Filtering of pixel signals during array scanning

• US 7,627,435 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Staton, Kenneth L., Corson, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brusca; John S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Skibinsky; Anna
• Application Number:
  US10/912,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20060031028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6456 Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6458 Fluorescence microscopy fluorescence microscopes per se G02B21/0076 and G02B21/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/10 Scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/12 Circuits of general importance; Signal processing

Abstract

Methods for evaluating a pixel signal produced during scanning of a chemical array are provided. In general, the subject methods involve identifying a set of conformant digital signals for a pixel, and integrating those signals. Also provided are systems and programming for performing the subject methods, and an array scanner containing these systems and programming.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating a signal produced during scanning of a chemical array by a chemical array scanner for generating an integrated single pixel signal, comprising:

identifying a set of conformant digital signals and a set of non-conformant digital signals for generating said single pixel signal, wherein said conformant digital signals have a magnitude within a range defined by a threshold and said non-conformant digital signals have a magnitude outside of said range;

then

integrating said conformant digital signals and not the non-conformant digital signals, wherein said integrating produces data for generating said single pixel; and

storing said data on a computer hard-drive, wherein said data is produced by said scanner and said method is implemented by said scanner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said array is a nucleic acid array.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said array is a polypeptide array.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said conformant digital signals are produced by filtering signals in a time domain.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said conformant digital signals are produced by filtering signals in a frequency domain.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said conformant digital signals are produced by:

a) Fourier transforming time samples of said pixel to produce a plurality of frequency components,

b) reducing the magnitude of frequency components above a threshold as a function of their frequency, and

c) reverse Fourier transforming the adjusted frequency components.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said data is output from a digital signal processor.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises filtering out any non-conformant digital signals prior to signal integration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said method employs an algorithm to identify said conformant digital signals.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said method comprises:

producing an analog signal for said pixel;

digitizing said analog signal to provide a plurality of digital signals for said pixel;

identifying a set of conformant digital signals from said plurality of digital signals; and

integrating said conformant digital signals.

11. A computer-readable storage medium comprising:

programming products for execution by a digital signal processor, wherein said programming products produce data for a pixel when executed by said digital signal processor, said programming products comprising;

instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, wherein said computer-readable storage medium further comprises instructions for executing said programming products when a pixel signal containing a non-conformant signal is detected.

13. A processor comprising the computer-readable storage medium of claim 11.

14. A chemical array scanner comprising the processor of claim 13.

15. A kit for use in a chemical array optical scanner, said kit comprising:

(a) a computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11; and

(b) at least one chemical array.