Transilluminator system

Abstract

A transilluminator system includes a transilluminator for illuminating a sample to be analyzed with light and a storage container. The transilluminator is removably positioned in the storage container, which includes a bottom surface having an aperture. The storage container is adapted to function as an imaging hood to block ambient light when the transilluminator is removed from the storage container and the storage container is inverted and positioned over the transilluminator. The system may further include additional transilluminator(s), one or more emission filters, etc.

Description

TRANSILLUMINATOR SYSTEMCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 567,120 filed March 19, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 773,728 filed March 18, 2025. The entire disclosures of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to transilluminator systems as well as transilluminators and emission filters.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Transillumination is the technique of sample illumination by transmission of light through the sample. Accordingly, a variety of transilluminators are known and used for illuminating and analyzing biological and other samples. Typically, a transilluminator includes an illumination plate on which a sample can be placed, and one or more light sources below the illumination plate for illuminating the sample.SUMMARY

[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a transilluminator system includes a transilluminator for illuminating a sample to be analyzed with light and a storage container. The transilluminator is removably positioned in the storage container, which includes a bottom surface having an aperture. The storage container is adapted to function as an imaging hood to block ambient light when the transilluminator is removed from the storage container and the storage container is inverted and positioned over the transilluminator.

[0007] Additionally, the aperture may be adapted to accommodate a camera for capturing images of an illuminated sample.

[0008] Additionally, or alternatively, the storage container may include an antilight bleed gasket extending around at least a portion of the aperture.

[0009] Additionally, or alternatively, 4. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim further comprising an emission filter usable with the transilluminator and stacked in the storage container with the transilluminator.

[0010] Additionally, or alternatively, the emission filter may include one or more magnets for coupling the emission filter to the transilluminator in a parallel arrangement.

[0011] Additionally, or alternatively, the emission filter may include one or more magnets for coupling the emission filter to the transilluminator in a perpendicular arrangement.

[0012] Additionally, or alternatively, the emission filter may include a filter material positioned between two glass panes.

[0013] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator may include one or more magnets for coupling the transilluminator to the emission filter.

[0014] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator may include an excitation filter and / or a diffuser.

[0015] Additionally, the excitation filter and / or the diffuser may be positioned between two glass panes.

[0016] Additionally, or alternatively, the excitation filter may include an ultra-thin gel roll filter.

[0017] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator system may further include a lid for the storage container.

[0018] Additionally, the lid may include a storage compartment.

[0019] Additionally, or alternatively, the system may include multiple transilluminators positioned in the storage container.

[0020] Additionally, the transilluminators positioned in the storage container have the same length and width dimensions.

[0021] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator system may include a blue LED transilluminator and a white LED transilluminator.

[0022] Additionally, or alternatively, a first one of the transilluminators may be adapted to provide side illumination and a second one of the transilluminators may be adapted to provide bottom-up illumination.

[0023] Additionally, or alternatively, the emission filter may be adapted to block emission in the blue spectrum.

[0024] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator system may include multiple emission filters positioned in the storage container.

[0025] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator and the emission filter are waterproof.

[0026] Additionally, or alternatively, the transilluminator includes an onboard power source.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a transilluminator includes an excitation filter and / or a diffuser positioned between laminated glass panes.

[0028] Additionally, the excitation filter may include an ultra-thin gel roll filter.

[0029] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an emission filter may include a filter material positioned between laminated glass panes.

[0030] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.DRAWINGS

[0031] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figs. 1 A-1 D illustrate a transilluminator system according to one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figs. 2A-2D illustrate a transilluminator system having an emission filter according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figs. 3A-3C illustrate an emission filter magnetically attached to a transilluminator according to another example embodiment.

[0035] Fig. 4 illustrates an emission filter and a transilluminator according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Fig. 5 illustrates an emission filter and a transilluminator according to yet another example embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 6 illustrates a transilluminator system having multiple transilluminators according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Fig. 7 illustrates a transilluminator system having multiple transilluminators and emission filters according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Fig. 8 illustrates a lid for the storage container according to another example embodiment.

