US 6,139,800 A · Interlaced lasers for multiple fluorescence measurement

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting at least one receptor in a biological sample in a flow stream for immunoassays, complex genetic analyses, and enzymatic assays. The biological sample includes a carrier having an indicator, such as a fluorescent dye, and a reactant that reacts to the receptor. The indicator indicates a presence of the receptor upon excitation by light having a wavelength or a band of wavelengths. The apparatus includes a viewing chamber for receiving the biological sample in the flow stream and for displaying the same. Light sources are arranged around the viewing chamber so as to emit light sequentially, simultaneously, or substantially simultaneously toward substantially identical or overlapping focal regions in the viewing chamber. At least one optical detector is configured to detect light emitted from the sample responsive to light emitted from the light sources. The apparatus includes band-pass filters for filtering out the emission wavelength reflecting the presence of the receptor and at least one multi-mode fiber optic cable connecting the optical detector to the filters.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting at least one receptor in at least one biological sample in a flow stream for at least one of immunoassays, complex genetic analyses, and enzymatic assays, the biological sample including at least one indicator indicating a presence of the at least one receptor upon excitation by at least one of a wavelength and band of wavelengths, said apparatus comprising:

a viewing chamber receiving the at least one biological sample and providing a plurality of focal regions therefor;
a plurality of light sources configured to emit light, one of sequentially, simultaneously, and substantially simultaneously, toward a substantially identical focal region of said plurality of focal regions in said viewing chamber on said at least one biological sample;
and
a plurality of optical detectors in optical relationship with said plurality of light sources, respectively, and detecting a plurality of sample light emitted from said at least one sample responsive to the light emitted from the substantially identical focal region of said at least one biological sample.

1 more element

An apparatus for detecting at least one receptor in at least one biological sample in a flow stream for at least one of immunoassays, complex genetic analyses, and enzymatic assays, the at least one biological sample including at least one indicator indicating a presence of the at least one receptor upon excitation by a wavelength or band of wavelengths, said apparatus comprising:

a viewing chamber receiving the at least one biological sample in the flow stream;
a plurality of light sources, each directed to one of substantially identical and overlapping focal region with respect to said viewing chamber relative to remaining light sources of said plurality of light sources;
and
at least one optical detector detecting light at least one of emitted and reflected from the at least one biological sample.

1 more element

An apparatus for detecting at least two receptors in a biological sample transported in a flow stream for at least one of immunoassays, complex genetic analyses, and enzymatic assays, the biological sample including at least two indicators indicating a presence of the at least two receptors upon excitation by a wavelength or band of wavelengths, said apparatus comprising:

a viewing chamber receiving the biological sample transported via the flow stream;
a plurality of light sources arranged to emit, one of sequentially, simultaneously, and substantially simultaneously, light having at least two focal regions on the biological sample so as to illuminate the biological sample at a same or substantially same location in said viewing chamber, said plurality of light sources having wavelengths or bands of wavelengths selected to excite the at least two indicators in the biological sample by emitting the light on the two focal regions;
at least one optical detector optically responsive to said plurality of light sources so as to detect the presence of the at least two receptors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interlaced lasers for multiple fluorescence measurement

Life of this patent

Interlaced lasers for multiple fluorescence measurement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22