Luminescence reference standards

• US 7,742,164 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tracy, David H., Oldham, Mark F., Sandell, Donald R., Lau, Aldrich N. K., Phillips, J. Michael, Bodner, Kevin S., Boege, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENTIN II, JUAN D
• Application Number:
  US12/338,778
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 356/243.2
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/10 by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/278 Constitution of standards
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4785 Standardising light scatter apparatus; Standards therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06113 Coherent sources; lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0612 Laser diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/062 LED's
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0691 Modulated (not pulsed supply)
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0697 Pulsed lasers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/943 Information storage or retrieval using nanostructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/949 Radiation emitter using nanostructure

Abstract

The present teachings provide for systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards utilizing luminophores, such as nanocrystals, for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.

Claims

1. A method for using a luminescent reference standard in a light-detection system comprising:

providing a light-detection system comprising a light source, a detector, an optical relay structure and an examination area, wherein the optical relay structure provides for directing light between the light source and the examination area, and the examination area and the detector;

providing a luminescent reference standard comprising a support and at least one emissive element, wherein the at least one emissive element comprises a nanocrystalline material, and

placing the reference standard in an optical path between the light source and the detector, wherein the luminescent reference standard is used for validating, calibrating, and monitoring the light-detection system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanocrystalline material has an emission peak is in the range between ultraviolet to near-infrared.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the emission peak is in the range between 500 nm to 700 nm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the support is substantially planar.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the nanocrystalline material is disposed at discrete sites on or in the substantially planar support.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanocrystalline material is a composition comprising a nanocrystalline material and a solvent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanocrystalline material is a composition comprising a nanocrystalline material, a polymer, and a solvent.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the support is a sample-support device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sample-support device is comprised of a plurality of fluid compartments.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one emissive element is at least one nanocrystalline material dispensed in the plurality of fluid compartments.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the luminescent reference standard is placed in a plane at least partially coextensive with the examination area.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the luminescent reference standard is placed along an incident illumination path between the light source and the examination area.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the nanocrystalline material is disposed continuously throughout part or all of the substantially planar support.