Biological assay sample analyzer

摘要

A sample analyzer has an illuminator for illuminating an assay sample to cause luminescence, and a support for a sample vessel containing the assay sample. The support is adapted to position the assay sample proximate the illuminator. A detector is positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the positioned assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect the luminescence from the assay sample. A reflector is removably disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample so as to reflect a portion of the luminescence back through the positioned assay sample toward the detector.

主权项

1. A sample analyzer, comprising:
an illuminator; a support positioned to support a sample vessel containing an assay sample proximate the illuminator; a detector positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect luminescence of the assay sample; a shuttle disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample, the shuttle being moveable perpendicular with the optical axis; and a reflector disposed on the shuttle, wherein the apparatus is configured with an illumination mode and a measurement mode, wherein during the illumination mode the shuttle positions the reflector off the optical axis, and the illuminator is operated to illuminate the assay sample, wherein during the measurement mode the illuminator is operated to discontinue illuminating the sample, further wherein during the measurement mode the shuttle positions the reflector onto the optical axis such that residual light traveling along the optical axis from the discontinued illuminator is shut off from the assay sample and luminescence from the assay sample is reflected off the reflector back through the assay sample towards the detector along the optical axis.