Rotating LED Excitation Layout for Multiplex Luminescence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luminescence detection devices for temperature-dependent reaction systems are complex and require numerous mechanically movable components, leading to a cumbersome structure.

Innovation Solution

A luminescence detection device with a rotatable carrier wheel featuring LEDs arranged rotationally symmetrically, coupled with optical waveguides and a detector unit, allowing simultaneous illumination of multiple samples without mechanical movement of additional components, and incorporating a compact design with integrated heating and temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources and detectors are arranged with movable components to enable multiplex PCR detection, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity and mechanical structure become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiplex PCR detection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources (LEDs with different wavelengths) and multiple detectors onto a single rotatable carrier wheel, merging what would traditionally be separate movable components into one integrated rotating assembly. This reduces the number of independent mechanical components while maintaining the capability to perform multiplex PCR detection across multiple wavelengths and sample positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable carrier wheel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds multiple LEDs of different wavelengths, positions them over multiple sample receptacles, and coordinates with the detector array to enable detection across all samples. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, reducing overall mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a rotatable carrier wheel with multiple LEDs is used to illuminate multiple samples simultaneously, then the productivity and efficiency of detection is improved, but the number of moving parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous detection of multiple samplesVSAvoidnumber of moving parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple individual light source positioning mechanisms into a single rotatable carrier wheel that simultaneously positions multiple LEDs. Instead of having separate movable components for each LED, they are all integrated onto one rotating platform, reducing the total number of moving parts while enabling simultaneous illumination of multiple samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If optical waveguides and beam paths are arranged to direct light from LEDs through samples to detectors, then the measurement precision and detection quality is improved, but the device complexity and alignment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminescence detection accuracyVSAvoidoptical path arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical path is segmented into distinct functional sections: excitation light paths from each LED through optical waveguides to sample receptacles, and emission light paths from samples through optical waveguides to detectors. This segmentation allows for modular alignment and optimization of each optical path segment independently, managing the complexity of the overall optical system while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The device minimizes moving parts, enabling efficient, compact, and reproducible luminescence detection with reduced mechanical complexity and improved temperature control, facilitating simultaneous excitation and detection of multiple samples with high measurement quality.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation unit (2) comprising a rotatable carrier wheel (14) with at least two LEDs (14') arranged rotationally symmetrically on it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The excitation unit (2) comprises a reference optical waveguide (7) and at least one optical waveguide bundle consisting of a number of first optical waveguides (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 3

Luminescence detection apparatus for temperature-dependent reaction systems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 4

the light emitted from the samples (from fluorescence excitation)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 5

incorporating a compact design with integrated heating and temperature control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4650753A1Luminescence detection apparatus for temperature-dependent reaction systems
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 GERBION GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4650753A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4650753A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4650753A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a device for luminescence detection in temperature-dependent reaction systems, comprising an excitation unit (2) with a rotatable carrier wheel (14) having at least two LEDs (14') arranged rotationally symmetrically on it, and a mounting plate (21) with a reference connection point (22') and at least one connection point (22), which are arranged rotationally symmetrically corresponding to the LEDs (14'). The carrier wheel (14) can be arranged in at least two rotational positions corresponding to a number of LEDs (14'), in which a beam path from one of the at least two LEDs (14') strikes the reference connection point (22') and a beam path from at least one further LED (14') strikes the at least one connection point (22).The excitation unit (2) comprises a reference optical waveguide (7) and at least one optical waveguide bundle consisting of a number of first optical waveguides (5), wherein the reference optical waveguide (7) is arranged with its input end at the reference terminal (22') and the at least one optical waveguide bundle is arranged with an input end of the first optical waveguides (5) at the at least one terminal (22). A sample holder unit (3) comprises a sample holder (30) with a plurality of sample receptacles (33) corresponding to a sum of the first optical waveguides (5) of the at least one optical waveguide bundle, wherein each first optical waveguide (5) is arranged with an output end at one of the sample receptacles (33).A detector unit (4) comprises a reference photosensor (40") and a plurality of photosensors (40') and a plurality of second optical waveguides (6) corresponding to the plurality of sample recordings (33), wherein the reference optical waveguide (7) is arranged with its output side at the reference photosensor (40") and every second optical waveguide (6) is arranged with an output side at each of the photosensors (40') and with an input side at each of the sample recordings (33).