Sample analysis systems

• US 20030127609A1
• Filed: 08/13/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Original Assignee: Molecular Devices
• Inventors: Meadows, Joh W., Owicki, John C., Cesar, Christopher G., Stumbo, David P., Modlin, Douglas N., Edwards, Glenn R., Petersen, Jonathan F., Marquiss, Samuel A., Taylor, Michael T., El-Hage, Amer
• Granted Patent: US 6,982,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/574
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6445 Measuring fluorescence polarisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates

Abstract

Systems, and components thereof, for analyzing samples. These systems include apparatus and methods for generating, transmitting, detecting, and/or analyzing light, including without limitation high-throughput optical screening devices for analyzing samples at one or more assay sites. These systems also include apparatus and methods for supporting samples for analysis, including without limitation multiwell sample holders such as microplates.

Claims

1. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a composition, the apparatus comprising

a stage configured to support the composition,

a light source configured to produce light capable of inducing photoluminescence in the composition,

an excitation optical relay structure having an excitation polarizer, wherein the excitation optical relay structure directs light from the light source through the excitation polarizer toward the composition,

a detector configured to detect light emitted from the composition, and

an emission optical relay structure having an emission polarizer, wherein the emission optical relay structure directs light emitted from the composition through the emission polarizer toward the detector,

wherein at least one of the excitation polarizer and the emission polarizer includes a liquid crystal polarizer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the other of the excitation polarizer and the emission polarizer includes a mechanical polarizer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the excitation polarizer and the emission polarizer both include a liquid crystal display.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display is a continuous mode liquid crystal display polarization rotator.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detector is configured for synchronous detection with the liquid crystal display polarization rotator.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of flash lamps, arc lamps, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, electroluminescence devices, lasers, laser diodes, and light-emitting diodes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the light source is a high-intensity, high-color temperature arc lamp.

8. A method of improving signal detection in luminescence assays, the method comprising:

selecting an optical device capable of detecting light substantially exclusively from a sensed volume having a conical portion;

selecting a sample holder having a shape configured to conform to the shape of the conical portion of the sensed volume; and

performing a luminescence assay using the optical device and the sample holder.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising aligning the sensed volume with the sample holder.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sample holder is a sample well in a microplate.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the sample holder includes a reference fiducial configured to provide information that facilitates the luminescence assay.

12. A method of measuring light, comprising:

detecting photons incident on a detector during a sampling period;

collecting data representative of the cumulative number of photons detected during the sampling period; and

terminating the sampling period when the cumulative number of photons detected during the sampling period reaches a predetermined threshold or a predetermined sampling time expires, whichever occurs first.