High dynamic range apparatus for separation and detection of polynucleotide fragments
First Claim
1. An electrophoresis separation and real-time detection apparatus comprising:
- (a) a housing adapted to receive an electrophoresis gel holder containing an electrophoresis gel loaded with fluorophore-labeled samples;
(b) one or more laser diodes for providing radiation of a frequency suitable for excitation of the fluorophore;
(c) means for directing the radiation to a plurality of excitation/detection sites on the electrophoresis gel;
(d) an array of detectors aligned with the excitation/detection sites for collecting fluorescent emissions and producing an electrical output signal indicative of the intensity of the fluorescent emissions; and
(e) means for increasing the dynamic range of the apparatus by at least one order of magnitude.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high dynamic range apparatus for separation and detection of polynucleotide fragments has a housing adapted to receive an electrophoresis gel holder containing an electrophoresis gel loaded with fluorophore-labeled samples; one or more laser diodes for providing radiation of a frequency suitable for excitation of the fluorophore which irradiates a an array of excitation/detection sites on the electrophoresis gel; an array of detectors aligned with the excitation/detection sites for collecting fluorescent emissions; and one or more components for increasing the dynamic range of the instrument by at least an order of magnitude. These components, which can be used individually or in combination include detectors that are connected to a signal processing system that modulates the period of signal integration employed so that large signals are totaled at short time intervals and smaller signals are totaled at longer time intervals; the use of a beam splitter to produces a high intensity beam of emitted light and a low intensity beam of emitted light from each excitation/detection site; and a device for modulating the intensity of the excitation beam can be used to improve the dynamic range of the instrument.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electrophoresis separation and real-time detection apparatus comprising:
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(a) a housing adapted to receive an electrophoresis gel holder containing an electrophoresis gel loaded with fluorophore-labeled samples; (b) one or more laser diodes for providing radiation of a frequency suitable for excitation of the fluorophore; (c) means for directing the radiation to a plurality of excitation/detection sites on the electrophoresis gel; (d) an array of detectors aligned with the excitation/detection sites for collecting fluorescent emissions and producing an electrical output signal indicative of the intensity of the fluorescent emissions; and (e) means for increasing the dynamic range of the apparatus by at least one order of magnitude. - 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)
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Specification