[0040] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DESCRIPTION

[0041] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0043] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identifiedas an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0044] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0045] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0046] A transilluminator system is illustrated in Fig. 1A and referred to generally by reference number 100. As shown in Fig. 1A, the system 100 includes a transilluminator 110 for illuminating a sample to be analyzed with light, and a storage container 120. The transilluminator 110 is removably positioned in the storage container 120 for storage purposes, as shown in Fig. 1 A.

[0047] The storage container 120 may optionally include a lid 130, as shown in Fig. 1 A and 1 B, to cover the open end of the container 120 and fully enclose its contents. The storage container 120 and the lid 130 (when employed) may be dimensioned and configured as desired for any given implementation of these teachings.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 1 B, the storage container 120 includes a bottom surface 124 with an aperture 128 extending through the bottom surface 124. The storagecontainer 120 is also adapted to function as an imaging hood to block ambient light during use of the transilluminator 110. More specifically, when the transilluminator 110 is removed from the storage container 120, a sample 200 to be analyzed (e.g., a gel) may be placed on the illumination plate 115 of the transilluminator 110, as shown in Fig. 1 C. The storage container can then be inverted and positioned over the transilluminator 110 and sample 200, as shown in Fig. 1 D, to block ambient light during use of the transilluminator 110.

[0049] The aperture 128 allows for viewing of the illuminated sample 200 directly, i.e., with the naked eye. Alternatively, a camera device 300, e.g., a smartphone camera, may be placed on the bottom surface 124 of the storage container 120 and used to capture images of the illuminated sample 200, as shown in Fig. 1 D. If necessary or desirable, the storage container 120 may include an anti-light bleed gasket extending around at least a portion of the aperture 128, e.g., to allow for consistent image capturing with the camera device 300.

[0050] The storage container 120 may be constructed of any suitable material, and preferably has a black matte color for blocking ambient light and creating ideal conditions for viewing gels and other samples. If necessary, one or more cable passages may be formed in the storage container 120 to allow cables to pass through without impacting the ability of the storage container 120 to rest level on a flat surface.

[0051] Fig. 2A illustrates another example embodiment of the transilluminator system 100. This embodiment is similar to Fig. 1 A but further includes an emission filter 140 that is usable with the transilluminator 110 and positioned in the storage container 120 with the transilluminator 110. As shown in Fig. 2C, the emission filter 140 may be placed over the transilluminator 100. A sample 200 may then be placed on the illumination plate 145 of the emission filter 140. The storage container 120 can then be inverted and positioned over the transilluminator 110, the emission filter 140 and the sample 200, as shown in Fig. 1 D, to block ambient light during use of the transilluminator 110 with the emission filter 140.

[0052] The emission filter 140 preferably has the same length and width as the transilluminator 110 to facilitate secure stacking of these units during use and storage. The emission filter 140 preferably includes a frame made of shatter-resistant and durable material for impact protection.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 3A, the transilluminator 110 may include one or more magnets 112 (including ferromagnetic materials) on its top surface for magneticallycoupling the transilluminator 110 to the emission filter 140. Similarly, the emission filter 140 may include one or more magnets (including ferromagnetic materials) on its bottom surface that are aligned with the magnets 112 on the top surface of the transilluminator for magnetically attaching the emission filter 140 to the transilluminator 110 in a parallel arrangement, for top-down viewing of a sample 200, as shown in Fig. 3B.

