Device for monitoring a plurality of discrete fluorescence signals

摘要

The present invention relates to a device and detector for monitoring a plurality of discrete fluorescence signals, in particular for DNA sequencing by use of fluorescently labeled nucleotides. The particular detector (118) is proposed comprising a plurality of pixels (130) for individually detecting said fluorescence signals from the plurality of fluorescent signal sources (104), wherein each pixel (130) comprises a predetermined number of at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) for detecting a received fluorescent signal and for generating detection signals. Further, a signal conversion circuit (140) is provide for receiving said detection signals from said at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) and for generating a pixel output signal indicating which of said at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) generated the strongest detection signal.

主权项

1. A device for monitoring a plurality of discrete fluorescent signals, the device comprising:
a substrate having a plurality of discrete fluorescent signal sources disposed thereon; an excitation illumination source; a detector for detecting fluorescent signals from the plurality of fluorescent signal sources; and an optical train positioned to simultaneously direct excitation illumination from the excitation illumination source to said plurality of discrete fluorescent signal sources on the substrate, and to direct fluorescent signals from the plurality of fluorescent signal sources to the detector, wherein said detector comprises:
a plurality of pixels for individually detecting said fluorescent signals from the plurality of fluorescent signal sources, each pixel comprising at least two detection elements, separated and spaced apart from each other, each detection element being arranged for detecting a received fluorescent signal and in response thereto for generating a detection signal, wherein the at least two detection elements of each pixel are configured to detect different principal wavelengths than each other, anda signal conversion circuit for receiving said detection signals from said at least two detection elements and for generating a pixel output signal for each pixel indicating which of said at least two detection elements which are configured to detect different principal wavelengths than each other generated the strongest detection signal.