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US 2001/0033381 A1Published application
Light detection device with means for tracking samples sites
AssigneeLJL BioSystems, Inc.
InventorsDavid P. Stumbo, Douglas N. Modlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for optical detection with improved read speed and/or signal-to-noise ratio.
Claims34
An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a substrate having a plurality of sample sites, the apparatus comprising:
- a stage for supporting the substrate, the stage being configured to move the substrate in a first direction so that the sample sites pass sequentially through an examination region delimited by a detection initiation position and a detection termination position;
- a detector configured to detect light;
- an optical relay structure configured to transmit light from a sensed volume within the examination region to the detector, the sensed volume being smaller than the examination region;
- and
- an automated scanning mechanism configured to move the sensed volume in the first direction between the detection initiation position and the detection termination position;
- wherein the sensed volume tracks a first sample site as it moves between the initiation position and the termination position, so that light transmitted by the first sample can be detected by the detector.
3 more elements
An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample site, the apparatus comprising:
- a stage for supporting a substrate containing the sample site;
- a detector configured to detect light;
- an optical relay structure positioned between the stage and the detector and configured to transmit light from a sensed volume to the detector;
- and
- a support structure configured to support the stage, the detector, and the optical relay structure;
- where the stage and the optical relay structure are configured to align the sample site and the sensed volume automatically and to maintain that alignment while moving the sample site relative to a fixed portion of the support structure, so that light transmitted from the sample site can be detected by the detector as the sample site is moved.
3 more elements
An apparatus for detecting light transmitted from a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a support structure having a stage for supporting a substrate containing the sample;
- and
- means for detecting light from a sensed volume in the sample while the sensed volume and the sample move substantially together relative to the support structure.
A method of detecting light transmitted from a substrate having first and second sample sites, the method comprising:
- moving the substrate in a first direction so that the first and second sample sites pass sequentially through an initiation position and an alignment position;
- aligning a sensed volume with the first sample site at the initiation position and maintaining the alignment while detecting light transmitted from the sensed volume as the first sample site moves from the initiation position to the termination position;
- and
- aligning the sensed volume with the second sample site at the initiation position and maintaining the alignment while detecting light transmitted from the sensed volume as the second sample site moves from the initiation position to the termination position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.