# US 9,753,033 B2 · Device and associated methods for performing luminescence and fluorescence measurements of a sample > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,753,033 B2 - Document ID: US9753033B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/634,011 - Filed: 2015-02-27 - Published: 2015-06-25 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Hycor Biomedical, Inc. - Applicants: Hycor Biomedical, Inc. - Inventors: Ronald Norman Diamond; Steve Michael Gann; Eric Darnell Hall; Tae Ho Hwang; John Lewis Morton; Anatoly Moskalev; Bruce Alan Sargeant; Dennis Edwin Rieger; Marinela Gombosev; Mark David Van Cleve - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753033B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G01N 21/274: {Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction} - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - G01N 21/76: Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence - G01N 33/5306: {Improving reaction conditions, e.g. reduction of non-specific binding, promotion of specific binding} - G01N 33/54326: {Magnetic particles} - G01N 33/5434: {using magnetic particle immunoreagent carriers which constitute new materials per se} - G01N 33/54393: {Improving reaction conditions or stability, e.g. by coating or irradiation of surface, by reduction of non-specific binding, by promotion of specific binding} - G01N 33/564: for pre-existing immune complex or autoimmune disease {, i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid factors or complement components C1-C9} - G01N 33/569: for microorganisms, e.g. protozoa, bacteria, viruses - G01N 33/5695: {Mycobacteria} - G01N 33/56983: {Viruses} - G01N 33/582: {with fluorescent label} - G01N 33/6854: {Immunoglobulins} - G01N 33/6893: {related to diseases not provided for elsewhere} - G01N 35/0098: {involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation (magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C)} - G01N 35/1011: {Control of the position or alignment of the transfer device} - G01N 2021/6484: {Optical fibres} - G01N 2035/0453: {Multiple carousels working in parallel} - G01N 2035/1062: {for testing the liquid while it is in the transfer device} - G01N 2201/0469: One cell, sequential, e.g. successive samples - G01N 2201/062: LED's - G01N 2201/0646: Light seals - G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides - G01N 2201/084: Fibres for remote transmission - G01N 2201/12707: Pre-test of apparatus, e.g. dark test, sensor test - G01N 2333/4703: Regulators; Modulating activity - G01N 2333/62: Insulins - G01N 2333/78: Connective tissue peptides, e.g. collagen, elastin, laminin, fibronectin, vitronectin, cold insoluble globulin [CIG] - G01N 2800/24: Immunology or allergic disorders - Y10T 436/119163: with aspirator of claimed structure - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Apparatuses and methods of optically analyzing fluid within a pipette are described herein. In an embodiment, an optical reader subassembly includes a pipette having a tip, the pipette configured to aspirate a fluid sample and hold the fluid sample within the tip, a housing including a reentrant seal and an internal area, the housing configured to receive at least the tip of the pipette through the reentrant seal so that the tip of the pipette is located in a light tight manner within the internal area, a light source positioned to be in proximity to the tip of the pipette when the tip of the pipette is received by the housing, the light source configured to project light through the tip of the pipette and onto the fluid sample held within the tip, and an optical sensor configured to take a reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette without any of the fluid sample being injected from the pipette. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An optical reader subassembly comprising: a pipette having a tip, the pipette configured to aspirate a fluid sample and hold the fluid sample within the tip; a housing including a reentrant seal and an internal area, the housing configured to receive at least the tip of the pipette through the reentrant seal so that the tip of the pipette is located in a light tight manner within the internal area; a light source positioned to be in proximity to the tip of the pipette when the tip of the pipette is received by the housing, the light source configured to project light through the tip of the pipette and onto the fluid sample held within the tip, the light source including a bifurcated fiber optic cable; and an optical sensor configured to take a reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette without any of the fluid sample being injected from the pipette. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, which includes a pipette transfer arm configured to transfer the pipette to the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, wherein the pipette includes a feature that prevents stray light from entering the internal area of the housing after the tip of the pipette is received by the housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical reader subassembly of claim 3, wherein the feature mates with the reentrant seal of the housing to prevent stray light from entering the internal area of the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is configured to move between at least two of: (i) a first position for taking a luminescence reading of the fluid sample; (ii) a second position for taking a dark current or other background measurement; and (iii) a third position for taking a fluorescence reading of the fluid sample. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, wherein the bifurcated fiber optic bundle includes a first bundle to project the light through the tip of the pipette and a second bundle to receive emission light from the fluid sample and transmit the emission light to the optical sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is configured to take both a fluorescence reading and a luminescence reading of the fluid sample. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical reader subassembly of claim 1, which includes a light trap to prevent reflectance of the projected light within the internal area of the housing. ### Claim 9 An optical reader subassembly comprising: a pipette having a tip, the pipette configured to aspirate a fluid sample and hold the fluid sample within the tip; a pipette transfer arm configured to lower at least the tip of the pipette into a light tight area; a light source positioned to be in proximity to the tip of the pipette when the tip of the pipette is lowered into the light tight area, the light source configured to project light through the tip of the pipette and onto the fluid sample held within the tip, the light source including a bifurcated fiber optic cable; and an optical sensor configured to take a reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette without any of the fluid sample being injected from the pipette. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The optical subassembly of claim 9, wherein the pipette transfer arm is configured to seal the light tight area as it lowers the tip of the pipette into the light tight area. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The optical subassembly of claim 9, wherein the light tight area is contained within a housing, and wherein the light source and the optical sensor are located within the housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The optical subassembly of claim 11, wherein the pipette transfer arm is configured to rotate the pipette towards the housing after the pipette has aspirated the fluid sample into the tip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The optical subassembly of claim 9, wherein the light source is positioned to a horizontal side of the tip of the pipette when the tip of the pipette is positioned within the light tight area. ### Claim 14 A method of optically analyzing fluid within a pipette, comprising: aspirating a fluid sample into a tip of the pipette; locating the pipette so that at least the tip of the pipette is positioned within a light tight area; projecting light through a bifurcated fiber optic cable to the tip of the pipette and onto the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette; and taking at least one of a luminescence reading and a fluorescence reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette without any of the fluid sample being injected from the pipette. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, which includes removing the tip of the pipette from the light tight area before any of the fluid sample is injected from the pipette. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, which includes rotating the pipette towards the light tight area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, which includes transmitting a fluorescent excitation light to an optical detector to take the fluorescence reading of the fluid sample. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, which includes sealing the light tight area as the tip of the pipette is positioned within the light tight area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, which includes taking both the luminescence reading and the fluorescence reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette while the tip of the pipette is positioned within the light tight area.