Filter Device for an Optical Module for a Lab-on-a-Chip Analysis Device, Optical Module for a Lab-on-a-Chip Analysis Device and Method for Operating an Optical Module for a Lab-on-a-Chip Analysis Device

An optical module for a lab-on-a-chip analysis device, the optical module comprising:

• a light source;
• a receptacle region configured to receive a lab-on-a-chip cartridge;
• an image sensor;
• a first filter device arranged in an excitation light path between the light source and the receptacle region, the first filter device comprising:
• a first carrier element;
• a first filter carrier movably arranged on the first carrier element, the first filter carrier having a first filter region and a second filter region;
• and
• a first drive unit configured to move the first filter carrier between a first position, in which the first filter region is arranged in the excitation light path, and a second position, in which the second filter region is arranged in the excitation light path;
• and
• a second filter device arranged in a detection light path between the receptacle region and the image sensor, the second filter device comprising:
• a second carrier element;
• a second filter carrier movably arranged on the second carrier element, the second filter carrier having a third filter region and a fourth filter region;
• and
• a second drive unit configured to move the second filter carrier between a third position, in which the third filter region is arranged in the detection light path, and a fourth position, in which the fourth filter region is arranged in the detection light path.

A method for operating an optical module for a lab-on-a-chip analysis device, the optical module including (i) a light source;

• (ii) a receptacle region configured to receive a lab-on-a-chip cartridge;
• (iii) an image sensor;
• (iv) a first filter device in an excitation light path between the light source and the receptacle region;
• and (v) a second filter device arranged in a detection light path between the receptacle region and the image sensor, each of the first and second filter devices including (a) a carrier element, (b) a filter carrier movably arranged on the carrier element, the first filter carrier having a first filter region and a second filter region, and (c) a drive unit configured to move the filter carrier between a first position, in which the first filter region is arranged in the respective excitation or detection light path, and a second position, in which the second filter region is arranged in the respective excitation or detection light path the method comprising:
• providing a first setting signal, which is configured to set the filter carrier of the first filter device in a first position associated with a first analysis mode;
• providing a second setting signal, which is configured to set the filter carrier of the second filter device in a second position associated with the first analysis mode;
• providing a first filter change signal, which is configured to set the filter carrier of the first filter device in a third position associated with a second analysis mode;
• and
• providing a second filter change signal, which is configured to set the filter carrier of the second filter device in a fourth position associated with the second analysis mode.