Analytic device with 2D scanning mirror reader
AssigneeMicropoint Bioscience, Inc.
InventorsNan Zhang, Pingyi Yan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention provides methods of array reading and readers of assay result arrays wherein light can be scanned onto analytical region array members from a light source and/or light can be scanned from array members to a detector. One or more mirrors can have one of more pivotable axes enabling scanning light paths to be established between assay result arrays and other components of an analytical device.
Claims35
An analytical device comprising:
- a pivotable mirror comprising two pivot axes;
- a first actuator configured to pivot the mirror on a first of the two axes;
- a second actuator configured to pivot the mirror on a second of the two axes;
- an array of three or more analytical regions, which three regions are not aligned along a straight line;
- and,
- a light detector oriented to receive light from the mirror;
- wherein the mirror is mounted to pivot on the axes to sequentially reflect light from each of the three regions to the detector.
A device comprising:
- a micromirror pivotably mounted at a first pivot axis and at a second pivot axis;
- and,
- a light detector oriented to receive light reflected directly from the micromirror.
A device comprising:
- two pivotably mounted micromirrors and a light detector or a light source;
- and,
- a light path from a first of the two micro mirrors to a second of the two micromirrors on to the light detector or light source.
A method of detecting assay results on a two dimensional array, the method comprising:
- illuminating one or more analytical regions on the array;
- and,
- reflecting light from the one or more first analytical regions from a first mirror onto a light detector;
- wherein the first mirror comprises a first pivotable mount defining a first pivotable axis and a second pivotable mount defining a second pivotable axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
A method of scanning light onto a two-dimensional (2D) analytical array, the method comprising:
- directing a beam of light onto a first pivotable mirror comprising a first pivotable axis;
- reflecting the beam of light from the first mirror to a second pivotable mirror having a second pivotable axis not parallel to the first pivotable axis;
- reflecting the beam of light from the second mirror on to illuminate a first analytical region of an array of analytical regions;
- and,
- pivoting the first mirror on the first axis to redirect the beam to illuminate a second analytical region of the array or pivoting the second mirror on the second axis to redirect the beam to illuminate the second analytical region of the array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.