Polychronic laser scanning system and method of use
First Claim
1. A system for performing laser scanning of a liquid sample containing particles, the system comprising:
- (a) means for scanning an excitation laser beam from an excitation laser across the sample;
(b) means for focusing the excitation laser beam into the sample;
(c) means for collecting a light emitted from the sample and its constituents in response to the excitation laser beam;
(d) means for de-scanning the collected emission light;
(e) means for spectrally dispersing the collected emission light;
(f) means for imaging the spectrally dispersed emission light as a spectrum;
(g) means for detecting the spectrum in one or more detection channels simultaneously according to its wavelength using a two-dimensional detector surface; and
(h) at least one afocal lens pair in a beam path of the collected emission light between a dichroic mirror and the means for spectrally dispersing.
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Abstract
A system for laser scanning provides spectral flexibility needed for the spectroscopic monitoring of highly multiplexed samples, such as cellular and particle assays in whole blood or other suspensions. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the system comprises a scanner to direct an excitation laser through a sample, an objective to collect light emitted by the sample in response to the excitation laser, a spectrograph to disperse the emitted light over a plurality of wavelengths as a spectrum, and a charge coupled device for detecting the spectrum. The system can be used with samples having a variety of reporter tags, including one or more SERS tags, fluorescent organic and protein tags, and quantum dot tags. A laser scanning apparatus and method of using the same is also provided.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for performing laser scanning of a liquid sample containing particles, the system comprising:
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(a) means for scanning an excitation laser beam from an excitation laser across the sample; (b) means for focusing the excitation laser beam into the sample; (c) means for collecting a light emitted from the sample and its constituents in response to the excitation laser beam; (d) means for de-scanning the collected emission light; (e) means for spectrally dispersing the collected emission light; (f) means for imaging the spectrally dispersed emission light as a spectrum; (g) means for detecting the spectrum in one or more detection channels simultaneously according to its wavelength using a two-dimensional detector surface; and (h) at least one afocal lens pair in a beam path of the collected emission light between a dichroic mirror and the means for spectrally dispersing. - 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, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for performing laser scanning on a sample having particles in a suspension, comprising:
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(a) one or more sources of excitation source; (b) a scanner to direct the excitation source through the sample; (c) an objective to collect light emitted by the sample in response to the excitation source; (d) a spectrograph to disperse the emitted light over a plurality of wavelengths as a spectrum; (e) at least one afocal lens pair between a dichroic beam splitter and the spectrograph, wherein the dichroic beam splitter at least partially divides an excitation path and a detection path; and (f) a charge coupled device for detecting the spectrum. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification