PORTABLE FLUORESCENCE DETECTION SYSTEM AND MICROASSAY CARTRIDGE

摘要

Disclosed is a compact, microprocessor-controlled instrument for fluorometric assays in liquid samples, the instrument having a floating stage with docking bay for receiving a microfluidic cartridge and a scanning detector head with on-board embedded microprocessor operated under control of a ODAP daemon resident in the detector head for controlling source LEDs, emission signal amplification and filtering in an isolated, low noise, high-gain environment within the detector head. Multiple optical channels may be incorporated in the scanning head. In a preferred configuration, the assay is validated using dual channel optics for monitoring a first fluorophore associated with a target analyte and a second fluorophore associated with a control. Applications include molecular biological assays based on PCR amplification of target nucleic acids and fluorometric assays in general, many of which require temperature control during detection.

主权项

1. A microassay system for detecting an optical signal in a sample, said system comprising a mechanical system enabled for scanning a detector head across the sample, said detector head comprising at least one detection channel, said detection channel comprising an objective lens and optoelectronic circuit elements configured to capture and amplify optical signals received by said objective lens, wherein said mechanical system is operated by a controller and circuitry external to said detector head and said optoelectronic elements are under control of an autonomous daemon resident in firmware associated with a microprocessor embedded within said detector head.