Compact Multi-Wavelength Optical Reading and Method of Acquiring Optical Data on Clustered Assay Samples Using Differing-Wavelength Light Sources
First Claim
1. An optical reader for acquiring optical data corresponding to each of a plurality of sample wells of a cluster of sample wells, the optical reader comprising:
- at least one light source for illuminating at least one of the plurality of sample wells during a reading operation;
a detector operatively configured and located to detect light from said at least one light source;
a reading region located between said at least one light source and said detector during operation of the optical reader; and
at least one non-contact temperature sensor for sensing, during operation, temperature of the cluster at a plurality of locations within the cluster.
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Abstract
An optical reader having an array of differing-color light sources and a controller for controlling the light sources and acquisition of optical data. The light sources are arranged, and the controller is configured, to allow rapid acquisition of optical data regarding individual sample wells of a cluster of such wells. In some embodiments, multiple ones of the differing-color light sources are illuminated simultaneously for acquiring optical data on a corresponding number of sample wells. Depending on the configuration of the array and number of differing-color light sources illuminated simultaneously, the optical reader can acquire optical data for several wavelengths in a fraction of the time of conventional optical readers. Other embodiments include one or more non-contact temperature sensors for acquiring temperature data substantially simultaneously with the optical data. The temperature data can be used, for example, to adjust the optical data or warn a user of out-of-specification temperature conditions.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An optical reader for acquiring optical data corresponding to each of a plurality of sample wells of a cluster of sample wells, the optical reader comprising:
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at least one light source for illuminating at least one of the plurality of sample wells during a reading operation; a detector operatively configured and located to detect light from said at least one light source; a reading region located between said at least one light source and said detector during operation of the optical reader; and at least one non-contact temperature sensor for sensing, during operation, temperature of the cluster at a plurality of locations within the cluster. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of acquiring and processing optical data, comprising:
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acquiring optical data regarding a plurality of samples located in a corresponding plurality of sample wells of a cluster of sample wells; acquiring, substantially simultaneously with said acquiring of the optical data, temperature data for the cluster; and automatically taking an action as a function of the temperature data. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification