Fluorescence Measurement System with Interchangeable Optical Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instruments for measuring emission light in multi-well plates are limited to specific fluorescent dyes, cannot perform simultaneous measurements in multiple wells, and require offline calibration, making them inflexible and inefficient for modern applications.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence measurement system with self-contained, multichannel optical cartridges that can handle multiple different fluorescent dyes, perform simultaneous measurements across multiple wells, and maintain calibration without taking the instrument offline, using a host apparatus with a stage and optical cartridges equipped with excitation light sources, emission light detectors, and memory for storing calibration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional instruments use fixed excitation light sources and emission filters configured for specific fluorescent dyes, then measurement accuracy for the specified dye is improved, but adaptability to different fluorescent dyes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument employs dynamically adjustable excitation light sources and emission filters that can be reconfigured for different fluorescent dyes. The excitation wavelengths and emission filter characteristics are made variable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to different dye properties while maintaining measurement accuracy through optimized configuration for each specific dye being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including excitation wavelength, emission wavelength, and filter characteristics based on the specific fluorescent dye being used. By allowing these parameters to be adjusted and optimized for each dye type, the instrument achieves both high measurement accuracy for the current dye and adaptability to switch between different dye types.
2Device complexity
If conventional instruments use a single emission filter for all wells, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement capability for multiple different fluorescent dyes in different wells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The emission detection system is segmented into multiple channels, each with its own emission filter optimized for a specific fluorescent dye. Instead of using a single filter for all wells, the system divides the detection capability into separate filter channels that can be assigned to different wells or well groups, enabling simultaneous multi-dye measurements while keeping each individual filter relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument achieves multi-functionality by equipping different wells with different emission filters, allowing a single instrument to simultaneously measure multiple different fluorescent dyes across different wells. This universal design enables the system to handle various assay configurations without requiring separate instruments for each dye type.
3Device complexity
If conventional instruments use X-Y mechanical scanners for sequential well measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement speed and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple detection channels into a simultaneous measurement architecture where multiple wells are measured at the same time rather than sequentially. By combining multiple emission filters and detectors that operate in parallel, the instrument achieves high productivity through simultaneous multi-well measurement while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular channel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical X-Y scanning system is replaced with a static multi-channel optical arrangement where multiple emission filters and detectors are fixed in position to simultaneously measure multiple wells. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical movement during measurement, dramatically increasing measurement speed and productivity while keeping the optical system relatively simple through fixed, predetermined optical paths.
4Measurement precision
If conventional instruments require offline calibration, then measurement precision can be maintained, but instrument availability and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument incorporates self-calibration capabilities that allow it to perform calibration procedures while remaining online and available for measurements. Through built-in reference standards and automated calibration routines, the system can self-adjust and maintain measurement precision without requiring removal from service, thereby maintaining both high measurement precision and continuous instrument availability for productive use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions using built-in reference standards and calibration features that are always available. By having calibration references permanently integrated into the instrument and performing calibration checks between measurements, the system maintains measurement precision proactively without requiring scheduled offline calibration events that would reduce instrument availability.
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 flexible and efficient measurement of emission light across multiple wells with different fluorescent dyes, ensuring uniformity and accuracy without the need for offline calibration, thereby enhancing the usability and reliability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
The wells are irradiated with excitation light of a wavelength that stimulates the fluorescent dye and the intensity of resulting emission light is measured
Implementation Method 2
Conventional instruments for measuring the intensity of the emission light generated by the activated fluorescent dye use such devices as cameras, photodiodes and photomultipliers to detect the light emitted by the fluorescent dye
Data Source
AI summary
The fluorescence measurement system includes a host apparatus and a self-contained, multichannel optical cartridge. The host apparatus includes a well plate receptacle, and a stage having optical cartridge receptacles that are elongate along one axis of the well plate. The stage and the well plate receptacle are movable relative to one another in the direction of the other axis of the well plate. The optical cartridge engages with the optical cartridge receptacle and includes a linear array of optical assemblies each including an excitation light source, and an emission light detector to generate an intensity signal. The optical cartridge also includes, a memory to store calibration information for each optical assembly. The host apparatus additionally includes a processor to correct the intensity signal from each optical assembly of the optical cartridge using the calibration information received from the optical cartridge for the optical assembly.