Fluorimeter

• US 5,933,232 A
• Filed: 05/13/1997
• Issued: 08/03/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tecan Austria GmbH (Tecan Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Tecan Austria GmbH (Tecan Group AG)
• Inventors: Puchegger, Karl, Atzler, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): HANTIS, KAREN
• Application Number:
  US08/855,359
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 356/318, 356/417, 356/317, 200/458.1, 200/459.1, 200/461.1, 200/461.2, 200/328, 422/82.08
• US Class Current: 356/317
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates

Abstract

A fluorimeter has a flash lamp, a measurement station with a receiver for microtitration plates, at least one measurement head disposed at the receiver and an evaluation station having a detector. Emission signals given off by a sample are evaluated by the detector. Light guides extend from the flash lamp to the measurement head from the measurement head to the detector. At the measurement station one measurement head is arranged above a sample and one measurement head beneath the sample. A change-over switch is formed by a pivotal bar which connects the light guides selectively to the upper or the lower measurement heads. On the pivotal bar are connections for the light guides which lead to the upper and the lower measurement heads. Connection of a respective measurement head can be brought selectively into correlation with the light source and the detector.

Claims

1. A fluorimeter for measuring photoluminescence of a sample, said fluorimeter comprising:

a measurement station including a receiver for receipt of a sample, an upper measurement head to be positioned above the sample in said receiver, and a lower measurement head to be positioned below the sample in said receiver;

a light source for emission of light;

an evaluation station including a detector for evaluation of emission signals emitted by the sample;

first light guide means for passing light from said light source to said upper measurement head and from said upper measurement head to said detector;

second light guide means for passing light from said light source to said lower measurement head and from said lower measurement head to said detector; and

a change-over switch movable between a first position connecting said first light guide means to said light source and to said detector and a second position connecting said second light guide means to said light source and to said detector.

2. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiver is operable to receive a microtitration plate containing the sample.

3. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a photomultiplier.

4. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first light guide means is connected at respective connections at said upper measurement head and said change-over switch, and said second light guide means is connected at respective connections at said lower measurement head and said change-over switch.

5. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second light guide means comprises a first light guide portion extending from said change-over switch to the respective said upper or lower measurement head and a second light guide portion extending from said respective upper or lower measurement head to said change-over switch.

6. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said change-over switch comprises a bar mounted for pivotable movement between said first and second positions.

7. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 6, wherein said bar has first connections for said first light guide means to said light source and to said detector and second connections for said second light guide means to said light source and to said detector.

8. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first connections are located at diagonally opposite positions of said bar relative to an axis of pivotable movement thereof, and said second connections are located at different diagonally opposite positions of said bar relative to said axis thereof.

9. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said connections are located at opposite ends of said bar.

10. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said opposite ends are convex and have surfaces coaxial about an axis of pivotable movement of said bar.

11. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 7, further comprising further connections on said bar and on one of said upper and lower measurement heads for attachment of a light guide for a transillumination measuring device for measuring transmission of light from said one measurement head through the sample in said receiver to the other said measurement head.

12. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a photoelectric diode on said other measurement head for receipt of the light transmitted through the sample.

13. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said further connection on said bar is positioned between respective said first and second connections thereon to said light source.

14. A fluorimeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second light guide means comprise respective fiber bundles.