SAMPLE HOLDER FOR MICROARRAY READER BASED ON EVANESCENT WAVE BIOSENSOR

• US 20130130937A1
• Filed: 05/20/2010
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Sun, Zhenhong, Liu, Xuanbin, Pan, Tao
• Granted Patent: US 8,809,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 506/16
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/64 Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/648 using evanescent coupling or surface plasmon coupling for the excitation of fluorescence

Abstract

A microarray reader (500) includes a light source (501) which emits light and beam shaping elements (502) positioned near the light source (501) to direct the light. The microarray reader (500) further includes a microarray (504) that is at least formed of an optical substrate (505) and a reaction chamber (506) in contact with the optical substrate (505). A buffer solution (507) is encapsulated by the optical substrate (505) and the reaction chamber (506) and a holder (508) aligns the microarray (504) relative to the light source (501) such that when light hits the buffer solution (507) molecules in the buffer solution (507) are excited to emit fluorescent light. A temperature control component (509) is thermally engaged with the holder (508) such that the temperature control component (509) adjusts the temperature of the buffer solution (507). The microarray reader (500) further includes a sensor (510) that receives the fluorescent light emitted by the excited molecules in the buffer solution (507) to generate a signal. The microarray reader (500) provides a simple and low-cost solution to overcome the drawback of improper alignment of the microarray (504) on the temperature control component (509).

Claims

1. A microarray reader, comprising:

a light source that emits light;

beam shaping elements positioned near the light source to direct the light;

a moving stage supporting the light source and beam shaping elements;

a microarray that includes an optical substrate and a reaction chamber in contact with the optical substrate;

a buffer solution encapsulated by the optical substrate and the reaction chamber;

a holder that aligns the microarray relative to the light source such that when light hits the buffer solution certain molecules in the buffer solution are excited to emit fluorescent light;

a temperature control component thermally engaged with the holder such that the temperature control component adjusts the temperature of the buffer solution; and

a sensor that receives the fluorescent light emitted by the excited molecules in the buffer solution to generate a signal.

2. The microarray reader of claim 1, wherein a PCR reaction occurs within the buffer solution.

3. The microarray reader of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a first baffle that engages a first side of the microarray when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

4. The microarray reader of claim 3, wherein the first baffle engages the optical substrate when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

5. The microarray reader of claim 3, wherein the holder includes a second baffle that engages a second side of the microarray when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

6. The microarray reader of claim 5, wherein the second baffle engages the optical substrate when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

7. The microarray reader of claim 5, wherein the holder includes a third baffle that engages a third side of the microarray when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

8. The microarray reader of claim 7, wherein the third baffle engages the optical substrate when the microarray is appropriately positioned within the holder.

9. The microarray reader of claim 1, further comprising a pin that compresses the microarray against the holder.

10. The microarray reader of claim 9, wherein the pin engages the holder and the optical substrate.

11. The microarray reader of claim 9, wherein the pin is rotatably connected to a first side of the holder and engaged with a projection on an opposing second side of the holder.

12. The microarray reader of claim 11, wherein the holder includes a cylindrical projection on the first side of holder and the pin includes a cylindrical opening that receives the cylindrical projection such that the pin is rotatably connected to the first side of the holder.

13. The microarray reader of claim 12, wherein the holder includes a protrusion on the opposing second side of holder and the pin includes a hook that engages the protrusion to compress the microarray against the holder.

14. The microarray reader of claim 11, further comprising at least one additional pin that compresses the microarray against the holder.

15. The microarray reader of claim 9, wherein the pin is a U-shaped member.

16. The microarray reader of claim 9, wherein the U-shaped member includes a first leg, a second leg and a member that extends between the first leg and the second leg, the holder including recesses on a first side of the holder and recesses on second side of the holder, wherein the first leg is positioned within the recesses on the first side of the holder and the second leg is positioned within the recesses on the second side of the holder.

17. The microarray reader of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a bottom surface such that the temperature control component engages the entire bottom surface of the holder.

18. The microarray reader of claim 17, wherein the holder is bonded to the temperature control component with thermally conductive glue.

19. The microarray reader of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a CCD camera.