Label-Independent Optical Reader System And Methods With Optical Scanning
First Claim
1. A optical reader system for label-independent reading of resonant-waveguide (RWG) biosensors operably supported by a microplate, comprising:
- a holder configured to operably hold the microplate in the system;
a light source that generates light;
a spectrometer unit;
a beam-forming optical system having input and output ends and optically coupled to the light source at the input end, the beam-forming optical system being configured to form from the light at least one optical beam at the output end, and being optically coupled to the spectrometer unit at the input end to direct light received at the output end to the spectrometer unit; and
a scanning optical system arranged between the microplate and the beam-forming optical system and comprising a scanning mirror device, a mirror device driver operably coupled to the scanning mirror device, and an F-theta lens, wherein the scanning optical system is configured to receive and scan the at least one optical beam over one or more of the RWG biosensors and to direct light reflected by the one or more scanned RWG biosensors back to the output end of the beam-forming optical system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical reader systems and methods for label-independent reading of resonant waveguide (RWG) biosensors operably supported by a microplate as defined herein. The system includes a light source, a spectrometer unit, a beam-forming optical system and a scanning optical system that includes a scanning mirror device, a mirror device driver operably coupled to the scanning mirror device, and an F-theta lens arranged between the microplate and the beam-forming optical system. Some systems use multiple optical beams to scan multiple biosensors at once without having to move the microplate. Asynchronous scanning of multiple beams allows for reducing the number of spectrometer units needed.
49 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A optical reader system for label-independent reading of resonant-waveguide (RWG) biosensors operably supported by a microplate, comprising:
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a holder configured to operably hold the microplate in the system; a light source that generates light; a spectrometer unit; a beam-forming optical system having input and output ends and optically coupled to the light source at the input end, the beam-forming optical system being configured to form from the light at least one optical beam at the output end, and being optically coupled to the spectrometer unit at the input end to direct light received at the output end to the spectrometer unit; and a scanning optical system arranged between the microplate and the beam-forming optical system and comprising a scanning mirror device, a mirror device driver operably coupled to the scanning mirror device, and an F-theta lens, wherein the scanning optical system is configured to receive and scan the at least one optical beam over one or more of the RWG biosensors and to direct light reflected by the one or more scanned RWG biosensors back to the output end of the beam-forming optical system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An optical reader system for label-independent reading of RWG biosensors operably supported by a microplate, comprising:
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at least one light source that generates light; at least one spectrometer unit; first and second beam-forming optical systems each having input and output ends and optically coupled to either different light sources or to the at least one light source at their respective input ends form at least one first optical beam and at least one second optical beam at their respective output ends, and optically coupled to either different spectrometer units or to the at least one spectrometer unit at their respective input ends to direct thereto light received at their respective output ends; and first and second scanning optical systems respectively arranged between the microplate and the first and second beam-forming optical systems and respectively comprising first and second scanning mirror devices, first and second mirror device drivers respectively operably connected to the first and second scanning mirror devices, and first and second F-theta lenses respectively operably arranged relative to the first and second scanning mirror devices, and respectively configured to scan the at least one first optical beam and the at least one second optical beam over respective RWG biosensors, and to direct light reflected by the scanned RWG biosensors back to the corresponding output ends of the first and second beam-forming optical systems. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of reading an array of resonant waveguide (RWG) biosensors operably supported by a microplate, comprising:
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generating at least one optical beam using at least one beam-forming optical system that is optically connected to a light source and to a spectrometer unit; providing at least one scanning optical system comprising a scanning mirror device, a mirror driver operably coupled to the scanning mirror device, and an F-theta lens operatively arranged relative to the adjustable mirror. operating the at least one scanning optical system to effectuate scanning of the at least one optical beam over at least one RWG biosensor without moving the microplate to generate a reflected optical beam therefrom; directing light from the reflected optical beam to the spectrometer through the at least one scanning optical system and the at least one beam-forming optical system to form at least one measurement spectrum; and processing the at least one measurement spectrum to establish at least one resonant wavelength associated with the at least one scanned RWG biosensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of reading a resonant waveguide (RWG) biosensor having a resonant wavelength, comprising:
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forming a scanned optical beam having a light spot smaller than the RWG biosensor; scanning the light spot in a two-dimensional scan path over at least a portion of the RWG biosensor thereby forming reflected light containing resonant wavelength information from multiple locations on the biosensor; collecting the reflected light over the scan path; and determining from the reflected light a spatially integrated measurement of the resonant wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification