Light detection device having an optical-path switching mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for detecting light from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
- a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site;
at least two light sources and a first optical relay structure that directs light from one of the light sources toward the composition;
a detector and a second optical relay structure that directs light from the composition toward the detector; and
a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the first optical relay structure from one of the light sources to another of the light sources, so that different light sources can be selected and directed toward the examination site for different applications.
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Abstract
A high-throughput light detection instrument and method are described. In some embodiments, switch mechanisms and optical relay structures permit different light sources and/or detectors to be selected for different applications. In other embodiments, switch mechanisms and optical paths permit top/bottom illumination and/or top/bottom detection, or combinations thereof.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting light from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site; at least two light sources and a first optical relay structure that directs light from one of the light sources toward the composition; a detector and a second optical relay structure that directs light from the composition toward the detector; and a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the first optical relay structure from one of the light sources to another of the light sources, so that different light sources can be selected and directed toward the examination site for different applications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for detecting light from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site; a light source and a first optical relay structure that directs light from the light source toward the composition; at least two detectors and a second optical relay structure that directs light from the composition to one of the detectors; and a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the second optical relay structure from one of the detectors to another of the detectors, so that different detectors can be selected for different applications. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for detecting light from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site, the examination site having a top side and a bottom side; at least one light source and a first optical relay structure defining a first optical path directed toward the top side of the examination site and a second optical path directed toward the bottom side of the examination site; at least one detector and a second optical relay structure that directs light from the composition toward the detector; and a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the light source from one of the optical paths to the other optical path. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for detecting light from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site having a top side and a bottom side; at least one light source and a first optical relay structure that directs light from the light source toward the composition; at least one detector and a second optical relay structure defining a first optical path directed toward the top side of the examination site and a second optical path directed toward the bottom side of the examination site; and a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the detector from one of the optical paths to the other optical path. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of detecting light from a sample, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of light sources, at least one detector, and an optical relay structure in a light detection instrument, wherein the optical relay structure directs light from one of the light sources toward a composition at an examination site; selecting one of the light sources using a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the optical relay structure from one of the light sources to another of the light sources; relaying light from the selected light source through the optical relay structure to the composition; and detecting light transmitted from the composition. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51)
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52. A method of detecting light from a sample, comprising:
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providing at least one light source, a plurality of detectors, and an optical relay structure in a light detection instrument, wherein the optical relay structure directs light from a composition at an examination site toward one of the detectors; selecting one of the detectors using a first switch mechanism that alters alignment of the first optical relay structure from one of the detectors to another of the detectors; illuminating the composition; and relaying light from the composition through the optical relay structure to the selected detector. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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54. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site, a plurality of adjacent light source compartments, each compartment having an opening for transmitting light from a light source contained in the compartment, a detector compartment, the compartment having an opening for transmitting light to a detector contained in the compartment, and a light source selection device including a first light-transmission pathway for directing light from a first light source in a first light source compartment toward a composition at the examination site when the light source selection device is set in a first position, and a second light-transmission pathway for directing light from a second light source in a second light source compartment toward the composition when the light source selection device is set in a second position, so that different light sources can be used for different applications by actuating the light source selection device between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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56. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a composition, the apparatus comprising:
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a stage for supporting a composition at an examination site, a light source compartment, the compartment having an opening for transmitting light from a light source contained in the compartment, a plurality of adjacent detector compartments, each compartment having an opening for transmitting light to a detector contained in the compartment, and a detector selection device including a first light-transmission pathway for directing light transmitted from a composition at the examination site toward a first detector when the detector selection device is set in a first position, and a second light-transmission pathway for directing light from the composition toward a second detector when the detector selection device is set in a second position, so that different detectors can be used for different applications by actuating the detector selection device between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification