Scanning system and method for scanning a plurality of samples
View Patent ↗A system for detecting fluorescence emitted from a plurality of samples in a sample tray is provided. The system generally includes a plurality of lenses positioned in a linear arrangement, a linear actuator configured to translate the plurality of lenses, an excitation light source for generating an excitation light, an excitation light direction mechanism for directing the excitation light to a single lens of the plurality of lenses at a time so that a single sample holder aligned with the lens is illuminated at a time, and an optical detection system for analyzing light from the sample holders. In certain embodiments, the optical detection system includes a light dispersing element configured to spectrally disperse the light from the sample holder being illuminated, and a lens element configured to receive light from the light dispersing element and direct the light onto a light detection device. A method of scanning a sample tray having a plurality of samples positioned in sample holders to detect fluorescence is also provided.
1. A system for scanning a plurality of samples, comprising:
a lens housing comprising a plurality of lenses positioned in a linear row, each lens configured to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from a single aligned sample at a time; and
a rotating mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time, wherein the single lens is aligned to the single sample.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a light detection device for analyzing the fluorescent light collected from the sample.
3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a transmission grating between the lens housing and the light detection device.
4. The system of claim 3 , further comprising a filter between the lens housing and the light detection device.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the light detection device is a charge-couple device.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the charge-couple device is configured to analyze the spectrum for each of the sample holders, the spectrum for each of the sample holder being spatially separated on the charge-coupled device from the spectrum for the adjacent sample holder.
7. A system for analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:
several excitation sources for generating excitation light;
a lens housing comprising a plurality of lenses, each lens configured to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from the plurality of samples, wherein each lens is aligned to each sample; and
a rotating mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time, wherein the single lens is aligned to a single sample.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a light detection device for analyzing the fluorescent light collected.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the light detection device is a multi-element photodetector.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the light detection device is a single-element photodetector.
11. A method of scanning a plurality of samples to detect fluorescence, comprising:
providing excitation light from several excitation light sources;
translating a linear row of lenses to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from a single sample holder at a time;
rotating a mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time, wherein the single lens is aligned to a single sample; and
detecting the fluorescent light.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the translating comprises linear movement at substantially uniform speed.
13. A method of scanning a plurality of samples to detect fluorescence, comprising:
providing excitation light from an excitation light source;
providing a lens housing comprising a linear row of lenses;
providing a sample tray comprising the plurality of samples;
translating a row of lenses to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from a single sample holder at a time;
rotating a mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time; and
detecting the fluorescent light.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the translating comprises linear movement at substantially uniform speed.
15. A method of detecting fluorescence from a plurality of samples, comprising:
providing excitation light from several excitation light sources;
providing a lens housing comprising a plurality of lenses;
providing a sample tray comprising a plurality of samples;
positioning the lens housing to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from a single sample holder at a time;
rotating a mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time, wherein the single lens is aligned to a single sample and
detecting the fluorescent light.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the detecting comprises reading a single sample well on a single element detector.
17. A system for detecting fluorescent light from a plurality of samples, comprising:
several excitation sources for generating excitation light; and
a lens housing comprising a plurality of lenses, each lens configured to direct excitation light to and collect fluorescent light from a plurality of samples, wherein each lens is aligned to each sample;
a rotating mirror to direct the excitation light to a single lens at a time, wherein the single lens is aligned to a single sample;
a light detection device for analyzing the fluorescent light collected; and
apertures between the plurality of lenses and the light detection device to reduce cross-talk between samples.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the light detection device is a multi-element photodetector.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the light detection device is a single-element photodetector.