Multiplexed fluorescent detection in microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. An optical detection and orientation system for irradiating a fluorescent sample in a microchannel and detecting light emanating from a solid substrate and fluorescence emitted from said channel, wherein said microchannel is in a solid substrate, said system comprising:
- a movable optical train comprising a source of excitation light and means for directing said light onto said solid substrate;
means for receiving said light emanating from said solid substrate and transferring said emanating light for analysis; and
means for moving said optical train and excitation light across the surface of said solid substrate comprising said microchannel and centering said optical train over said microchannel in response to the changes in light emanating from said solid substrate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical detection and orientation device is provided comprising housing having an excitation light source, an optical element for reflecting the excitation light to an aspherical lens and transmitting light emitted by a fluorophore excited by said excitation light, a focussing lens for focusing the emitted light onto the entry of an optical fiber, which serves as a confocal aperture, and means for accurately moving said housing over a small area in relation to a channel in a microfluidic device. The optical detection and orientation device finds use in identifying the center of the channel and detecting fluorophores in the channel during operations involving fluorescent signals.
305 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical detection and orientation system for irradiating a fluorescent sample in a microchannel and detecting light emanating from a solid substrate and fluorescence emitted from said channel, wherein said microchannel is in a solid substrate, said system comprising:
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a movable optical train comprising a source of excitation light and means for directing said light onto said solid substrate;
means for receiving said light emanating from said solid substrate and transferring said emanating light for analysis; and
means for moving said optical train and excitation light across the surface of said solid substrate comprising said microchannel and centering said optical train over said microchannel in response to the changes in light emanating from said solid substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An optical detection and orientation system for irradiating a fluorescent sample in a microchannel and detecting light emanating from a solid substrate and fluorescence emitted from said channel, wherein said microchannel is in a solid substrate, said system comprising:
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a movable optical unit comprising a housing accommodating an optical train, a source of excitation light, a reflective and transmissive optical element for directing an excitation light beam from said source to an aspherical lens, which aspherical lens focuses the light on said microchannel and collects the light emanating from said microchannel and focuses and directs the emanating light through said reflective and transmissive optical element, wherein said reflective and transmissive element reflects said excitation light beam and transmits said emanating light, and a carrier rigidly affixed to said housing;
a focusing lens for receiving said emanating light and directing a focused beam of emanating light on the entry of an optical fiber, wherein said entry serves as a confocal aperture;
means affixed to said carrier for accurately moving said carrier and unit over a small distance; and
a connector from said optical fiber to a data analyzer for analyzing changes in light emanating from said substrate as said carrier and unit move across the surface of said substrate and controlling said moving means for moving said housing in relation to the pattern of fluorescent light received from said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical detection and orientation system for irradiating a fluorescent sample in a microchannel and detecting light emanating from a solid substrate and fluorescence emitted from said channel, wherein said microchannel is in a solid substrate, said system comprising:
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a movable optical unit comprising a housing accommodating an optical train, a source of excitation light, a reflective and transmissive optical element for directing an excitation light beam from said source to an aspherical lens, which aspherical lens focuses the light on said microchannel and collects the light emanating from said microchannel and focuses and directs the emanating light through said reflective and transmissive optical element, wherein said reflective and transmissive element reflects said excitation light beam and transmits said emanating light, and a carrier rigidly affixed to said housing;
a focusing lens for receiving said emanating light and directing a focused beam of emanating light on the entry of an optical fiber, wherein said entry serves as a confocal aperture;
means affixed to said carrier for accurately moving said carrier and unit over a small distance in an arc; and
a connector from said optical fiber to a data analyzer for analyzing changes in light emanating from said substrate as said carrier and unit move across the surface of said substrate and controlling said moving means for moving said housing in relation to the pattern of emanating light received from said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An optical detection and orientation system for irradiating a fluorescent sample in a microchannel and detecting light emanating from a solid substrate and fluorescent light emitted from said channel, wherein said microchannel is in a solid substrate, said system comprising:
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a movable optical unit comprising a housing accommodating an optical train, a source of excitation light, a reflective and transmissive optical element for directing an excitation light beam from said source to an aspherical lens, which aspherical lens focuses the light on said microchannel and collects the light emanating from said microchannel and focuses and directs the emanating light through said reflective and transmissive optical element, wherein said reflective and transmissive element reflects said excitation light beam and transmits said emanating light, and a carrier rigidly affixed to said housing;
a focusing lens for receiving said emanating light and directing a focused beam of emanating light from said substrate on the entry of an optical fiber, wherein said entry serves as a confocal aperture;
means affixed to said carrier for accurately moving said carrier and unit over a small distance in a plane parallel to said substrate; and
a connector from said optical fiber to a data analyzer for analyzing changes in light emanating from said substrate as said carrier and unit move across the surface of said substrate and controlling said moving means for moving said housing in relation to the pattern of light received from said optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification