US 5,780,857 A · Apparatus for imaging biochemical samples on substrates

Abstract

A multi-purpose optical scanner that is provided for performing different type of high sensitivity imaging of planar biochemical samples. These types of samples include stimulable phosphor image plates, fluorescently labelled samples like electrophoretic gels, TLC-plates, blots etc. or multi-well support of samples and colored planar samples. According to an embodiment of the present invention the multi-purpose optical scanner comprises a measurement unit, a sample support and a scanning mechanics to provide relative movements between the sample on the sample support and the measurement unit. The measurement unit includes a fiber-coupled light source and a measuring head having a fixed light source, a detector, optics and a holder for interchangeable and application specifics filter cubes. The filter cubes include necessary filters and beamsplitters for different operating modes and applications. The orientation of the beamsplitter in the specific filter cube determines which light source will be in use.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of quantitative reading of different types of flat samples by an imaging apparatus of optical scanner type, which samples include such components as phosphor image plates, fluorescent labelled gels and filters, microtitration plates with fluorescent samples and colored planar samples, the method comprising the following steps:

placing the sample on the sample support in the multi-purpose optical scanner,
installing an appropriate filter cube into the filter cube holder of the multi-purpose optical scanner,
switching on the appropriate light source,
scanning the sample line by line,
collecting the subsequent optical signal into the photodetector,
sensing the photodetector output with appropriate electronics,
saving the output signal into the memory of the computer for later analysis.

4 more elements

An imaging apparatus of the optical scanner type for measuring biochemical samples on substrates, the apparatus being a multipurpose optical scanner to operate in a measurement mode selected from phosphor image plate reading, fluorescence reading or colored plate sample reading, and the apparatus comprising:

a sample support plate supporting a sample,
a measurement head being movable to scan the sample,
a first light source being a remote light source equipped with an optical guiding means for guiding light from the first light source to the measurement head,
the measurement head having a detector being connected to detection electronics with a computer interface,
wherein in the imaging apparatus said measurement head comprises
a fixed light source,
an objecting lens being adapted for focusing stimulating light from the first light source on to the second light source onto the sample and for collecting light emitted from the sample into the detector, which emitted light is caused by the stimulating light;
a holder for an interchangeable optical part, the holder having mechanical attachments and optical paths for the interchangeable optical part,
in the holder of said measurement head is placed one interchangeable optical part,
said interchangeable optical part comprising
corresponding mechanical attachments and optical paths for the mechanical attachments and the optical paths of the holder,
a specific combination of optical components to determine the imaging apparatus for operating a specific measurement mode, and
said apparatus having means for storing interchangeable optical parts.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for imaging biochemical samples on substrates

Life of this patent

Apparatus for imaging biochemical samples on substrates

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24