METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING MICROBEADS IN ORDER TO INTERROGATE THE SAME
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Abstract
An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles. Each microparticle has an elongated body with an optically detectable code that extends along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body. The reader includes a plate that has a plurality of channels. The channels are configured to receive and align the microparticles so that the codes of the microparticles are in a common fixed orientation relative to each other. The reader also includes an illumination source for illuminating the microparticles on the plate. The codes in the microparticles reflect a portion of incident light and permit a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code. The reader also includes a detection device that is configured to capture the output signal provided by the microparticles.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1-18. -18. (canceled)
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19. An optical reader for reading encoded microparticles, each microparticle having an elongated body with an optically detectable code extending along a longitudinal axis of the corresponding elongated body, the reader comprising:
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a plate having a plurality of channels, the channels configured to receive and align the microparticles so that the codes of the microparticles are in a common fixed orientation relative to each other; an illumination source for illuminating the microparticles on the plate, the codes in the microparticles reflecting a portion of incident light and permitting a portion of the incident light to pass through the microparticles thereby providing an output signal indicative of the code; and a detection device configured to capture the output signal provided by the microparticles. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification