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Systems and methods for fluorescence detection with a movable detection module

  • US 8,835,118 B2
  • Filed: 07/05/2012
  • Issued: 09/16/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A thermal cycler apparatus comprising:

  • a housing;

    a sample unit within the housing, the sample unit having a plurality of sample wells therein;

    an electronic temperature control subsystem operable to regulate a temperature of the sample unit such that the sample wells are held at a succession of specific temperatures for specific lengths of time to complete a reaction cycle;

    a heater disposed inside the housing and positioned adjacent to the sample unit, the heater having a plurality of openings therein to permit optical communication with each of the plurality of sample wells; and

    a fluorometer assembly disposed inside the housing on a side of the heater opposite the sample wells, the fluorometer assembly including a support structure and a movable subassembly movably mounted on the support structure,the movable subassembly including a detection module that includes;

    a housing having an opening oriented toward the plurality of wells;

    a light emitting diode (LED) light source disposed within the housing; and

    an emission light detector disposed within the housing,wherein, during operation of the thermal cycler apparatus, the detection module is movable to be positioned in optical communication with different sample wells of the plurality of sample wells through the plurality of openings in the heater.

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