Multimode reader
AssigneeMolecular Devices, LLC
InventorsDaniel Stock, Josef Atzler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample is provided. The cartridge has one or more light sources and/or optical systems and other components that are specific for a certain type of application such as fluorescence, absorbance, or luminescence. The light source, optical systems, and other components for a specific application are housed in a single cartridge. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with the apparatus in a “plug-in” format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed.
Claims75
A cartridge for use in an apparatus for analyzing a target in a sample, the apparatus having a power source, and the target being capable of generating an emitting light in response to an exciting light, the cartridge comprising:
- a) a light source for producing an exciting light;
- b) a coupler for providing power to the light source from the power source;
- and
- c) a first optical system for directing the exciting light to the target,
- wherein the cartridge is adapted to be removably engaged with the apparatus.
A cartridge for use in an apparatus for analyzing a target in a sample, the apparatus having a power source, and the target being capable of generating an emitting light in response to an exciting light, the cartridge comprising:
- a) a first light source for producing a first exciting light;
- b) a second light source for producing a second exciting light;
- c) a coupler for providing power to the first and second light sources from the power source;
- and
- d) a first optical system for directing one or both of the exciting lights to the target,
- wherein the cartridge is adapted to be removably engaged with the apparatus.
The cartridge of claim 25 further comprising a movable support for supporting the first and second light sources and the second and third optical systems and moving the first and second light sources into a selected position for directing the exciting lights to the sample.
A cartridge for use in an apparatus for analyzing a target in a sample, the apparatus having a power source and a detector, and the target being associated with a functional group having an inactivated state and an activated state, the activated state of the functional group on the target being capable of generating an emitting light in response to an activating light, the cartridge comprising:
- a) a light source for producing the activating light;
- b) a coupler for providing power to the light source from the power source;
- c) a first optical system for directing the activating light to the functional associated with target;
- and
- d) a second optical system for receiving emitting light from the target and directing the emitting light from the target to the detector.
A cartridge for use in an apparatus for analyzing a target in a sample, the apparatus having a read head and a detector, and the target being capable of generating an emitting light, the cartridge comprising:
- a) an integrated read head and a driver for moving the integrated read head;
- and
- b) an optical system for receiving emitting light from the target and directing the emitting light from the target to a detector,
- wherein the cartridge is adapted to be removably engaged with the apparatus.
A cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a target in a sample, the apparatus having a detector and a read head, and the target being capable of generating an emitting light in response to an exciting light, the cartridge system comprising:
- a) a plurality of removable cartridges, at least one removable cartridge having a light source that produces an exciting light and a first optical system for directing the exciting light to the target;
- and
- b) a support configured to receive the plurality of cartridges and align each removable cartridge with the detector and read head.
A system for analyzing a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating a first emitting light in response to a first exciting light, the system comprising:
- a) a structure having a first support;
- b) a power source attached to the structure;
- c) a detector attached to the structure;
- d) a first cartridge removably engaged with the first support, the first cartridge containing (i) a first light source for producing a first exciting light, (ii) a coupler for providing power to the first light source from the power source;
- and (iii) a first optical system for directing the first exciting light to the target;
- and
- e) a read head containing a second optical system that cooperates with the first cartridge for directing the first exciting light to the target.
A system for analyzing a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating an emitting light, the system comprising:
- a) a structure having one or more cartridge supports;
- b) a power source attached to the structure;
- c) a detector attached to the structure;
- d) a first cartridge removably engaged with a cartridge support, the first cartridge having a reagent reservoir, a pump, and a movable nozzle for injecting a reagent into the sample;
- e) a second cartridge removably engaged with a cartridge support, the second cartridge having a first optical system for directing the emitting light from the target to the detector;
- f) a read head containing a second optical system that cooperates with the second cartridge for directing the emitting light to the detector.
A method for fluorescence measurement with an apparatus having a detector and a read head, the measurement using photoactivation of a functional group associated with a target in a sample, the functional group being capable of changing from an inactivated state to an activated state in response to a first exciting light, and being capable of producing an emitting light in response to a second exciting light and comprising the steps of:
- a) selecting a cartridge having (i) a first exciting light source and second exciting light source, the first and second light sources being capable of producing first and second exciting lights, respectively, (ii) a first optical system for directing the first and second exciting lights to the sample, and (iii) a second optical system for directing the emitting light to the detector;
- b) directing the first exciting light to the functional group associated with the target in the sample;
- c) changing the functional group associated with the target from an inactivated state to an activated state;
- d) directing the second exciting light to the functional group associated with the target in the sample;
- e) producing an emitting light from the functional group associated with the target;
- and
- f) directing the emitting light to the detector.
A method for analyzing a first target in a first sample, with an apparatus having a detector and a read head, the first target being capable of generating first and second emitting lights in response to exciting lights of first and second wavelengths, respectively, comprising the steps of:
- a) selecting a cartridge system, the cartridge system comprising:
- (i) first and second removable cartridges, each removable cartridge having one or more light sources that produce an exciting light, the exciting light produced from the first cartridge having a first wavelength, and the exciting light from the second cartridge having a second wavelength, the first and second wavelengths being different;
- and
- (ii) one or more supports configured to receive the first and second removable cartridges and align at least one of the removable cartridges with the detector and the read head;
- b) selecting a first sample to be analyzed;
- c) aligning the first cartridge with the first sample, the detector, and read head;
- d) directing the exciting light from the first cartridge to the first target via the read head;
- e) producing a first emitting light from the first target;
- f) directing the first emitting light from the first target to the detector;
- g) producing a first signal that corresponds to the first emitting light;
- h) aligning the second cartridge with the first sample, the detector, and the read head;
- i) directing the exciting light from the second cartridge to the first target via the read head;
- j) producing a second emitting light from the first target;
- k) directing the second emitting light from the first target to the detector;
- and
- l) producing a second signal that corresponds to the second emitting light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.