Detection device for light transmitted from a sensed volume
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprisinga stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well having a diameter X a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, and a confocal optics device that positions a focal spot in the sample, the focal spot having a diameter of at least about 0.3X.
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Accused Products
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
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising
a stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well having a diameter X a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, and a confocal optics device that positions a focal spot in the sample, the focal spot having a diameter of at least about 0.3X.
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2. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising
a stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well having a diameter X, a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, and an optical relay structure that positions a sensed volume in the sample, the sensed volume being characterized by a waist region having a diameter D and a Z-pick-up having a height of at least about 2D.
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3. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising
a stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well, the sample having boundary interfaces defined by walls of the microplate well and an upper gas interface, a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, a sample handling mechanism capable of automatically detecting light serially from microplate wells in a density of at least about 384 wells per plate, and an optical relay structure that positions a sensed volume in the sample, the sensed volume being spaced away from the boundary interfaces.
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5. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a composition, the apparatus comprising
a stage configured to support the composition in an examination site, an automated registration device that automatically brings successive compositions and the examination site into register for successive analysis of the compositions, a light source positioned to deliver light to the composition in the examination site along an excitation optical axis, and a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the composition in the examination site along an emission optical axis, wherein the excitation optical axis and the emission optical axis are not colinear.
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8. A light detection system comprising
a stage for supporting a microplate having a plurality of wells, each well having a maximum volume capacity of about 55 microliters or less, a light source, a detector, an optical relay structure that transmits light from the light source to a sample contained in a well in the microplate, and from the sample to the detector, and a Z-axis adjustment device that alters location of a sensed volume inside the sample to optimize signal-to-background performance of the system.
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18. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a composition, the apparatus comprising
means for supporting the composition in an examination site, the composition being contained in a spatial volume delineated by boundary interfaces, means for automatically bringing successive compositions and the examination site into register for successive analysis of the compositions, means for producing light and delivering the light to the composition in the examination site, means for transmitting light substantially exclusively from a sensed volume of the composition, means for automatically positioning the sensed volume substantially away from at least one of the boundary interfaces of the composition, and means for detecting the light transmitted substantially exclusively from the sensed volume of the composition.
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28. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising
a stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well, the sample having boundary interfaces defined by walls of the microplate well and an upper gas interface, a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, and an optical relay structure that focuses a non-diffraction-limited spot into the sample without illuminating significantly any of the boundary interfaces of the sample.
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37. An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising
a stage for supporting a sample in a microplate well having a shape that is substantially frustoconical, a light source positioned to deliver light to the sample, a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the sample, and an optical relay structure located between the light source and the detector, the optical relay structure including confocal optics that create a sensed volume in the sample, at least a portion of the sensed volume having a shape conforming substantially to the shape of the well.
Specification