Mutli-functional photometer with movable linkage for routing optical fibers
First Claim
1. A photometer utilizing light-transmitting conduits for analyzing optical properties of at least one analyte sample, said photometer comprising:
- an optical system having a plurality of lenses; and
a scanner for reading said at least one analyte sample, said scanner being optically coupled with said optical system by said light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said scanner including a linkage supportingly routing said light-transmitting conduits and maintaining said fixed individual shapes of said light-transmitting conduits as said scanner scans said at least one analyte sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A photometer utilizing light-transmitting conduits for analyzing optical properties of at least one analyte sample, said photometer comprising:
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an optical system having a plurality of lenses; and a scanner for reading said at least one analyte sample, said scanner being optically coupled with said optical system by said light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said scanner including a linkage supportingly routing said light-transmitting conduits and maintaining said fixed individual shapes of said light-transmitting conduits as said scanner scans said at least one analyte sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A photometer for measuring optical properties of at least one analyte sample, said photometer comprising:
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an optical system having a plurality of lenses; and a scanning mechanism comprising; a housing capable of supporting a structure for holding said at least one analyte sample; a positioning device coupled to said housing; a first optical scanning element coupled to said positioning device, said first optical scanning element being optically coupled to said optical system by a plurality of optical fibers, said positioning device capable of imparting scanning movements to said first optical scanning element in order to scan said at least one analyte sample, said plurality of optical fibers having fixed individual shapes; and a movable linkage coupled to said housing and to said first optical scanning element, said movable linkage supportingly routing said plurality of optical fibers for maintaining said fixed individual shapes thereof as said first optical scanning element scans said at least one analyte sample. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A photometer utilizing light-transmitting paths for analyzing optical properties of at least one analyte sample, said photometer comprising:
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an optical system; and a scanner for reading said at least one analyte sample, said scanner being optically coupled with said optical system by said light-transmitting paths having fixed individual shapes, said scanner including a moveable arm supportingly routing said light-transmitting paths and maintaining said fixed individual shapes of said light-transmitting paths as said scanner scans said at least one analyte sample. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification