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US 10,948,401 B2Granted
Spinning apparatus for measurement of characteristics relating to molecules
AssigneesPresident and Fellows of Harvard College, Children's Medical Center Corporation
InventorsDarren Yang, Andrew Ward, Wesley Philip Wong, Kenneth Anders Halvorsen
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Abstract
An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample using a centrifuge and optical components is disclosed. The centrifuge may be a standard benchtop centrifuge. The optical components may be sized and dimensioned to fit, along with the sample, inside the centrifuge.
Claims17
An apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a sample, the apparatus being a spinning force system, and comprising:
- a module comprising:
- a sample holder;
- a light source configured to illuminate the sample;
- an imaging axis oriented along a direction at which light from the light source hits the sample holder;
- and
- a detector configured to receive light from the light source,
- wherein the module is sized and dimensioned to fit within a centrifuge receptacle having a volume of less than or equal to 1 L,
- and wherein the spinning force system is arranged such that a direction of centrifugal force applied to the sample holder by a centrifuge and the imaging axis are misaligned in order to track lateral particle motion.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- attaching a particle to a surface through a molecular interaction associated with a first molecule and a second molecule;
- rotating the surface about an axis of rotation to apply a centrifugal force to the particle, the centrifugal force having a direction;
- hitting the particle with light from a light source;
- detecting an image of the particle with a detector during rotation of the surface, the image containing information representing a characteristic of the molecular interaction;
- and
- determining the characteristic of the molecular interaction based on the detected image, wherein an imaging axis is angled relative to the direction of the centrifugal force, the imaging axis being oriented along the direction at which light from the light source hits the particle to permit tracking of lateral particle motion.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.