucleic acid to be amplified and at least one fluorescing agent that interacts with the nucleic acid during amplification and that emits light upon excitation by light of a known wavelength; b) at least one light emitting diode device that is carried on at least one support substrate, is in electrical communication with a power source, and is adapted to emit light at a plurality of different wavelengths; c) at least one photodiode array detector adapted to issue signals based upon intensity of light it receives; d) a plurality of fiber optic bundles including a set of excitation fiber optic bundles and a set of emission fiber optic bundles; e) a filter wheel including at least one filter pair, wherein the at least one filter pair includes; i) an emission filter employed between the plurality of sample tubes and the at least one photodiode array detector; ii) an excitation filter employed between the at least one light emitting diode device and the set of excitation fiber optic bundles; and f) a plurality of sample alignment ports at a bottom of the sample holder which align the plurality of fiber optic bundles underneath the plurality of sample tubes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An instrument for performing polymerase chain reaction with real-time detection comprising:
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a) a sample holder configured to receive a plurality of sample tubes that each have at least one portion that is generally optically transparent, and that receives a biological sample having a nucleic acid to be amplified and at least one fluorescing agent that interacts with the nucleic acid during amplification and that emits light upon excitation by light of a known wavelength; b) at least one light emitting diode device that is carried on at least one support substrate, is in electrical communication with a power source, and is adapted to emit light at a plurality of different wavelengths; c) at least one photodiode array detector adapted to issue signals based upon intensity of light it receives; d) a plurality of fiber optic bundles including a set of excitation fiber optic bundles and a set of emission fiber optic bundles; e) excitation doublet lenses employed in-line between the at least one light emitting diode device and the set of excitation fiber optic bundles, wherein the excitation doublet lenses include; i) a first excitation doublet lens configured to approximately collimate along an axis of an excitation light path; ii) a second excitation doublet lens configured to refocus the light onto an excitation plate; f) emission doublet lenses employed in-line between the set of emission fiber optic bundles and the photodiode array detector, wherein the emission doublet lenses include; i) a first emission doublet lens configured to approximately collimate along an axis of an emission light path; ii) a second emission doublet lens configured to refocus the light onto the photodiode array detector; g) a filter wheel including at least one filter pair, wherein the at least one filter pair includes; i) an emission filter employed between the plurality of sample tubes and the at least one photodiode array detector; ii) an excitation filter employed between the at least one light emitting diode device and the set of excitation fiber optic bundles; and h) a plurality of sample alignment ports at a bottom of the sample holder which align the plurality of fiber optic bundles underneath the plurality of sample tubes. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification