A microplate measuring device having a fiber optic switching device

Abstract

This invention provides a microplate measurement device with an optical fiber switching mechanism, comprising a light source module (including the optical fiber switching mechanism), a filter module, a monochromator module, and a sample measurement module. The light source module, filter module, and monochromator module are connected by optical fibers, which include an output fiber inside the light source module, a transmission fiber connecting the light source module and the optical fiber, and an incident fiber connecting the filter module and the monochromator module. This invention enables multi-mode spectral analysis of absorbance and fluorescence intensity by freely switching the optical fiber channel modes through the optical fiber switching mechanism, thereby improving testing efficiency and reducing testing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sample analysis, and in particular, to a microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device. Background Technology

[0002] Microplate assay devices (including ELISA readers) are commonly used biological detection equipment capable of performing various detections such as absorbance (Abs), fluorescence intensity (FI), luminescence, time-resolved fluorescence, and fluorescence polarization. A typical microplate assay device includes a light source, a monochromator or filter, a microplate, a photodetector, a microprocessor, and a display system. The working process is generally as follows: the light emitted by the light source is converted into a monochromatic beam by the monochromator or filter and enters the sample to be tested in the plastic microplate. Upon reaching the sample, the sample is excited and emits fluorescence. The photodetector converts the light signals of varying intensities into corresponding electrical signals. After signal processing including analog-to-digital conversion, logarithmic amplification, and preamplification, the electrical signals are sent to the microprocessor for data processing and calculation. Finally, the detector displays the results.

[0003] Existing microplate readers mostly employ a dual-light source system. For example, Chinese invention patent application CN118647859A discloses a microplate reader with a first optical subsystem 210, which includes a first light source 212 and an optical fiber assembly. Light transmitted through the optical fiber is reflected downwards by a mirror 246, passes through a quartz plate, and is focused onto a second mirror 252 on the sample, thus reaching the sample held in the microplate 160 for absorption analysis. The microplate reader also includes a second optical subsystem 230, which includes a second light source 232 and an optical assembly 132. Light from the second xenon lamp 232 is collimated, attenuated, filtered, and guided to the optical assembly 132. In certain settings, the optical assembly 132 reflects a portion of the received light through a quartz plate 242 to a first lens 250, which focuses the light onto the sample below for fluorescence analysis. This microplate reader uses at least two xenon lamps as light sources, resulting in a large instrument size and high cost.

[0004] Chinese invention patent application CN109477795A discloses a sample analysis device 100, including a sample carrier 104 configured to support one or more samples to be analyzed; a light source 108 for generating excitation light; a photodetector 112 for receiving and measuring emitted light propagating from the sample; an excitation optics 116 configured to guide the excitation light from the light source 108 to the sample along the excitation optical path and to process or modify the excitation light in one or more ways; and an emission optics 120 configured to guide the emitted light from the sample to the photodetector 112 along the emission optical path and to process or modify the excitation light in one or more ways. The excitation optics 116 includes an excitation monochromator 132 and an excitation filter 136, both of which function as wavelength selectors. Although this sample analysis device does not employ two xenon lamp sources, the light source module and excitation module overlap, resulting in a complex optical path.

[0005] However, there is an urgent need in the existing technology for a technical solution for a microplate measurement device with an optical fiber switching device that can improve detection performance while using a single light source. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching mechanism. It employs a single xenon lamp as the light source and transmits the light to different detection modules (filter modules or monochromator modules) via optical fiber, avoiding redundant light source configurations. By optimizing the optical path and light source configuration, the device's space requirements and manufacturing costs are significantly reduced, while maintaining or improving detection performance.

[0007] Specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention, a microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device is provided, comprising a light source module, a filter module, a monochromator module, and a sample measuring module. The light source module, the filter module, and the monochromator module are connected by optical fibers. The optical fibers include an outgoing optical fiber inside the light source module, a transmission optical fiber connecting the light source module and the filter module, and an incoming optical fiber connecting the filter module and the monochromator module. The light source module includes a single xenon lamp light source and an optical fiber switching device detachably connected to the xenon lamp light source lens.

[0008] The light source module includes a xenon flash lamp and a first beam shaping section; the filter module includes a second beam shaper, a filter group, and a first photomultiplier tube; and the monochromator module includes a grating and a second photomultiplier tube.

[0009] The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching mechanism described above is characterized in that the optical fibers include a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh optical fibers. The fiber optic switching mechanism switches to either the third or fourth optical fiber. The third optical fiber is connected to the filter module, the fifth and fourth optical fibers are connected to the monochromator module, and the eleventh optical fiber is controlled by a motor. During fiber switching, a signal is first sent to the motor. Upon receiving the control signal, when the motor moves to the third optical fiber, the light beam enters the filter module to measure the sample fluorescence intensity signal. When the motor moves to the fourth optical fiber, the light beam enters the monochromator module to measure the absorbance.

[0010] Xenon lamps are used as the light source for ELISA readers primarily because their spectral coverage of 200nm-1000nm is crucial for accurate measurements at different wavelengths. Furthermore, their high brightness and long lifespan make them suitable for detection in biochemistry and molecular biology. The lamps can be precisely adjusted to the desired wavelength using filters or monochromators, meeting the needs of colorimetric assays or complex multicolor fluorescent labeling analyses.

[0011] Samples are usually placed in microplates. For different types of microplates, appropriate homogeneous solutions (homogeneous solutions are mixtures that are uniformly distributed throughout the system and have the same composition and properties) are added or adherent cells are cultured and moved to the corresponding positions via a loading stage.

[0012] The microplate measurement device with fiber optic switching mechanism described above is characterized in that, in the filter module, the incident fiber (i.e., the third fiber) provides a broad-spectrum beam with an NA value of 0.22, which reaches the filter group. The filter group consists of a high-quality excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an emission filter. Different filter groups are used for different reagents, and a motor is used for switching. When different test samples are selected on the control page, the motor switches to the corresponding filter group, and at least five filter groups can be switched. The beam passing through the filter group is shaped by a lens and focused onto the sixth or seventh fiber for top and bottom reading measurements of fluorescence intensity, respectively.

[0013] The microplate measurement device with fiber optic switching as described above is characterized in that, in the monochromator module, the incident fiber (i.e., the fourth fiber), after beam shaping, passes through a small-aperture slit and is incident on the concave grating 10, where dispersion occurs. The concave grating not only disperses light of different wavelengths but also has a focusing function, eliminating the need for lenses to focus light after using a planar grating, thus reducing the number of optical components and saving space. Furthermore, the concave grating design allows for higher resolution, which is particularly important for applications measuring specific wavelengths. After dispersion by the concave grating 10, light in the 200-1000nm range is formed. The concave grating reflects the beam to the exit slit for bandwidth and wavelength selection. The bandwidth selection is adjusted by a motor controlling the slit, and the wavelength is adjusted by a motor controlling the rotation of the grating. Precise motor control ensures wavelength accuracy within a 2nm error range. The selected wavelength light is then refocused into the eleventh fiber by a lens system and transmitted to the sample measurement module 104 for absorbance detection.

[0014] The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device described above is characterized in that the fluorescence intensity reading is measured as follows: First, the excitation light signal from the filter module 102 is received, and then focused by a lens through the sixth fiber to focus the light beam onto the sample. The sample emits a fluorescence signal, which is collected by the focusing lens and transmitted to the sixth fiber. The light beam is then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube 9 through the emission filter in the filter group 8 for data acquisition and analysis.

[0015] The microplate measurement device with fiber optic switching device described above is characterized in that the measurement of fluorescence intensity is as follows: the excitation light signal from the filter module 102 is shaped by the seventh fiber and lens and focused onto the bottom of the microplate. The fluorescence signal emitted by the sample after fluorescence excitation is transmitted to the filter group 8 through the seventh fiber 7, and then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube 9 through the emission filter for data acquisition and analysis.

[0016] The microplate measurement device with fiber optic switching device described above is characterized by bioluminescence measurement: a luminescent sample (such as sea cucumber luciferin or firefly luciferin) is added to the microplate, the sample generates self-luminescence, and the light is collected by a lens and counted by a photon-counting photodiode (not shown in the figure).

[0017] The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device described above is characterized in that, for absorbance measurement: the narrowband light filtered by the monochromator module 103 is transmitted to the sample detection module 104 through the eleventh fiber 11, the light exiting from the eleventh fiber 11 passes through a lens to be shaped into parallel light, and after passing through the sample, it is received and processed by a photodiode.

[0018] The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device described above is characterized in that the filter group consists of a high-quality excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an emission filter. Different filter groups are used for different reagents. Here, a motor is used for switching. When different test samples are selected on the control page, the motor switches to the corresponding filter group. At least 5 filter groups can be switched.

[0019] Optionally, the fiber optic switching device includes multiple focusing lenses, a housing, a switching motor, an output fiber, a fixture at the focusing point of the multiple focusing lenses, a connector, and a support frame located in front of the lens and with an interference fit or threaded fit to the inner surface of the housing. The xenon lamp source generates multiple output beams that propagate from inside the lens and enter the focusing lens in the xenon lamp source lens. The beams then enter the output fiber for transmission through one end of the output fiber inserted in the fixture. The other end of the output fiber is fixed by inserting it into a connector (with the same structure as the fixture) installed on the support frame. The housing is equipped with a switching motor that corresponds one-to-one with the other end of the output fiber. The control terminal sends a command to switch the motor according to the output fiber to be used, so that the output light in the corresponding output fiber exits from the other end and enters one end of the transmission fiber provided on the housing.

[0020] Optionally, the housing includes a front cover and an inner screw rear cover. The inner screw rear cover has a middle plate at the front end of the internal thread. The internal thread of the inner screw rear cover mates with the external thread of the lens, causing the rear end face of the inner screw rear cover to contact and be fixed to a baffle on the outer surface of the lens. After being fixed, the middle plate of the inner screw rear cover abuts against the front end of the lens. The front end section of the inner screw rear cover has multiple pins that can be detachably inserted into slots on the rear end section of the front cover to form a single housing. A heat dissipation ring is formed on the middle plate of the inner screw rear cover. The vertical plane of the heat dissipation ring is parallel to the baffle, and the connector to which the other end of the outgoing optical fiber is inserted is on the heat dissipation ring. The projection of the entire object falls within the area surrounded by the heat dissipation ring. Multiple connecting ribs are provided between the inner and outer edges of the heat dissipation ring to connect the center plate of the middle plate of the fixing device with the remaining plate surface due to the opening of the heat dissipation ring. Multiple semi-longitudinal guide tubes are also provided on the rear end section of the front cover and the front end section of the inner screw rear cover. When the two are combined into one cover, every two semi-longitudinal guide tubes are combined into one guide tube to guide the pulling movement of the manual closing valve. At least a part of each manual closing valve is placed in any semi-longitudinal guide tube. After the two are combined into one cover, the at least part is accommodated in the combined guide tube.

[0021] Preferably, the middle plate has an opening at its center, and the front end face of the front cover is provided with a transparent window. This is used to guide the remaining light from the light source for other uses in non-fiber optic paths, and also to provide some heat dissipation. If the window is replaced with metal, although heat dissipation is better, it cannot guide the remaining light for other uses in non-fiber optic paths, and heat will accumulate due to reflection inside the cover.

[0022] Optionally, the transparent window is any one of transparent plastic, silicate glass, or quartz glass.

[0023] Optionally, the support frame includes a front part and a rear part, both with a central hole. The central hole corresponds to the opening in the center of the middle plate, allowing the emitted light that has not passed through the focusing lens to pass through. The front part and the rear part are respectively interference-fitted or threaded with the inner surface of the front shell and the inner surface of the inner screw cover. After the fit is completed, a gap is left between the front part and the rear part to provide clearance for the switching motor to pass through and pull out. The connector to which the other end of the emitted optical fiber is inserted is provided on the rear part. The front part is provided with a socket corresponding to the connector to which the other end of the emitted optical fiber is inserted, for inserting one end of the transmission optical fiber. Holes are provided on the front cover and the window to allow this end to pass through and be inserted into the socket.

[0024] Preferably, the connecting rib is replaced by a connecting plate to accelerate heat transfer from the front cover to the middle plate.

[0025] Preferably, the manual gate includes a handle and a gate plate connected to each other. The handle has a fixing pin hole for the pin to pass through and be mounted on the guide tube after pulling, thereby positioning the gate plate. The gate plate is provided with a limiting post and an optical fiber insert in order of distance from the fixing pin hole, which are used to limit the pulling position, thereby facilitating the complete exposure of the fixing pin hole, the continuous incident of light emitted from the other end of the output optical fiber, and the continuous incident of light from one end of the transmission optical fiber.

[0026] Optionally, the filter module includes a beam expander, a filter group, and a focusing lens arranged sequentially along the light propagation direction. The beam expander is connected to the other end of the transmission optical fiber and is used to expand the light emitted from the other end of the transmission optical fiber, allowing it to pass through the filter wheel or directly without filtering, and then be focused by the focusing lens.

[0027] Preferably, the beam expander includes a base and a mirror disk mounted on the base. The mirror disk has beam expanders corresponding to the other end of each transmission fiber. A connector for connecting the other end of the transmission fiber is also provided on the mirror disk in front of the beam expander. A through-hole is also provided on the mirror disk in front of the beam expander. Similarly, a through-hole is provided on the filter wheel, with a corresponding through-hole on the mirror disk in front of it. A rotatable filter is provided in front of the through-hole on the filter wheel. The rotation switches between covering and exposing the through-hole. The filter wheel can rotate, allowing each filter to be switched to the front end of each focusing lens array in front of a different beam expander. An incident fiber is positioned at the focal point to refocus the expanded light into one end of the incident fiber. The light emitted from the other end of the incident fiber enters each corresponding sub-monochromatic in the monochromator module. Each light emitted from a sub-monochromatic enters the sample measurement module, is reflected by each corresponding mirror in the mirror group of the sample measurement module, and is incident on the same mirror. It is then reflected into a semi-reflective lens and reflected again into the objective lens. The light then exits from the objective lens and illuminates the sample placed on the stage. The excitation light generated by the sample returns and passes sequentially through the objective lens and the semi-reflective lens into the detector of the sample measurement module.

[0028] Preferably, fiber optic sleeves are provided at one end of the transmission fiber and on the outside of the incident fiber. This makes the sleeved end rigid, which is convenient for fixing it in the corresponding position (the former is a punched hole and a socket, and the latter is a punched hole in the partition between the focusing mirror array and the monochromator module).

[0029] Optionally, the multiple beams of emitted light generated by the xenon lamp light source are produced by reflection from a group of reflectors on one side of the arc tube.

[0030] Preferably, the filter module and the monochromator module are housed together in a darkroom, with the monochromator module housed within a dark box. This reduces the influence of ambient light and dust.

[0031] The present invention has the following advantages: (1) The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device provided by the present invention uses a single xenon lamp as the light source and transmits the light to different detection modules (filter module or monochromator module) through optical fiber. This design avoids the repeated configuration of the light source, thereby significantly saving space and cost; (2) The light emitted by the xenon lamp is coupled into a switchable optical fiber device, then filtered and monochromated by a monochromator, and finally enters the sample measurement module to obtain the monochromatic light required to irradiate the sample. Depending on the type of measurement to be performed, such as absorbance (using full pass-through without filtering, removing the monochromator module), or fluorescence intensity (using monochromatization of filtered light), the optical fiber can be moved to the corresponding position to ensure optimal optical path alignment and signal transmission. The precise motor design allows the same light source to be flexibly switched between different detection modes, accurately aligned with each detection module, maintaining the energy of the beam and the quality of signal transmission, improving the multifunctionality and operating efficiency of the device; Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a xenon lamp fiber optic switching device for a micro-orifice plate measuring device with a fiber optic switching device, illustrating the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an optical path logic diagram illustrating a microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a filter switching device of a microporous plate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, including a filter switching device with an optical fiber switching device, a micro-perforated plate measuring device with a fan for cooling at the xenon lamp, and the installation state with the xenon lamp light source. Figure 5 This is an overall structural diagram of a microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device according to the second embodiment of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the fiber optic switching device of the micro-perforated plate measuring device according to the second embodiment of this utility model, and its installation status with the xenon lamp light source. Figure 7 for Figure 6 Views from various perspectives during the installation process, where 'a' is... Figure 7 The view of the front cover in the direction of arrow B, where b is... Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the front and rear structures of the middle support frame, where c represents... Figure 7 View of the inner screw cover in the direction of arrow A, where d is... Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the manual shut-off gate.

[0033] Figure Descriptions: 1-Xenon lamp light source; 10-Grating; 101-Light source module; 102-Filter module; 1025-Second beam shaper; 103-Monochromator module; 104-Sample measurement module; 105-Dark chamber; 2-First beam shaper; 3-Fiber optic switching device; 301-First fiber optic port; 302-Second fiber optic port; 105-Filter module; 8-Filter group; 9-First photomultiplier tube; 12-Second photomultiplier tube; 13-Fan; 14-First fiber optic; 15-Second fiber optic; 16-Fiber optic switching motor; 17-Switching motor mounting component; 22-Heat sink; 31-Transmission fiber optic; 1011 - Arc tube; 1012 - First reflecting mirror group; 1013 - Multiple emitted beams; 1021 - Beam expander; 1022 - Filter wheel; 1031-Focusing lens array; 10311-Housing shell; 10312-Through hole; 1032-Separator; 1033-Incident fiber; 1034-Fiber optic sleeve; 1035-Outgoing fiber; 1036-Switching motor; 1037-Remaining plate surface; 1038-Socket; 1039-Front cover; 10310-Viewing window; 10311-Support frame; 10312-Connector; 103121-Water inlet connector; 103122-Water outlet Connector; 103123 - Half-section guide tube; 10313 - Housing; 10314 - Fixer; 10315 - Baffle; 10316 - Heat dissipation ring; 10317 - Inner thread rear cover; 10318 - Middle plate; 10319 - Insert post; 10320 - Connecting rib; 10321 - Slot; 10322 - Handle; 10323 - Fixing pin hole; 10324 - Limiting post; 10325 - Gate; 10326 - Fiber optic segment; 1041 - Second reflecting mirror group; 1042 - Reflecting mirror; 1043 - Detector; 1044 - Objective lens; 1045 - Semi-reflective lens; 1046 - Stage. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive.

[0035] The term "sample" as used herein generally refers to material known to contain or suspected of containing an analyte. When implementing the subjects disclosed herein, samples may be used directly from the source or after pretreatment to alter the characteristics of the sample. Applications are primarily in biology, medicine, biochemistry, and environmental science. Sample applications include receptor / ligand studies (e.g., hormone / receptor detection), protein / peptide interactions, DNA / protein interactions, tyrosine kinase detection, competitive immunoassay, single nucleotide polymorphism screening, real-time quantitative PCR-FP, in vitro cell loss detection, etc. Nucleic acid and protein quantification, ELISA, enzymatic detection, bacterial growth OD600 assay, endotoxin detection, and cell viability analysis such as MMT / CCK8 are also possible. Pretreatment methods may include filtration, precipitation, dilution, distillation, concentration, inactivation of interfering components, chromatography, separation steps, and reagent addition. In addition to physiological fluids, other liquid samples such as water and food may be used for environmental or food processing testing. Additionally, solid materials known to contain or suspected of containing an analyte may be used as samples. In some cases, it may be advantageous to modify solid samples to form liquid media or to release the analyte from the solid sample.

[0036] In this invention, "front" and "back" refer to the direction of light transmission for each optical device and each mechanical component. The direction that is consistent with the transmission direction is "front," and the opposite direction is "back."

[0037] Example 1

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a xenon lamp fiber optic switching device for a micro-orifice plate measuring device with fiber optic switching device 3, as shown in Embodiment 1 of this utility model. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Optical path logic diagram; Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the filter switching device; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the filter switching device with a fan for cooling at the xenon lamp of the microporous plate measuring device, and its installation status with the xenon lamp light source.

[0039] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device 3 of this utility model includes a light source module 101, a filter module 102, a monochromator module 103, and a sample measuring module 104. The light source module 101, the filter module 102, and the monochromator module 103 are connected by optical fibers. The optical fibers include an outgoing optical fiber inside the light source module 101, a transmission optical fiber connecting the light source module 101 and the filter module 102, and an incident optical fiber connecting the filter module 102 and the monochromator module 103. The light source module 101 includes a single xenon lamp light source 1 and a fiber optic switching device 3 that is detachably connected to the xenon lamp light source lens.

[0040] The light source module 101 includes a xenon flash lamp 1 and a first beam shaping section; the filter module 102 includes a second beam shaper 1025, a filter group 8, and a first photomultiplier tube 9; and the monochromator module 103 includes a grating 10 and a second photomultiplier tube 12.

[0041] The optical fibers include a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh optical fiber. The optical fiber switching device 3 switches to either the third or fourth optical fiber. The third optical fiber is connected to the filter module 102, the fifth optical fiber to the monochromator module 103, and the eleventh optical fiber. The optical fiber switching device 3 is controlled by a motor (not shown). During fiber switching, a signal is first sent to the motor. Upon receiving the control signal, when the motor moves to the third optical fiber, the light beam enters the filter module 102 to measure the sample fluorescence intensity signal. When the motor moves to the fourth optical fiber, the light beam enters the monochromator module 103 to measure the absorbance.

[0042] Xenon lamps are used as the light source for ELISA readers primarily because of their spectral coverage of 200nm-1000nm. This broad spectral range is particularly important for studies requiring precise measurements of coverage at different wavelengths. Furthermore, their high brightness and long lifespan make them suitable for detection in biochemistry and molecular biology. The lamps can be precisely adjusted to the desired wavelength using filters or monochromators, meeting the needs of colorimetric assays or complex multicolor fluorescent labeling analyses.

[0043] Samples are usually placed in microplates. For different types of microplates, appropriate homogeneous solutions (homogeneous solutions are mixtures that are uniformly distributed throughout the system and have the same composition and properties) are added or adherent cells are cultured and moved to the corresponding positions via a loading stage.

[0044] In the filter module 102, the incident optical fiber (i.e., the third optical fiber) provides a broadband beam with an NA value of 0.22, which reaches the filter group. The filter group consists of a high-quality excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an emission filter. Different reagents have different filter groups, which are switched using a motor. When different test samples are selected on the control page, the motor switches to the corresponding filter group, allowing for switching between at least five filter groups. The beam passing through the filter group is shaped by a lens and focused onto the sixth or seventh optical fiber for top and bottom readings of fluorescence intensity, respectively.

[0045] In the monochromator module 103, the incident optical fiber (i.e., the fourth optical fiber), after beam shaping, passes through a small-aperture slit and is incident on the concave grating 10, where dispersion occurs. The concave grating 10 not only disperses light of different wavelengths but also has a focusing function, eliminating the need for lenses to focus light after using a planar grating, thus reducing the number of optical components and saving space. Furthermore, the concave grating design allows for higher resolution, which is particularly important for applications measuring specific wavelengths. After dispersion by the concave grating 10, light in the 200-1000nm range is formed. The concave grating 10 reflects the beam to the exit slit for bandwidth and wavelength selection. The bandwidth is adjusted by a motor (not shown) on the slit, and the wavelength is adjusted by a rotation control motor on the grating 10. Precise motor control ensures wavelength accuracy within a 2nm error range. The selected wavelength light is then refocused into the eleventh optical fiber by a lens system and transmitted to the sample measurement module 104 for absorbance detection.

[0046] In this embodiment, the fluorescence intensity reading is measured as follows: First, the excitation light signal from the filter module 102 is received, and then focused by a lens through the sixth optical fiber to focus the light beam onto the sample. The sample emits a fluorescence signal, which is collected by the focusing lens and transmitted to the sixth optical fiber. The signal is then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube 9 through the emission filter in the filter group 8 for data acquisition and analysis.

[0047] In this embodiment, the fluorescence intensity reading is measured as follows: the excitation light signal from the filter module 102 is shaped by the seventh optical fiber and a lens and focused onto the bottom of the microplate. The fluorescence signal emitted by the sample after fluorescence excitation is transmitted to the filter group 8 through the seventh optical fiber 7, and then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube 9 through the emission filter for data acquisition and analysis.

[0048] In this embodiment, bioluminescence measurement is performed by adding a luminescent sample (such as sea cucumber luciferin or firefly luciferin) to a microplate. The sample emits its own light, which is collected by a lens and counted by a photon-counting photodiode (not shown in the figure).

[0049] In this embodiment, absorbance measurement: the narrowband light filtered by the monochromator module 103 is transmitted to the sample detection module 104 through the eleventh optical fiber 11. The light exiting from the eleventh optical fiber 11 passes through a lens to be shaped into parallel light, and after passing through the sample, it is received and processed by a photodiode.

[0050] In this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the filter set consists of a high-quality excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an emission filter. Different reagents require different filter sets, which are switched using a motor. When different test samples are selected on the control page, the motor switches to the corresponding filter set. At least five filter sets can be switched.

[0051] Example 2

[0052] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a microplate measurement device with an optical fiber switching mechanism according to this utility model. Specifically, it includes a light source module, a filter module, a monochromator module, and a sample measurement module. The filter module and the monochromator module are jointly housed in a dark chamber, and the monochromator module is housed within a dark box.

[0053] The light source module includes a xenon lamp light source and an optical fiber switching device mounted on the lens of the xenon lamp light source. The filter module includes a beam expander, a filter wheel, and a focusing mirror array. The optical fiber switching device and the beam expander are connected by a transmission optical fiber. An opening is provided on the partition between the focusing mirror array and the monochromator module. An incident optical fiber with an external optical fiber sleeve (specifically a quartz tube, which straightens the insertion end of the incident optical fiber for easy insertion) is inserted into the opening. The rear end of the incident optical fiber is located at the focusing point of a focusing mirror in the corresponding focusing mirror array. After the light exits from the incident optical fiber, it enters each corresponding sub-monochromator in the monochromator module (a total of 4 in this embodiment).

[0054] Next, the light emitted from the sub-monochromator is reflected by the mirror groups in the aforementioned sample measurement modules, and then incident on a single mirror. It is further reflected into a semi-reflective lens, and then again into the objective lens, thus acting on the sample on the stage. This causes the sample to emit corresponding light, which sequentially returns to the objective lens, is projected out of the semi-reflective lens, and then enters the detector (CCD lens) behind the semi-reflective lens, ultimately entering the spectrometer (not shown in the figure) outside the device for analysis. The stage can be extended out of the dark chamber by pulling it out, and by placing the sample, it can be retracted into the dark chamber, thus forming a complete closed system.

[0055] Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the core fiber optic switching device and the installation of the xenon lamp light source of this utility model.

[0056] The xenon lamp light source includes a main unit and a xenon lamp light source lens extending from the main unit. The fiber optic switching device includes multiple focusing lenses disposed inside the xenon lamp light source lens, a housing, a switching motor, an output fiber, a retainer disposed at the focusing point at the front end of the xenon lamp light source lens, a connector, and a support frame disposed in front of the lens and threadedly engaged with the inner surface of the housing.

[0057] The housing includes an inner screw rear cover and a front cover. The inner thread of the inner screw rear cover is screwed tightly into the outer thread of the lens (not shown in the figure), so that the rear end section of the inner screw rear cover is pressed and abutted against the baffle set on the outer surface of the lens by a sealing washer (not shown in the figure).

[0058] like Figure 7As shown, the inner screw rear cover has a middle plate with an opening at its center. Light that has not passed through the focusing lens passes through the opening and is transmitted through the viewing window (made of quartz glass) of the front cover. A water-cooling cavity is located between the middle plate and the rear end section of the inner screw rear cover (see Figure a). The water-cooling pipe enters through the inlet connector (Figure a) passing through the baffle and the rear end section of the inner screw rear cover, and exits through the outlet connector (Figure a) passing through the baffle and the rear end section of the inner screw rear cover, forming a circulating water-cooling heat dissipation system. As shown in Figure a, the middle plate is provided with a heat dissipation ring. The vertical plane of the heat dissipation ring (Figure a) is parallel to the baffle, and the projection of the connector at the other end of the outgoing optical fiber onto the heat dissipation ring falls entirely within the area surrounded by the heat dissipation ring (see Figure a again). Multiple connecting ribs (see Figure a again) are provided between the inner and outer edges of the heat dissipation ring to connect the central plate surface of the middle plate and the remaining plate surface due to the heat dissipation ring. Specifically, the fixing device at one end of the outgoing optical fiber is located on the central plate surface of the middle plate. As shown in Figure b, the support frame is divided into a front and a rear section. The connector for the other end of the output optical fiber is located in the rear section. One end of the transmission optical fiber is also fitted with an optical fiber sheath (quartz material) and passes through the window and the opening (not shown) on the front section of the front cover before being inserted into the socket in the front section. As shown in Figures a and c, the four connectors and four sockets correspond one-to-one. The front and rear sections are respectively threaded into Figures c and a, and both have a center hole that corresponds to the opening in the middle plate, so that without passing through... Figure 5 The xenon excitation light from the middle reflector group passes through and... Figure 6 The viewing window is exposed for other uses besides fiber optic transmission. As shown in Figure d, the manual gate includes a handle and a gate plate connected to each other. The handle has a fixing pin hole for the pin to pass through after pulling and positioning the gate plate on the guide tube. Limiting posts and fiber optic segments are sequentially arranged on the gate plate from the fixing pin hole, from closest to furthest, to limit the pulling position, thereby facilitating the complete exposure of the fixing pin hole, the continued incident light from the other end of the output fiber, and the continued incident light from one end of the transmission fiber. See also... Figure 7 When one of the switching motors shown pulls upwards, the rear and front sides of the fiber optic segment are respectively connected to the other end of the output fiber and the end of the transmission fiber. As shown in Figures a and c, both the inner screw rear cover and the front cover are provided with half-section guide tubes, and their respective front and rear sections are provided with connecting posts and slots. In specific installation, first place the handle in Figure d on the half-section guide tube in Figure a or Figure c, stabilize it by holding the handle horizontally against it, and connect it by engaging the connecting posts and slots, so that the inner screw rear cover and the front cover, as well as the two half-section guide tubes in Figures a and c, are simultaneously combined into one, accommodating the handle in Figure d within the guide tube for guiding the pulling motion.

[0059] When testing samples, the motor can switch to the corresponding fiber optic channel based on the required number of samples and the required excitation wavelength, creating a single-source, multi-channel switching effect. To measure absorbance, the motor switches the light source to the monochromator module, where it is incident on a concave grating for dispersion. The wavelength is selected through a slit, and the beam is shaped and transmitted to the sample via fiber optic cable for absorbance detection.

[0060] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A microplate measuring device with an optical fiber switching device, characterized in that, The system includes a light source module, a filter module, a monochromator module, and a sample measurement module. The light source module, filter module, and monochromator module are connected by optical fibers. The optical fibers include an output fiber inside the light source module, a transmission fiber connecting the light source module and the filter module, and an incident fiber connecting the filter module and the monochromator module. The light source module includes a single xenon lamp light source, which includes a main unit and a xenon lamp light source lens extending from the main unit. The light source module also includes an optical fiber switching device detachably connected to the xenon lamp light source lens. The optical fiber switching device includes multiple focusing lenses, a housing, a switching motor, and an output fiber. The light source module includes a xenon flash lamp and a first beam shaping section; the filter module includes a second beam shaper, a filter group, and a first photomultiplier tube; and the monochromator module includes a grating and a second photomultiplier tube.

2. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fibers include a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, and eleventh optical fiber. The optical fiber switching device switches to either the third or fourth optical fiber. The third optical fiber is connected to the filter module, and the fourth and fifth optical fibers are connected to the monochromator module. The eleventh optical fiber is controlled by a motor. During optical fiber switching, a signal is first sent to the motor. The motor receives the control signal. When the motor moves to the third optical fiber, the light beam enters the filter module to measure the sample fluorescence intensity signal. When the motor moves to the fourth optical fiber, the light beam enters the monochromator module to measure the absorbance.

3. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, In the filter module, the third optical fiber serves as the incident fiber, providing a broadband beam with an NA value of 0.22 to reach the filter group. The filter group consists of an excitation filter, a dichroic mirror, and an emission filter. When different test samples are selected, the motor switches to the corresponding filter group, and at least 5 filter groups can be switched. The light beam passing through the filter group is shaped by the lens and focused onto the sixth or seventh fiber, where the fluorescence intensity is measured from the top and bottom, respectively.

4. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the monochromator module, the fourth optical fiber serves as the incident fiber. After beam shaping, it passes through a small aperture slit and is incident on a concave grating, where dispersion occurs. The dispersion by the concave grating forms light in the 200-1000nm range. The concave grating reflects the beam to the exit slit for bandwidth and wavelength selection. The bandwidth selection is adjusted by a motor in the slit. The selected wavelength light is then refocused into the eleventh optical fiber by a lens system and transmitted to the sample measurement module for absorbance detection.

5. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 3 above, characterized in that, Fluorescence intensity measurement: First, the excitation light signal from the filter module is received and focused by the lens through the sixth optical fiber onto the sample. The sample emits a fluorescence signal, which is collected by the focusing lens and transmitted to the sixth optical fiber. The signal is then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube through the emission filter in the filter group for data acquisition and analysis.

6. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Fluorescence intensity measurement: The excitation light signal from the filter module is shaped by the seventh fiber and lens and focused onto the bottom of the microplate. The fluorescence signal emitted by the sample after fluorescence excitation is transmitted to the filter group through the seventh fiber, and then transmitted to the first photomultiplier tube through the emission filter for data acquisition and analysis.

7. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Bioluminescence measurement: A luminescent sample is added to a microplate, and the sample emits its own light. The light is collected by a lens and counted by a photon-counting photodiode.

8. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Absorbance measurement: Narrowband light filtered by the monochromator module is transmitted to the sample detection module through the eleventh fiber. The light exits from the eleventh fiber, passes through a lens to be shaped into parallel light, and is received and processed by a photodiode after passing through the sample.

9. The microplate measuring device with fiber optic switching device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A retainer and connector are provided at the focusing point of multiple focusing lenses, and a support frame is provided in front of the lens and has an interference fit or thread fit with the inner surface of the housing. The xenon lamp light source generates multiple beams of light that propagate from inside the lens and enter the focusing lens in the xenon lamp light source lens. The beams are then transmitted through one end of the output optical fiber inserted in the retainer. The other end of the output optical fiber is inserted into the connector installed on the support frame and fixed. The housing is provided with a switching motor that corresponds to the other end of the output optical fiber. The control terminal sends a command to switch the motor according to the output optical fiber to be used, so that the output light in the corresponding output optical fiber exits from the other end and enters one end of the transmission optical fiber provided on the housing.

10. The measuring device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The housing includes a front cover and an inner screw rear cover. The inner screw rear cover has a middle plate at the front end of the internal thread. The internal thread of the inner screw rear cover mates with the external thread of the lens, causing the rear end face of the inner screw rear cover to contact and be fixed to a baffle on the outer surface of the lens. After being fixed, the middle plate of the inner screw rear cover abuts against the front end of the lens. The front end cross-section of the inner screw rear cover has multiple pins that can be detachably inserted into slots on the rear end cross-section of the front cover to form a single housing. A heat dissipation ring is formed on the middle plate of the inner screw rear cover. The vertical plane of the heat dissipation ring is parallel to the baffle, and the connector to which the other end of the outgoing optical fiber is inserted is on the heat dissipation ring. The projection falls entirely within the area surrounded by the heat dissipation ring. Multiple connecting ribs are provided between the inner and outer edges of the heat dissipation ring to connect the center plate of the middle plate where the fixation device is installed with the remaining plate surface due to the heat dissipation ring. Multiple semi-longitudinal guide tubes are also provided on the rear end section of the front cover and the front end section of the inner screw rear cover. When the two are combined into one cover, every two semi-longitudinal guide tubes are combined into one guide tube to guide the pulling motion of the manual closing valve. At least a part of each manual closing valve is placed in any semi-longitudinal guide tube. After the two are combined into one cover, the at least part is accommodated in the combined guide tube.

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