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Luminometer with reduced sample crosstalk

  • US 5,401,465 A
  • Filed: 05/05/1992
  • Issued: 03/28/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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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:

  • 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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