Automated system for simultaneously performing a plurality of signal-based assays

An apparatus for scheduling and performing a plurality of fluorescence assays using a plurality of plates each including a plurality of wells, the apparatus comprising:

• an excitation system configured to project, for each plate, excitation radiation uniformly onto a portion of the respective plate throughout which the plurality of wells are distributed, thereby simultaneously and uniformly illuminating both the plurality of wells and the portion that is disposed between each of the plurality of wells;
• a detection system configured to detect for each plate, an image of fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells on the respective plate simultaneously;
• a memory configured to store data representing at least first and second tracks and representing at least one critical point at which the first and second tracks are tied together in time, each of the first and second tracks defining a set of assay operations in time, at least a portion of the first track to be performed simultaneously with the second track;
• a robotic device configured to perform at least a portion of the sets of assay operations on at least one of the plates;
• and
• a scheduler configured to control the robotic device to finish a portion of the set of assay operations of the second track defined prior to the critical point before allowing the robotic device to begin a portion of the set of assay operations of the first track defined after the critical point,
• thereby providing for a more fully optimized scheduling of the assay operations.

An apparatus for simultaneously performing a plurality of fluorescence assays using a plate containing a plurality of wells, the apparatus comprising:

• a detector configured to detect fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells simultaneous and for generating data representing the fluorescence an excitation system configured to project excitation radiation uniformly onto a portion of the plate throughout which the plurality of wells are distributed, thereby simultaneously and uniformly illuminating both the plurality of wells and the portion that is disposed between each of the plurality of wells;
• a processor connected to the detector and configured to receive the data representing the fluorescence and generate a real or pseudo-real time graphical representation of a status of the fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells;
• and
• a display connected to the processor and configured to display in real or pseudo real time the graphical representation of the status of the fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells, the graphical representation indicating an arrangement in the plate of the plurality of wells,
• wherein the real or pseudo-real time graphical representation includes a plurality of regions each having a particular color or a particular pseudo-color depending upon the status of at least one of the plurality of wells,
• thereby allowing a user to view the plurality of wells all at once and to more easily correlate the graphical representation with each of the plurality of wells of the plate.

An apparatus for simultaneously performing a plurality of fluorescence assays using a plate including a plurality of wells distributed throughout at least a portion of the plate, the apparatus comprising:

• an excitation device configured to alternately project uniformly both a first excitation radiation having a first wavelength and a second excitation radiation having a second wavelength onto the portion of the plate throughout which the plurality of wells are distributed,
• thereby simultaneously and uniformly illuminating both the plurality of wells and the portion that is disposed between each of the plurality of wells;
• a detector configured to detect a first fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells in response to the first excitation radiation and a second fluorescence emitted from each of the plurality of wells in response to the second excitation radiation and for generating data representing an amount of the first and second fluorescence for each of the plurality of wells simultaneously;
• and
• a processor configured to receive the data and divide the amount of the first fluorescence of at least one of the wells by the amount of the second fluorescence of the at least one of the wells to generate a test result.

An apparatus for simultaneously performing a plurality of fluorescence assays using a plate including a plurality of wells, the apparatus comprising:

• an excitation system configured to project excitation radiation uniformly onto a surface of the plate including the plurality of wells, thereby simultaneously and uniformly illuminating the plurality of wells;
• a detection system configured to simultaneously detect at least a portion of fluorescence radiation generated from the plurality of wells;
• and
• a mirror disposed so as to redirect the excitation radiation toward the surface of the plate, the mirror being disposed between the plate and the detection system such that the at least a portion of fluorescence radiation passes through the mirror prior to being received by the detection system.