Curved Mirror Optical System for Microplate Simultaneous Observation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current luminescence microplate readers face challenges in simultaneously observing all wells of a microplate due to optical device positioning, leading to incomplete data collection and increased instrument size, and often require expensive optics or suffer from signal diffusion and cross-talk.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a mirror or sample block having compound curvature allows for substantially simultaneous observation of multiple points of interest from a common reference point, eliminating the need for extensive optics and reducing instrument size while maintaining unimpeded views of all wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the optical device is moved far from the microplate to see all wells simultaneously, then all wells become visible, but the instrument size increases and light signal diffuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved mirror with a specific radius of curvature to focus light from all wells onto the optical device. The curvature allows the optical device to remain close to the microplate while still capturing light from all wells simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between field of view coverage and instrument size.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved mirror acts as an intermediary element between the microplate and the optical device. It redirects and focuses light from all wells onto the detector, enabling simultaneous observation of all wells without requiring the optical device to be positioned far from the plate.
2Area of stationary object
If the optical device is moved far from the microplate to see all wells simultaneously, then all wells become visible, but light signal diffusion and cross-talk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The curved mirror focuses light from each well onto a corresponding location on the optical device, maintaining signal concentration and preventing diffusion. This curvature geometry ensures that light paths from adjacent wells remain distinct, reducing cross-talk and maintaining signal accuracy while enabling simultaneous observation of all wells.
3Measurement precision
If expensive optics are used to achieve simultaneous observation, then measurement accuracy improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved mirror serves as a simple yet effective intermediary that achieves simultaneous observation of all wells without requiring complex optical systems. The mirror's geometry naturally focuses light from all wells onto the detector, providing accurate measurements while avoiding the need for expensive lenses, filters, or complex optical arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, low-profile data acquisition from all wells without signal loss or cross-talk, improving the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of luminescence measurements in high-throughput assays.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that defines an optical path that includes a body and a curved mirror or curved sample block
Data Source
AI summary
Optical systems and apparatuses configured for enabling substantially simultaneous observation of a plurality of points in an array from a common reference point. Without the optical systems and apparatuses disclosed herein, less than all of the plurality of points can be observed substantially simultaneously from the common reference point.