Optical correction tool

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical correction tool, which includes a first body, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, a second body, and an optical reflection element. The first body has a first engagement interface and a second engagement interface. The optical transmitter and the optical receiver are disposed within the first body. The second body has a third engagement interface and a channel that are in communication with each other. The third engagement interface is configured to selectively engage with one of the first engagement interface and the second engagement interface. The optical reflection element is disposed within the channel. When the third engagement interface engages with the first engagement interface, the optical transmitter is optically coupled to the optical reflection element. When the third engagement interface engages with the second engagement interface, the optical receiver is optically coupled to the optical reflection element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical correction tool. Background Art

[0002] A well-known method for calibrating a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument is to use a fluorescence calibration kit sample. However, due to its inherent characteristics, the fluorescence calibration kit has many disadvantages. Generally, the fluorescence calibration kit sample must be stored at a low temperature. Once the fluorescence calibration kit is opened, its shelf life is very short. The shelf life recommended by the supplier is usually six months. Repeated melting between room temperature and freezing temperature will cause the performance of the fluorescence calibration kit to decline.

[0003] Therefore, how to propose an optical correction tool that can solve the above problems is one of the problems that the industry is eager to invest in research and development resources to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to propose an optical correction tool that can effectively solve the aforementioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical correction tool includes a first body, a light emitter, a light receiver, a second body, and a light reflection element. The first body has a first connection port and a second connection port. The light emitter and the light receiver are disposed in the first body. The second body has a third connection port and a channel that are connected. The third connection port is configured to selectively connect to one of the first connection port and the second connection port. The light reflection element is disposed in the channel. When the third connection port connects to the first connection port, the light emitter is optically coupled to the light reflection element. When the third connection port connects to the second connection port, the light receiver is optically coupled to the light reflection element.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second body has a light-transmitting portion adjacent to the channel. When the third connection port connects to the first connection port, the light emitter is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the light reflection element. When the third connection port connects to the second connection port, the light receiver is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the light reflection element.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light-transmitting portion is a hole.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the second body has two light-transmitting portions. The two light-transmitting portions are respectively located on opposite sides of the second body. The light reflection element is located between the two light-transmitting portions.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the optical correction tool further includes an actuating element configured to rotate the light reflection element.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the optical correction tool further includes an actuating element configured to deform the light reflecting element.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the light reflecting element includes a prism and a beam splitting layer. The prism has two connected surfaces. These two surfaces are arranged between two light transmissive portions. The beam splitting layer covers these two surfaces.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the optical correction tool further includes a neutral density filter. The neutral density filter is disposed in the first body and adjacent to the second interface.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the optical correction tool further includes a lens group. The lens group is disposed in the channel and adjacent to the third interface.

[0014] To achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical correction tool is applied to a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument. The qPCR instrument includes a detection slot. The detection slot has a light incident area and a light exit area. The optical correction tool includes a first body, a light emitter, a light receiver, a second body, and a light reflecting element. The first body has a first interface and a second interface. The light emitter and the light receiver are disposed in the first body. The second body has a third interface and a channel that are connected. The third interface is configured to selectively connect to one of the first interface and the second interface. The light reflecting element is disposed in the channel and is configured to selectively optically couple to one of the light incident area and the light exit area as the second body rotates relative to the detection slot.

[0015] In summary, in the optical correction tool of the present invention, by connecting the third interface of the second body to the first interface of the first body, the light emitter in the optical correction tool can be used to correct the light receiver in the qPCR instrument. Conversely, by connecting the third interface of the second body to the second interface of the first body, the light receiver in the optical correction tool can be used to correct the light emitter in the qPCR instrument. In other words, the optical correction tool of the present invention can form different functional modules through different combinations of the first body and the second body. Moreover, the user only needs to insert the second body into the detection slot of the qPCR instrument to optically couple the light reflecting element of the optical correction tool to the light emitter in the optical correction tool, or to optically couple the light receiver in the optical correction tool to the light emitter in the qPCR instrument. Therefore, the optical correction tool of the present invention is easy for the user to operate, and thus the calibration procedure can be performed quickly.

[0016] The above is only used to illustrate the problems to be solved by the present invention, the technical means for solving the problems, and the effects produced thereby. The specific details of the present invention will be described in detail in the following embodiments and related drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] To make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention and its embodiments more obvious and understandable, the description of the accompanying drawings is as follows:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view before the combination of an optical correction tool and a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 2A To show Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view after the combination of the optical correction tool and the qPCR instrument in [[ ]] is shown.

[0020] Figure 2B To show Figure 2A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool and the qPCR instrument in [[ ]] is shown.

[0021] Figure 3A A schematic cross-sectional view after the combination of an optical correction tool and a qPCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 3B To show Figure 3A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool and the qPCR instrument in [[ ]] is shown.

[0023] Figure 4A A schematic cross-sectional view after the combination of an optical correction tool and a qPCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] Figure 4B To show Figure 4A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool and the qPCR instrument in [[ ]] is shown.

[0025] Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view after the combination of an optical correction tool and a qPCR instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 5B To show Figure 5A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool and the qPCR instrument in [[ ]] is shown.

[0027] Figure 6 To show Figure 5A A schematic diagram of the optical reflection element in [[ ]] is shown.

[0028] Description of Reference Numerals:

[0029] 100, 200, 300, 400: Optical correction tool

[0030] 110: First body

[0031] 111: First interface

[0032] 112: Second interface

[0033] 120: Optical transmitter

[0034] 130: Optical receiver

[0035] 140, 240: Second body

[0036] 141: Third interface

[0037] 142: Channel

[0038] 143, 243a, 243b: Light-transmitting part

[0039] 150, 250, 350, 450: Optical reflection element

[0040] 160: Neutral density filter

[0041] 170: Lens group

[0042] 280, 380: Actuating element

[0043] 451: Prism

[0044] 452: Beam-splitting layer

[0045] 900: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction instrument

[0046] 910: Detection slot

[0047] 911: Light-incident area

[0048] 912: Light-emitting area

[0049] 920: Optical transmitter

[0050] 930: Optical receiver Detailed implementation manners

[0051] Multiple implementation manners of the present invention will be disclosed below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity, many practical details will be described together in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the present invention. That is to say, in some implementation manners of the present invention, these practical details are not necessary. In addition, for the sake of simplifying the drawings, some well-known and commonly used structures and elements will be shown in a simple schematic manner in the drawings.

[0052] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2B . Figure 1 To show a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool 100 and the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument 900 before combination according to an implementation manner of the present invention.Figure 2A To show Figure 1 a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool 100 in Figure 2B To show Figure 2A another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool 100 and the qPCR instrument 900 in Figures 1 to 2B As shown, in this embodiment, the optical correction tool 100 is applied to the qPCR instrument 900. The qPCR instrument 900 includes a detection slot 910, a light emitter 920, and a light receiver 930. The detection slot 910 has a light incident area 911 and a light exit area 912. When operating the qPCR instrument 900, the operator can place a sample (for example, contained in a transparent container) in the detection slot 910, and make the light emitter 920 emit light to irradiate the sample through the light incident area 911 of the detection slot 910, and then use the light receiver 930 to receive the light passing through the sample through the light exit area 912 of the detection slot 910. Thereby, the operator can obtain the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or parameters of the sample according to the light receiving signal of the light receiver 930. The optical correction tool 100 is used to detect whether the light emitter 920 and the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 are abnormal.

[0053] The optical correction tool 100 includes a first body 110, a light emitter 120, a light receiver 130, a second body 140, and a light reflection element 150. The first body 110 has a first connection interface 111 and a second connection interface 112. The light emitter 120 and the light receiver 130 are disposed within the first body 110. The second body 140 has a third connection interface 141 and a channel 142 that are connected. The third connection interface 141 is configured to connect to the first connection interface 111 (as Figure 2A shown) and connect to the second connection interface 112 (as Figure 2B shown). The light reflection element 150 is disposed within the channel 142 and is configured to selectively optically couple to one of the light incident area 911 and the light exit area 912 of the detection slot 910 as the second body 140 rotates relative to the detection slot 910.

[0054] In some embodiments, when the third connection interface 141 connects to the first connection interface 111, the first connection interface 111 is sleeved on the outer edge of the third connection interface 141, as Figure 2A shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, when the third connection interface 141 connects to the second connection interface 112, the second connection interface 112 is sleeved on the outer edge of the third connection interface 141, as Figure 2B shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0055] Specifically, as Figure 2AAs shown, when the third interface 141 engages with the first interface 111, the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light reflecting element 150. In other words, the light emitted by the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 can be reflected by the light reflecting element 150 to the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900. Thereby, the user can determine whether the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 is abnormal and needs to be corrected according to the received light signal. As Figure 2B As shown, when the third interface 141 engages with the second interface 112, the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light reflecting element 150. In other words, the light emitted by the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 can be reflected by the light reflecting element 150 to the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100. Thereby, the user can determine whether the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 is abnormal and needs to be corrected according to the received light signal.

[0056] In some embodiments, the light reflecting element 150 is a reflective coating located within the channel 142 and at the bottom of the second body 140, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the light reflecting element 150 is a metal layer, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0057] In some embodiments, the second body 140 has a light transmissive portion 143 adjacent to the channel 142. As Figure 2A As shown, when the third interface 141 engages with the first interface 111 and the light transmissive portion 143 is aligned with the light emitting area 912, the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflecting element 150 and the light transmissive portion 143 in sequence. As Figure 2B As shown, when the third interface 141 engages with the second interface 112 and the light transmissive portion 143 is aligned with the light incident area 911, the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflecting element 150 and the light transmissive portion 143 in sequence.

[0058] In some embodiments, the light transmissive portion 143 is a hole, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light transmissive portion 143 includes a transparent material, such as glass, optically grade polymer, ceramic, or the like.

[0059] In some embodiments, as Figure 2B As shown, the optical correction tool 100 further includes a neutral density filter 160. The neutral density filter 160 is disposed within the first body 110 and adjacent to the second interface 112. By providing the neutral density filter 160, the intensity of the light received by the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100 from the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 can be appropriately reduced.

[0060] In some embodiments, the material of the second body 140 includes black anodized aluminum to reduce light scattering in the channel 142, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown, the optical correction tool 100 further includes a lens group 170. The lens group 170 is disposed in the channel 142 and adjacent to the third interface 141. When the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 (as Figure 2A shown), the lens group 170 can converge and focus the light emitted by the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 onto the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900. When the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100 is optically coupled to the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 (as Figure 2B shown), the lens group 170 can converge and focus the light emitted by the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 onto the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 100.

[0062] In some other embodiments, the material of the lens group 170 includes glass, optical grade polymers, ceramics, or the like.

[0063] In some embodiments, the number of detection slots 910, light emitters 920, and light receivers 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 are all multiple and consistent. In some embodiments, the number of light emitters 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is consistent with the number of light receivers 930 of the qPCR instrument 900. In some embodiments, the number of light emitters 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is less than the number of light receivers 930 of the qPCR instrument 900. In some embodiments, the number of light receivers 130 of the optical correction tool 100 is consistent with the number of light emitters 920 of the qPCR instrument 900.

[0064] In some embodiments, the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 100 is a light emitting diode or a laser, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B . Figure 3A FIG. is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the combination of the optical correction tool 200 and the qPCR instrument 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B For showing Figure 3A Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the optical correction tool 200 and the qPCR instrument 900 in Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, one difference between this embodiment and Figure 2A the embodiment shown is that the second body 240 of the optical correction tool 200 in this embodiment has two light-transmitting portions 243a and 243b. The two light-transmitting portions 243a and 243b are respectively located on opposite sides of the second body 240. The light reflection element 250 is located between the two light-transmitting portions 243a and 243b.

[0066] Another difference between this embodiment and Figure 2A the embodiment shown is that the optical correction tool 200 in this embodiment further includes an actuating element 280. The actuating element 280 is configured to rotate the light reflection element 250. As Figure 3A shown, when the third interface 141 is engaged with the first interface 111, the actuating element 280 can be used to rotate the light reflection element 250, so that the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 200 is optically coupled to the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflection element 250 and the light-transmitting portion 243a in sequence. As Figure 3B shown, when the third interface 141 is engaged with the second interface 112, the actuating element 280 can be used to rotate the light reflection element 250, so that the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 200 is optically coupled to the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflection element 250 and the light-transmitting portion 243b in sequence. Thereby, the user only needs to use the actuating element 280 to rotate the light reflection element 250, and can test the light emitter 920 and the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 without plugging or turning the second body 240 relative to the detection slot 910, so that the calibration procedure can be quickly performed.

[0067] In some embodiments, the light reflection element 250 is a reflecting mirror, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0068] Please refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B . Figure 4A FIG. is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the combination of the optical correction tool 300 and the qPCR instrument 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B To show Figure 4A Another schematic cross-sectional view of the optical correction tool 300 and the qPCR instrument 900 in Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, one difference between this embodiment and Figure 3A the embodiment shown is that the optical correction tool 300 in this embodiment uses different light reflection elements 350 and actuating elements 380.

[0069] Specifically, the actuating element 380 is configured to deform the light reflection element 350. As Figure 4AAs shown, when the third interface 141 is engaged with the first interface 111, the actuating element 380 can apply a force to the light reflecting element 350 to bend and deform it (for example, applying a force to the central portion of the light reflecting element 350 to the right), so that the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 300 is sequentially optically coupled to the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflecting element 350 and the light transmissive portion 243a. As Figure 4B shown, when the third interface 141 is engaged with the second interface 112, the actuating element 380 can apply a force to the light reflecting element 350 to bend and deform it (for example, applying a force to the central portion of the light reflecting element 350 to the left), so that the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 300 is sequentially optically coupled to the light emitter 920 of the qPCR instrument 900 via the light reflecting element 350 and the light transmissive portion 243b. Thus, the user only needs to use the actuating element 380 to deform the light reflecting element 350, and can test the light emitter 920 and the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 without inserting, removing or turning the second body 240 relative to the detection slot 910, thereby enabling a quick calibration procedure.

