Microtiter Plate Transmission Apparatus with Multi-Beam Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission devices for examining samples in microtiter plates are large, expensive, and difficult to use, requiring additional space and mechanical mechanisms that can lead to malfunctions, while also being inefficient in handling and measuring multiple cavities.
Innovation Solution
A compact and cost-effective transmission device design that divides emission light into multiple partial beam paths, allowing simultaneous examination of multiple cavities without moving the emission source or detector, using a light mixer to homogenize light and distribute it uniformly through light guides to detector units, and incorporating an angle-dependent filter to improve measurement quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism for moving the emission source and detector is used to measure all wells sequentially, then all cavities can be examined, but the device becomes large, expensive, and complex with additional mechanical malfunctions possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the single emission source output into multiple partial beam paths, with each path directed at a different cavity. This segmentation allows simultaneous examination of multiple cavities without mechanical movement, eliminating the need for complex moving mechanisms while maintaining the ability to examine all cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection functions are merged into a single detection device that receives light from multiple cavities simultaneously through the divided beam paths. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple moving detectors or emission sources, reducing mechanical complexity while preserving comprehensive cavity examination capability.
2Measurement precision
If shielding of the measurement chamber is provided to protect the detector from stray light, then measurement quality improves, but the device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The angle-dependent filter extracts and removes stray light components from the optical path before the light reaches the detector. By selectively filtering out unwanted light angles, the system achieves detector protection without requiring physical shielding structures, thus maintaining compact device dimensions while improving measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If sequential measurement of wells is used, then device structure is simpler, but examination time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emission source output is segmented into multiple simultaneous beam paths, allowing parallel measurement of multiple cavities. This segmentation transforms sequential examination into simultaneous multi-point measurement, dramatically increasing productivity while keeping the device structure relatively simple through the use of a light mixer and beam splitting optics.
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, space-saving, and cost-effective examination of multiple samples in microtiter plates by allowing simultaneous measurement of light signals from multiple cavities, reducing examination time and eliminating the need for complex mechanical movements, while maintaining high measurement quality.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination device comprises a light mixer which is designed to homogenise the emission light generated by the emission source and to distribute it with uniform intensity to the partial beam paths
Implementation Method 2
the partial beam paths in the illumination device each run in a light guide which abuts the light mixer with their entrance sides in a bundled manner, wherein the light guides in which the transmission beam paths run are designed to guide a portion of the emission light from the light mixer
Implementation Method 3
incorporating an angle-dependent filter to improve measurement quality
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a transmission apparatus (1) for examining samples in cavities (80) of a microtiter plate (8), and a method for examining samples in cavities (80) of a microtiter plate (8) by means of transmission. The transmission apparatus (1) comprises an illumination device (2) and a detection device (4), an interstice (6) configured to receive a microtiter plate (8) being embodied therebetween. The illumination device (2) comprises at least one emission source (20), which is embodied to generate emission light. The transmission apparatus (1) and the method are developed in that the emission light generated by the emission source (20) is split among a plurality of partial beam paths (25), wherein a plurality of the partial beam paths (25) extend as transmission beam paths through the interstice (6) to one detector unit of the detection device (4) in each case. The detection device (4) is embodied to separately measure light signals incident along the transmission beam paths for each transmission beam path by means of the detector unit.