[0054] Additionally, the emission filter 140 may include one or more magnets 144 (including ferromagnetic materials) on a side edge, as shown in Fig. 3B. These magnets preferably align with one or more of the magnets 112 on the top surface of the transilluminator 110 for magnetically coupling the emission filter 140 to the transilluminator 110 in a perpendicular arrangement, as shown in Fig. 3C, for additional viewing configurations. For example, the arrangement shown in Fig. 3C allows viewing fluorescent protein expression in model organisms such as zebrafish in a chamber.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 4, the illumination plate 115 of the transilluminator 110 may comprise an excitation filter 116 and a diffuser 117 laminated between at two glass panes 118. The excitation filter 116 may be designed to block particular wavelength(s), e.g., wavelengths longer than the blue spectrum to minimize background interference and enhance fluorescence visibility. In some preferred embodiments, the excitation filter 116 comprises an ultra-thin gel roll filter. Alternatively, other types of excitation filter and / or diffuser materials and configurations may be employed. In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the illumination plate 115 comprises a single glass pane 118. In other embodiments, the illumination plate 115 includes only a diffuser to ensure uniform light distribution.

[0056] Similarly, the illumination plate 145 of the emission filter 140 may comprise, for example, an ultra-thin filter material 146 laminated between two glass panes 148, as shown in Fig. 4. The emission filter 140 is adapted to block emissions in any particular wavelength(s). For example, the emission filter 140 may be a UV / Blue block filter that cuts off wavelengths below 470 nm, ensuring that only light about 470 nm passes through.

[0057] The transilluminator 110 may employ any suitable light source(s) and configuration. Preferably, the transilluminator 110 uses one or more LED light sources capable of emitting UV, blue and / or white light, including broad-spectrum white light and / or light at the excitation wavelength(s) of fluorophores. Preferred light sources include blue LEDs emitting at a peak wavelength of 440-460 nanometers, cool white LED sources, ultrabright 5mm wide-angle LEDs for broad light distribution; 5730 SMDblue panels for precise excitation in the blue spectrum, and low-power COB units for high-intensity applications with manageable heat output.

[0058] Further, the transilluminator 110 may be adapted to provide bottom-up illumination, as shown in Fig. 4, with light emitted directly below the sample. This arrangement may require or benefit from a diffuser such as, e.g., an acrylic diffuser (3mm) to evenly distribute light from four white COB high-power light panels. Alternatively (or additionally), the transilluminator 110 may be adapted to provide side illumination, as shown in Fig. 5, where the light sources are tilted to diffuse the focused beam. Side illumination may provide less direct light on the sample, which may result in reduced brightness but better background uniformity and enhanced heat dissipation due to the angled placement of, e.g., aluminum-backed LED panels.

[0059] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the transilluminator 110 may include an onboard power source such as battery 114 for powering the transilluminator and its one or more light source(s), as well as an external charging port, an on / off button, etc.

[0060] Fig. 6 illustrates another example embodiment of the transilluminator system 100. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A but further includes another transilluminator 110 positioned in the storage container 120 with the first transilluminator 110 and the emission filter 140. Preferably, the first and second transilluminators 110 employ different light sources or configurations to expand the functionality of the system 100. For example, one transilluminator 110 may be adapted to provide bottom-up illumination with a blue LED light source (e.g., having an excitation peak at 465 nm), while the other transilluminator 110 may be adapted to provide side illumination with a white LED light source. Preferably, the transilluminators 110 have the same length and width dimensions as one another to facilitate secure stacking and storage in the container 120.

[0061] In the example embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the system 100 includes two transilluminators 110 and two emission filters 140 positioned in the storage container 120. As should be apparent, the transilluminators 110 and the emission filters 140 may each be configured as desired to customize or expand the functionality of the system 100. In other embodiments, more transilluminators 110 and / or emission filters 140 may be employed.

[0062] The transilluminators 110 and the emission filters 140 disclosed herein preferably employ a waterproof construction and are washable, to permit cleaning andsterilization of these units when necessary or appropriate. Accordingly, waterproof on / off buttons and electrical connectors, etc. are preferably employed.

[0063] Fig. 8 illustrates another example embodiment of the lid 130. In this example, the underside of the 130 includes a removable storage compartment for storing charging cables, cleaning supplies, or other accessories or components.

