Optical system and method for reading encoded microbeads
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical system comprising:
- microbeads that are structurally distinct and capable of moving independently with respect to one another, the microbeads being encoded and configured to provide output light signals onto a Fourier plane when illuminated by an incident light;
an input light source configured to illuminate the structurally distinct microbeads thereby providing the output light signals, the output light signals configured to be projected onto the Fourier plane in a readable manner;
a reading device positioned to detect the output light signals from the Fourier plane;
a processor configured to perform Fourier plane analysis of the optical light signals to determine corresponding codes of the microbeads; and
a support substrate configured to receive a plurality of the microbeads that are randomly distributed along the support substrate.
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Abstract
An optical system for reading encoded microbeads. The microbeads provide output light signals onto a Fourier plane when illuminated by an incident light. The system includes an input light source that is configured to illuminate the microbeads thereby providing the output light signals. The output light signals are configured to be projected onto the Fourier plane in a readable manner. The system also includes a reading device that is positioned to detect the output light signals from the Fourier plane. The system also includes a processor that is configured to perform Fourier plane analysis of the optical light signals to determine corresponding codes of the microbeads.
470 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical system comprising:
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microbeads that are structurally distinct and capable of moving independently with respect to one another, the microbeads being encoded and configured to provide output light signals onto a Fourier plane when illuminated by an incident light; an input light source configured to illuminate the structurally distinct microbeads thereby providing the output light signals, the output light signals configured to be projected onto the Fourier plane in a readable manner; a reading device positioned to detect the output light signals from the Fourier plane; a processor configured to perform Fourier plane analysis of the optical light signals to determine corresponding codes of the microbeads; and a support substrate configured to receive a plurality of the microbeads that are randomly distributed along the support substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical system comprising:
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microbeads that are structurally distinct and capable of moving independently with respect to one another, the microbeads being encoded and configured to provide output light signals onto a Fourier plane when illuminated by an incident light; an input light source configured to illuminate the microbeads thereby providing the output light signals, the output light signals configured to be projected onto the Fourier plane in a readable manner; a reading device positioned to detect the output light signals from the Fourier plane; and a processor configured to perform Fourier plane analysis of the optical light signals to determine corresponding codes of the microbeads, wherein the processor identifies chemical probes immobilized to the microbeads based upon the code.
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16. A method for reading encoded microbeads, comprising:
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providing a plurality of microbeads having individually identifiable codes, the microbeads being structurally distinct and capable of moving independently with respect to one another, the microbeads being provided onto a support substrate and randomly distributed along the support substrate; illuminating the microbeads with an incident light, the codes providing corresponding output light signals indicative of the respective codes, the corresponding output light signals of the microbeads being projected on a Fourier plane; and reading the respective codes from the Fourier plane. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for reading encoded microbeads, comprising:
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providing a plurality of microbeads having individually identifiable codes; illuminating the microbeads with an incident light, the codes providing corresponding output light signals indicative of the respective codes, the corresponding output light signals of the microbeads being projected on a Fourier plane; and reading the respective codes from the Fourier plane, wherein the codes of the microbeads are correlated to chemical probes that are immobilized to the microbeads, the method further comprising identifying the chemical probe using the code. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification