Device for measuring luminescence

• US 6,018,387 A
• Filed: 02/09/1998
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stratec Biomedical Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stratec Elektronik GmbH
• Inventors: Eppler, Jorg, Leistner, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Zandra V.
• Application Number:
  US09/020,985
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 250/361 C, 250/458.1, 250/459.1, 250/462.1, 356/417, 356/418, 356/318, 356/246, 422/52, 422/55, 422/58, 422/82.08, 422/82.11, 436/47, 436/72
• US Class Current: 356/246
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6463 Optics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence

Abstract

The invention concerns a measuring device for carrying out of chemiluminescence and/or fluorescence measurements of fluid samples, which in sample containers (22) of a sample plate (24) are contained. For analysis of a measurement light exiting from an upper measurement opening (26) of a sample container (22) found in a measurement position, a photo-multiplier (12) is provided, which for achievement of a flat device construction is provided lying down. In order that the measurement light is redirected into the entry window (36) of the photo-multiplier (12) there is provided a reflector (16) before the photomultiplier (12) in the carrier body (14) which covers over at least the measurement opening (26) of the sample container (22) to be measured, at a distance (FIG. 1).

Claims

1. Measurement device for carrying out luminescence measurements of fluid samples, comprising:

a sample container (22) having an upwardly directed measurement opening;

a light detector (12) having an entry surface (36) for receiving measurement light emitted from said sample container; and

a reflector (16) which covers over the measurement opening (26) and, with maintenance of a free space (42), redirects measurement light into the entry surface (36) of the light detector, and wherein the reflector (16) is fixed to a carrier body (14) which shields from stray light.

2. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein said light detector (12) is a photo-multiplier.

3. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the entry surface (36) of the light detector (12) is provided above the sample container (22) and perpendicular to the measurement opening (26).

4. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the entry surface (36) of the light detector (12) is provided above the sample container (22) and tilted with respect to the measurement opening (26).

5. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector (16) redirects the measurement light as a light bundle into the entry surface (36) so that the central axis of the reflected light bundle enters approximately perpendicular to the entry surface (36).

6. A measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector (16) is formed mirror-symmetrically to a median elevated plane which runs through the central axis of the receiving and reflecting measurement light.

7. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector (16) is formed as a deep draw form component.

8. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector (16) is a planar mirror exhibiting a planar reflective surface.

9. Measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the planar mirror (16) is oriented tilted at an acute angle with respect to the measurement opening (26) of the sample container (22) and the entry surface (36) of the light detector (12).

10. Measurement device according to claim 8, wherein the planar mirror (16) is oriented at an angle of approximately 45°

with respect to the measurement opening (26) of the sample container (22) and the entry surface (36) of the light detector (12).

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector (16) is provided with a reflector surface (54) formed of a metal layer.

12. Measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier body (14) and/or the reflector (16) exhibits at least one entry channel (44) for receiving an optical fiber (47) or an injection conduit (48) formed by a canula or a hose.

13. Measurement device according to claim 12, wherein at least one entry channel (44) runs transverse to the median elevated plane (46) of the reflector.

14. Measurement device according to claim 13, wherein in the optic fiber (47) and/or injector channel (48) directed in the entry channel extend at an angle of 26°

to 30°

to the vertical to a rim area of the aperture away from the median elevated plane of the reflector (16).

15. Measurement device for carrying out luminescence measurements of fluid samples, comprising:

a sample container (22) having an upwardly directed measurement opening;

a light detector (12) having an entry surface (36) for receiving measurement light emitted from said sample container; and

a reflector (16) which covers over the measurement opening (26) and, with maintenance of a free space (42), redirects measurement light into the entry surface (36) of the light detector, wherein the reflector (16) in an area above the measurement opening (26) exhibits a concave curved reflector surface (54).

16. Measurement device according to claim 15, wherein said concave curved reflector surface is spheroidic or parabolic.

17. Measurement device for carrying out luminescence measurements of fluid samples, comprising:

a sample container (22) having an upwardly directed measurement opening;

a light detector (12) having an entry surface (36) for receiving measurement light emitted from said sample container; and

a reflector (16) which covers over the measurement opening (26) and, with maintenance of a free space (42), redirects measurement light into the entry surface (36) of the light detector, wherein the reflector (16) is provided with a reflector surface (54) formed of aluminum, and wherein the reflector (16) is fixed to a carrier body (14) which shields from stray light.

18. Measurement device according to claim 17, wherein the reflector surface (54) is provided with a protective layer transparent to measurement light.

19. Measurement device according to claim 18, wherein said protective layer is comprised of SiO₂.

20. Measurement device according to claim 17, wherein the carrier body (14) includes an aperture opening which encompasses about the edges of the measurement opening (26), and broadens conically upwardly towards the reflector (16).

21. Measurement device according to claim 20, wherein the carrier body (14) is seatable and in fixed communication with a bore hole (34) and is seatable upon the entry side end of the photo-multiplier (12) an fixedly connected thereto.

22. Measurement device according to claim 20, wherein the bore hole (34) is a step bore shielded from stray light by a shield.