[0064] The transilluminator system 100 disclosed herein is particularly well suited for use as a bench-top, space saving, washable and stackable device for the visualization, documentation, and processing of molecular biology samples such as, e.g., DNA, RNA, and proteins in agarose and polyacrylamide gels. Applications of the system 100 include the visualization, documentation, and processing of gels (e.g., enabling the examination and manipulation of fluorescent and non-fluorescent stained nucleic acids and proteins in agarose or polyacrylamide gels), viewing DNA gels stained with new safe fluorescent dyes such as SybrSafe, GelRed, GelGreen that have an excitation wavelength of 465-470nm (in the blue light spectrum), colony counting (e.g., facilitating the counting and analysis of colonies in microbiological studies), detection of fluorescent proteins (e.g., supporting the observation and documentation of samples expressing fluorescent proteins), imaging model organisms (e.g., providing a wide viewing area for imaging model organisms with fluorescent reporter expression), colorimetric and fluorescence assays, etc.

[0065] The system 100 can provide an all-in-one solution for molecular biology workflows, addressing the evolving needs of laboratories, educational institutions, and field researchers.

[0066] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A transilluminator system comprising: a transilluminator for illuminating a sample to be analyzed with light; and a storage container; wherein the transilluminator is removably positioned in the storage container; wherein the storage container includes a bottom surface having an aperture; and wherein the storage container is adapted to function as an imaging hood to block ambient light when the transilluminator is removed from the storage container with the storage container inverted and positioned over the transilluminator.

2. The transilluminator system of claim 1 wherein the aperture is adapted to accommodate a camera for capturing images of an illuminated sample.

3. The transilluminator system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage container includes an anti-light bleed gasket extending around at least a portion of the aperture.

4. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim further comprising an emission filter usable with the transilluminator and stacked in the storage container with the transilluminator.

5. The transilluminator system of claim 4 wherein the emission filter includes one or more magnets for coupling the emission filter to the transilluminator in a parallel arrangement.

6. The transilluminator system of claim 4 or 5 wherein the emission filter includes one or more magnets for coupling the emission filter to the transilluminator in a perpendicular arrangement.

7. The transilluminator system of any one of claims 4-6 wherein the emission filter includes a filter material positioned between two glass panes.

8. The transilluminator system of any one of claims 4-7 wherein the transilluminator includes one or more magnets for coupling the transilluminator to the emission filter.

9. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim wherein the transilluminator includes a filter and / or diffuser.

10. The transilluminator system of claim 9 wherein the filter and / or diffuser is positioned between two glass panes.11 . The transilluminator system of claim 10 wherein the filter comprises an ultrathin gel roll filter.

12. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim further comprising a lid for the storage container.

13. The transilluminator system of any claim 12 wherein the lid includes a storage compartment.

14. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim wherein the transilluminator is a first transilluminator, the system further comprising a second transilluminator positioned in the storage container.

15. The transilluminator system of claim 14 wherein the second transilluminator has a length and width that is substantially the same as a length and width of the first transilluminator.

16. The transilluminator system of claim 14 or 15 wherein the first transilluminator is a blue LED transilluminator and the second transilluminator is a white LED transilluminator.

17. The transilluminator system of any one of claims 14-16 wherein the first transilluminator is configured to provide side illumination and the second transilluminator is configured to provide bottom-up illumination.

18. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim wherein the emission filter is adapted to block emission in the blue spectrum.

19. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim further comprising a second emission filter usable with the first transilluminator and / or the second transilluminator and positioned in the storage container.

20. The transilluminator system of any preceding claim wherein the transilluminator and the emission filter are waterproof.21 . The transilluminator system of any preceding claim wherein the transilluminator includes an onboard power source.

22. A transilluminator comprising an excitation filter and / or a diffuser positioned between laminated glass panes.

23. The transilluminator of claim 22 wherein the excitation filter comprises an ultra-thin gel roll filter.

24. An emission filter comprising a filter material positioned between laminated glass panes.

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