Sample analysis system with fiber optics and related method

A sample measurement anti analysis system comprising:

• (a) a fiber-optic channel selecting apparatus comprising:
• (i) an optical input selection device rotatable about a first central axis and comprising a first rotary element having a first internal bore and a first internal optical fiber extending through the first internal bore, the first internal optical fiber having a first input end and a first output end, the first input end disposed collinearly with the first central axis and the first output end disposed at a radially offset distance from the first central axis;
• (ii) an optical output selection device rotatable about a second central axis and comprising a second rotary element having a second internal bore and a second internal optical fiber extending through the second internal bore, the second internal optical fiber having a second input end and a second output end, the second input and disposed at a radially offset distance from the second central axis and the second output end disposed collinearly with the second central axis;
• and
• (iii) a rotatable coupling mechanism interconnecting the optical input selection device and the optical output selection device, wherein rotation of the coupling mechanism causes rotation of the first output end and the second input end;
• (b) a plurality of optical source lines having respective source line input ends, each source line input end selectively optically alignable with the first output end;
• (c) a plurality of optical return lines having respective return line output ends, each return line output end selectively optically alignable with the second input end;
• and
• (d) an optical signal receiving device optically communicating with the second output end.

A sample measurement and analysis system comprising:

• (a) a fiber-optic channel selecting apparatus comprising a rotary element rotatable about a central axis and having an internal bore, and an internal optical fiber extending through the internal bore, the internal optical fiber having an internal optical fiber input end and an internal optical fiber output end, the internal optical fiber input end disposed collinearly with the central axis and the internal optical fiber output end disposed at a radially offset distance from the central axis;
• (b) a plurality of optical source lines having respective source line input ends, each source line input end selectively optically alignable with the internal optical fiber output end;
• (c) a plurality of optical return lines terminating at respective optical fiber ends;
• (d) a mounting member supporting the optical fiber ends;
• and
• (e) an optical signal receiving device optically aligned with each optical fiber end.

A sample measuring and analysis system comprising:

• (a) an optical channel selection device comprising a rotary element rotatable about a central axis, the rotary element comprising an input end surface and an output end surface and having an internal bore defining an optical path running between the input end surface and the output end surface, the internal bore having a first bore end disposed at the input end surface collinearly with the central axis and a second bore end disposed at the output end surface and at a radially offset distance from the central axis, wherein the optical path is adjustable to a plurality of input channel positions;
• (b) a plurality of optical source lines, each source line corresponding to a respective input channel position and selectively coupled to the optical path;
• (c) a plurality of optical probes, each probe coupled to a respective source line;
• and
• (d) a plurality of optical return lines, each return line coupled to a respective probe.

A method for acquiring data from samples, comprising the steps of:

• (a) selecting a test site from a plurality of available test sites by rotating a barrel about a central axis to selected channel position, the barrel comprising an internal bore and an internal optical fiber extending though the bore, the optical fiber having a fiber input end disposed collinearly with the central axis and a fiber output end disposed at a radially offset distance from the central axis, whereby rotation of the barrel to the selected channel position optically aligns the fiber output end with an optical source line optically communicating with the selected test site;
• (b) transmitting an optical signal through the internal optical fiber and source line to the selected test site to irradiate a sample disposed at the selected test site, whereby the optical signal is attenuated;
• and
• (c) transmitting the attenuated optical signal through an optical return line optically communicating with the selected test site.