System for performing scattering and absorbance assays

摘要

An optical system for performing scattering and absorbance assays in clinical diagnostics comprises a light source for emitting collimated light parallel to an optical axis in an optical path, a sample holding unit comprising at least one sample holding position located in the optical path and an optical detector for measuring light transmitted through a sample located in a sample holding position. The optical system further comprises an adjustable light angle selector adjusted to prevent light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle greater than a certain value from reaching the detector when a scattering assay is performed, and wherein the light angle selector is adjusted to allow light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle smaller than a certain value to reach the detector when an absorbance assay is performed.

主权项

1. An optical system for performing scattering and absorbance assays in clinical diagnostics, the optical system comprising:
a light source for emitting collimated light parallel to an optical axis in an optical path, a sample holding unit comprising at least one sample holding position, an optical detector for measuring light transmitted through a sample being located in the optical path in the sample holding position, and an adjustable light angle selector comprising at least one of the following:
at least one lens with a focal length (f) and a diaphragm with variable aperture located at the focal length (f) or an LCD with switchable pixels located at the focal length (f),a group of lenses and a driver for varying the relative distance between lenses as a zoom objective with variable focal length (f), anda driver for varying the relative distance between the sample holding position and the detector along the optical axis, whereinfor a scattering assay, said adjustable light angle selector through aperture radius, focal length, distance of the detector with respect to the sample holding position or number of open pixels allows only light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle (α) less than about 5 degrees to reach the optical detector, andfor an absorbance assay, said adjustable light angle selector through aperture radius, focal length, distance of the detector with respect to the sample holding position or number of open pixels allows light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle (α) less than about 60 degrees to reach the same optical detector as for the scattering assay.