Biopolymer array substrate thickness dependent automated focus-distance determination method for biopolymer array scanners
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- (a) providing a biopolymeric array optical scanner configured to determine an optimal focus distance based on at least a first and second reference substrate thickness;
(b) calibrating said biopolymer array optical scanner so that the scanner automatically determines an optimal focus distance based on the thickness of an array substate; and
reading a biopolymeric array with said calibrated biopolymer array optical scanner.
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Abstract
A method and system for determining a biopolymer array substrate thickness dependent optimal focus distance for scanning a molecular array by a molecular array scanner are provided. A reference substrate is automatically scanned at successively greater distances of the stage from a light gathering medium, such as an optical fiber, or z-positions, to produce data providing a functional relationship between z-position and measured signal intensities. The data is then processed by an array substrate thickness dependent focus-finding routine that selects an optimal focus-distance for data scans which is optimized for the thickness of the reference substrate. Also provided are methods of determining the thickness of a biopolymer array substrate using a position sensitive device (PSD) component of a biopolymer array scanner. Further methods include determining the thickness of said biopolymeric array and automatically selecting an optimal focus distance using the determined thickness and a calibration function on thickness versus optimal focus distance. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.
65 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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(a) providing a biopolymeric array optical scanner configured to determine an optimal focus distance based on at least a first and second reference substrate thickness; (b) calibrating said biopolymer array optical scanner so that the scanner automatically determines an optimal focus distance based on the thickness of an array substate; and reading a biopolymeric array with said calibrated biopolymer array optical scanner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A biopolymer array scanner comprising:
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(a) a probe-molecule excitation system; (b) a photodetection system (c) a biopolymer-array-holding stage that holds a biopolymer array for scanning and that can be moved through a range of positions that place an illuminated region of the surface of the biopolymer array at different distances from the photodetection system; and (d) an automated array substrate thickness dependent focus-distance-determination subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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(a) providing a biopolymeric array optical scanner configured to determine an optimal focus distance based on at least a first thickness of a first reference substrate and second thickness of a second reference substrate; (b) calibrating said biopolymer array optical scanner so that the scanner automatically determines an optimal focus distance based on the thickness of an array substrate; and reading a biopolymeric array with said calibrated biopolymer array optical scanner.
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Specification