Patent US5002392A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5002392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multichannel optical monitoring system
Assignee: Trinity Biotech Manufacturing Ltd
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Filing: 1989-12-01
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Granted: 1991-03-26
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Expires: 2009-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples. A plurality of light beams are generated and a plurality of optical monitoring stations are arranged along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored. A drive mechanism moves a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams. A diffraction grating is arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes. The diffracted beams are focussed and at least one array of photodetectors is positioned for receiving the diffracted and focussed beams for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams. An electronic circuit detects the electrical signals of the array, which signals may be stored for further processing and evaluation.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Hermas Swope
- 👤 John G. Link
- 👤 Douglas G. Haugen
- 👤 Joseph G. Karp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/18; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0232; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/251; G01N21/253; G01J3/1838; G01N21/01; G01N21/03; G01N2021/0325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; shutter means disposed in the optical pathways formed by the light beams between said beam means and said diffraction means for sequentially passing the light beams toward said diffraction means; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least on array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; shutter means disposed in the optical pathways formed by the light beams between said beam means and said diffraction means for sequentially passing the light beams toward said diffraction means; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least on array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said shutter means comprises a rotating cylinder defining radial passages axially arranged for sequentially passing the light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 2, wherein said rotating cylinder includes a plurality of concentrically arranged discs each having a sector removed for defining the respective radial passages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one array comprises a plurality of arrays, each array being associated with a group of beams; and said shutter means sequentially passes the beams in each group so that only one light beam of each group of beams is allowed to reach a respective one of the arrays at any one time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 1, wherein said shutter means is disposed between said pathway and said diffraction means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
240 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: a broad spectral band light source; slit means defining a slit positioned in front of said light source for passing a light beam having the pattern of the slit; collimating means following said slit means for projecting the light beam to infinity to form a diverging beam; beam dividing means following said collimating means for dividing the diverging beam into a number of spaced apart light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the spaced apart light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the spaced apart light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
240 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: a broad spectral band light source; slit means defining a slit positioned in front of said light source for passing a light beam having the pattern of the slit; collimating means following said slit means for projecting the light beam to infinity to form a diverging beam; beam dividing means following said collimating means for dividing the diverging beam into a number of spaced apart light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the spaced apart light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the spaced apart light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 6, wherein said beam dividing means comprises a mask with linearly arranged openings so that each light beam passes through a respective one of the reaction volumes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 6, and further comprising filter means following said collimating means for balancing the spectral response of the said array of photodetectors with said light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 6, and further including at least one mirror in the path of said light beam for folding the light beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
224 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means including a light source and defining a slit through which light from said source is passed having a pattern of said slit and for generating a plurality of light beams from the light passed through said slit; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one linear array of photodetecting elements positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams, said array having a central element which is the optical conjugate of said slit; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
224 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means including a light source and defining a slit through which light from said source is passed having a pattern of said slit and for generating a plurality of light beams from the light passed through said slit; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one linear array of photodetecting elements positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams, said array having a central element which is the optical conjugate of said slit; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said light source comprises a tungsten-halogen lamp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said light source comprises a xenon lamp.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said diffraction means comprises a diffraction grating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said diffraction means comprises a holographic diffraction grating.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said array is oriented so that the diffracted light beam falls across the elements of said array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said photodetecting elements comprise photodiodes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said electronic means includes programmable gain means for adjusting the gain of each detected electrical signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said diffraction means, said focussing means and said array are arranged to produce a spectral resolution of at least 10 nm in a spectral range of at least 390 nm to 690 nm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said focusing means comprises at least one lens following said diffraction means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said electronic means is based on the charge storage mode of operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A monitoring system as defined in claim 10, wherein said pathway is a linear pathway.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: providing a light source; passing light from the light source through a slit; generating a plurality of light beams from the light passing through the slit; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams onto a linear array of photodetecting elements having a central element which is the optical conjugate of the slit; converting the diffracted and focussed beams, by way of the linear array, to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and detecting the electrical signals.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: providing a light source; passing light from the light source through a slit; generating a plurality of light beams from the light passing through the slit; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams onto a linear array of photodetecting elements having a central element which is the optical conjugate of the slit; converting the diffracted and focussed beams, by way of the linear array, to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and detecting the electrical signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 22, and further comprising the step of sequentially passing the light beams.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 22, wherein said converting step includes arranging the array so that the diffracted light beam falls across the elements of the array.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: generating a plurality of light beams; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams; converting the diffracted and focussed beams to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams with the use of an array of photodetecting elements; and detecting the electrical signals, wherein said detecting step includes scanning the array of photodetecting elements to determine the photodetecting element which produces an electrical signal which exceeds a predetermined threshold and thereafter detecting only the electrical signal from that photodetecting element.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
174 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: generating a plurality of light beams; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams; converting the diffracted and focussed beams to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams with the use of an array of photodetecting elements; and detecting the electrical signals, wherein said detecting step includes scanning the array of photodetecting elements to determine the photodetecting element which produces an electrical signal which exceeds a predetermined threshold and thereafter detecting only the electrical signal from that photodetecting element.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: generating a plurality of light beams; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams; converting the diffracted and focussed beams to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams with the use of an array of photodetecting elements; and detecting the electrical signals, wherein said detecting step includes the step of adjusting the gain of the electrical signal detected from each photodetecting element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: generating a plurality of light beams; arranging a plurality of optical monitoring stations along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focussing the diffracted beams; converting the diffracted and focussed beams to electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams with the use of an array of photodetecting elements; and detecting the electrical signals, wherein said detecting step includes the step of adjusting the gain of the electrical signal detected from each photodetecting element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
196 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one linear array of photodetecting elements positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array, said electronic means including programmable gain means for adjusting the gain of each detected electrical signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
196 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one linear array of photodetecting elements positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array, said electronic means including programmable gain means for adjusting the gain of each detected electrical signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
212 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array, wherein said diffraction means, said focussing means and said array are arranged to produce a spectral resolution of at least 10 nm in a spectral range of at least 390 nm to 690 nm.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
212 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array, wherein said diffraction means, said focussing means and said array are arranged to produce a spectral resolution of at least 10 nm in a spectral range of at least 390 nm to 690 nm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
183 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means including at least one lens following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
183 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means including at least one lens following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
186 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means, based upon the charge storage mode of operation, for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
186 words
A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples, comprising: beam means for generating a plurality of light beams; a plurality of optical monitoring stations arranged one after the other along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to said pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored; drive means for moving a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along said pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams; diffraction means arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes; focusing means following said diffraction means for focussing the diffracted beams; at least one array of photodetectors positioned for receiving the beams diffracted by said diffraction means and focussed by said focussing means for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams; and electronic means, based upon the charge storage mode of operation, for detecting the electrical signals of said at least one array.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-03-25 | 1994-09-24 | 1995-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-25 | 1998-09-24 | 1999-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-25 | 2002-09-24 | 2003-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |