Immunoassay fluorometer
First Claim
1. A fluorometer for taking fluorometric readings of a sample, comprising:
- an optical energy source for exciting an assay device carrying the sample by irradiating the assay device with optical energy;
an optical flattener for receiving the optical energy from the optical energy source and for producing increased uniformity in the distributed beam pattern of the optical energy source irradiating the assay device;
an optical energy detector for detecting energy emitted from the excited assay device due to the irradiation;
an assay mechanism for receiving the assay device carrying the sample, the assay mechanism comprising drive electronics for positioning the assay device with respect to the optical energy source and the optical energy detector, allowing at least one of a plurality of assay zones or regions to be tested; and
a processor for controlling the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from a given zone or plurality of zones in order to determine test results.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluorometer for sensing the fluorescence of a sample utilizes an optical energy source for exciting a sample to be tested and an optical energy detector for detecting the emitted energy from the excited sample. Drive electronics are used for positioning the sample with respect to the optical components allowing a plurality of sample regions to be tested. A processor is utilized to control the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from the sample to determine test results. A ROM chip socket accepts a plurality of ROM chips, wherein each ROM chip stores test data sets for one or more test types to be performed. ROM chips can be swapped to allow the fluorometer to be configured and reconfigured to perform a plurality of different tests. A communications interface facilitates the sharing of test information between the fluorometer and external entities.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A fluorometer for taking fluorometric readings of a sample, comprising:
-
an optical energy source for exciting an assay device carrying the sample by irradiating the assay device with optical energy; an optical flattener for receiving the optical energy from the optical energy source and for producing increased uniformity in the distributed beam pattern of the optical energy source irradiating the assay device; an optical energy detector for detecting energy emitted from the excited assay device due to the irradiation; an assay mechanism for receiving the assay device carrying the sample, the assay mechanism comprising drive electronics for positioning the assay device with respect to the optical energy source and the optical energy detector, allowing at least one of a plurality of assay zones or regions to be tested; and a processor for controlling the operation of the test in accordance with test instructions and for processing the emitted energy detected from a given zone or plurality of zones in order to determine test results. - 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, 26, 27)
-
Specification