# US 7,608,841 B2 · System and method for a fluorescence excitation and detection having distinct optical paths > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,841 B2 - Document ID: US7608841B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/451,903 - Filed: 2006-06-12 - Published: 2007-05-24 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-13 - Assignees: Stratagene California - Inventors: Taylor A. Reid; Roger H. Taylor; Kenneth J. Zajac - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608841B2 ## CPC - G01J 3/10: Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry - G01J 3/4406: {Fluorescence spectrometry} - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)} - G01J 2003/1213: {Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band} - G01N 2021/6484: {Optical fibres} - G01N 2201/0446: Multicell plate, sequential - G01N 2201/0612: Laser diodes - G01N 2201/062: LED's - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A system and method for fluorescence excitation and detection having distinct optical paths is disclosed. A system for detecting fluorescence comprises a light source that emits an excitation light into an illumination tube; a plurality of collection optics located around an aperture in the illumination tube for collecting fluorescence; and a detector for determining the amount of fluorescence. A method for detecting fluorescence comprises emitting an excitation light from a light source into an illumination tube; directing the excitation light to an excitation filter; illuminating a sample with the excitation light to generate an emission light; and detecting the optical characteristics of the emission light using a plurality of collection optics located around the illumination tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting fluorescence comprising: a light source that emits an excitation light into an illumination tube; a plurality of collection optics located around and outside of an aperture in the illumination tube for collecting fluorescence, wherein the plurality of collection optics form a conical shape around the illumination tube; and a detector for determining the amount of fluorescence, wherein the illumination tube and collection optics are disposed such that excitation light from the illumination tube and fluorescence collected by the collection optics from a sample are on the same side of the sample, and wherein the system does not comprise a beam splitter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an excitation filter in the illumination tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of collection optics are fiber optics. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of collection optics are light pipes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of collection optics are fluid filled fibers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is a laser diode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the light source is an incandescent light source. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is a photodiode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is an avalanche photodiode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is a photomultiplier tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the detector is a charge-coupled device. ### Claim 13 A detection system for detecting fluorescence from a plurality of samples comprising: an illumination tube for receiving an excitation light from a light emitting diode; a plurality of collection optics located around and outside of an aperture in the illumination tube for collecting fluorescence, wherein the plurality of collection optics form a conical shape around the illumination tube; and a photodiode for detecting the amount of fluorescence, wherein the illumination tube and collection optics are disposed such that excitation light from the illumination tube and fluorescence collected by the collection optics from a sample are on the same side of the sample, and wherein the system does not comprise a beam splitter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of collection optics are fiber optics. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of collection optics are light pipes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of collection optics are fluid filled fibers. ### Claim 17 A method for detecting fluorescence comprising: emitting an excitation light from a light source into an illumination tube; directing the excitation light to an excitation filter; illuminating a sample with the excitation light to generate an emission light; and detecting the optical characteristics of the emission light using a plurality of collection optics located around and outside of the illumination tube, wherein the plurality of collection optics form a conical shape around the illumination tube, wherein the illumination tube and collection optics are disposed such that excitation light from the illumination tube and fluorescence collected by the collection optics from a sample are on the same side of the sample, and wherein the system does not comprise a beam splitter.