[0070] In some embodiments, the light reflecting element 350 is a flexible reflective sheet, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 5A to 6 . Figure 5A FIG. is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the combination of the optical correction tool 400 and the qPCR instrument 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5B To show Figure 5A Another cross-sectional schematic view of the optical correction tool 400 and the qPCR instrument 900 in Figure 6 To show Figure 5A A schematic view of the light reflecting element 450 in Figures 5A to 6 As shown, one difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in Figure 3A is that the optical correction tool 400 of this embodiment replaces the light reflecting element 250 and the actuating element 280 shown in Figure 3A with different light reflecting elements 450.

[0072] Specifically, as Figure 6 shown, the light reflecting element 450 includes a prism 451 and a beam splitting layer 452. The bottom of the prism 451 has two connected surfaces. These two surfaces are arranged between the two light transmissive portions 243a, 243b. The beam splitting layer 452 covers these two surfaces. In some embodiments, the beam splitting layer 452 is a semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film layer. As Figure 5AAs shown, when the third interface 141 is connected to the first interface 111, the light emitted by the light emitter 120 of the optical correction tool 400 can first enter the prism 451, and is partially reflected by the left half of the beam splitting layer 452 first, and then partially transmitted through the right half of the beam splitting layer 452 to reach the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900. As Figure 5B shown, when the third interface 141 is connected to the second interface 112, the light emitted by the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 can first be partially transmitted through the left half of the beam splitting layer 452, and partially reflected by the right half of the beam splitting layer 452, and then reach the light receiver 130 of the optical correction tool 400 through the prism 451. Thereby, the user can test the light emitter 920 and the light receiver 930 of the qPCR instrument 900 without inserting, unplugging or turning the second body 240 relative to the detection slot 910, so that the calibration procedure can be performed quickly.

[0073] From the above detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present invention, it can be clearly seen that in the optical correction tool of the present invention, by connecting the third interface of the second body to the first interface of the first body, the light emitter in the optical correction tool can be used to correct the light receiver in the qPCR instrument. Conversely, by connecting the third interface of the second body to the second interface of the first body, the light receiver in the optical correction tool can be used to correct the light emitter in the qPCR instrument. In other words, the optical correction tool of the present invention can form different functional modules through different combinations of the first body and the second body. Moreover, the user only needs to insert the second body into the detection slot of the qPCR instrument to optically couple the light reflection element of the optical correction tool to the light emitter in the optical correction tool, or to optically couple the light receiver in the optical correction tool to the light emitter in the qPCR instrument. Therefore, the optical correction tool of the present invention is easy for the user to operate, so that the calibration procedure can be performed quickly.

[0074] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in the embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to that defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical correction tool, characterized in that, Comprising: A first body having a first interface and a second interface; And An optical transmitter disposed within the first body; An optical receiver disposed within the first body; A second body having a third interface and a channel in communication therewith, wherein the third interface is configured to selectively engage one of the first interface and the second interface; And An optical reflection element disposed within the channel, wherein when the third interface engages the first interface, the optical transmitter is optically coupled to the optical reflection element, and when the third interface engages the second interface, the optical receiver is optically coupled to the optical reflection element; An actuating element configured to rotate or deform the optical reflection element; The second body has a light-transmitting portion adjacent to the channel. When the third interface engages the first interface, the optical transmitter is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the optical reflection element, and when the third interface engages the second interface, the optical receiver is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the optical reflection element.

2. The optical correction tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The light-transmitting portion is a hole.

3. The optical correction tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the light-transmitting portions is two, respectively located on opposite sides of the second body, and the optical reflection element is located between the two light-transmitting portions.

4. The optical correction tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The optical reflection element includes: A prism having two connected surfaces, the two surfaces being arranged between the two light-transmitting portions; and A beam-splitting layer covering the two surfaces.

5. The optical correction tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a neutral density filter disposed within the first body and adjacent to the second interface.

6. The optical correction tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a lens group disposed within the channel and adjacent to the third interface.

7. An optical correction tool, characterized in that, Applied to a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction instrument, the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction instrument includes a detection slot having a light-incident area and a light-emitting area. The optical correction tool includes: A first body having a first interface and a second interface; and An optical transmitter disposed within the first body; An optical receiver disposed within the first body; A second body having a third interface and a channel in communication therewith, wherein the third interface is configured to selectively engage one of the first interface and the second interface; and An optical reflection element disposed within the channel and configured to be selectively optically coupled to one of the light-incident area and the light-emitting area as the second body rotates relative to the detection slot; An actuating element configured to rotate or deform the optical reflection element; The second body has a light-transmitting portion adjacent to the channel. When the third interface engages the first interface, the optical transmitter is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the optical reflection element, and when the third interface engages the second interface, the optical receiver is optically coupled to the light-transmitting portion via the optical reflection element.

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