Luminometer with reduced sample crosstalk
First Claim
1. In a luminometer comprising (i) a tray for receiving a planar x-y array of sample wells, each having a structure defining a window through which light can be emitted, (ii) a photodetector assembly, and (iii) means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in at least one direction to align the windows of sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly, an improvement in the photodetector assembly comprising:
- a stage positionable adjacent each of the sample wells;
a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough;
means for mounting the photodetection head on the stage for movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to an x-y plane containing said array, toward and away from a sample-reading position at which the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent sample wells, when such wells are received in said tray and the detection aperture is aligned with the window of the selected sample well, andspring means for biasing the photodetection head in a direction substantially normal to such plane toward its sample-reading position, such that the photodetector head rides in contact over the upper surface of the multi-well array, when said tray is moved with respect to the photodetector head, and the head seats over each adjacent well, at a sample-reading position, when the detection aperture is aligned with the window of that sample well.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A luminometer comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and device for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a device for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a device for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.
271 Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a luminometer comprising (i) a tray for receiving a planar x-y array of sample wells, each having a structure defining a window through which light can be emitted, (ii) a photodetector assembly, and (iii) means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in at least one direction to align the windows of sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly, an improvement in the photodetector assembly comprising:
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a stage positionable adjacent each of the sample wells; a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough; means for mounting the photodetection head on the stage for movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to an x-y plane containing said array, toward and away from a sample-reading position at which the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent sample wells, when such wells are received in said tray and the detection aperture is aligned with the window of the selected sample well, and spring means for biasing the photodetection head in a direction substantially normal to such plane toward its sample-reading position, such that the photodetector head rides in contact over the upper surface of the multi-well array, when said tray is moved with respect to the photodetector head, and the head seats over each adjacent well, at a sample-reading position, when the detection aperture is aligned with the window of that sample well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A detection system for use in a luminometer designed for measuring luminescence in each of a plurality of samples, comprising
a planar x-y array of sample wells, each having an upper edge structure defining a window through which light can be received, photodetector assembly having (i) a stage, (ii), a photodetector head having a means defining an aperture, (iii) means for mounting the photodetection head on the stage for movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to an x-y plane containing said array, toward and away from a sample-reading position at which the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent sample wells, when such wells are received in said tray and the detection aperture is aligned with the window of the selected sample well, and (iv) spring means for biasing the photodetection head in a direction substantially normal to such plane toward its sample-reading position, and means for relatively moving the photodetector assembly and sample array in a plane which is substantially normal to the direction of movement of the photodetector head toward and away from its sample-read position, to successively align each well in the array with the photodetector assembly, with such relative movement being accommodated by movement of the photodetector head toward and away from its sample-read position, wherein the photodetector head rides in contact over the upper surface of the multi-well array, when said tray is moved with respect to the photodetector head, and the head seats over each adjacent well, at a sample-reading position, when the detection aperture is aligned with the window of that sample well.
Specification