Molecular Devices Corporation

Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Mds Analytical Technologies

David G Ogle

Roger A Kaye

Dean G Hafeman

Calvin Y Chow

Mark Wechsler

Michael M Lacy

Howard Hunter Barney

Kimberly L Crawford

Robert Giebeler

John T Taylor

Roger Kaye

The present invention relates to a photometric device for measuring optical parameters. The invention functions in the ultraviolet light range through use of a monochromator and splits the test light in multiple channels by a rotor assembly, including a mirror.

Photometric device

A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. An optical scanning head assembly is used that includes mirrored optics for coupling the excitation source to the sample and the emitted light to the detector. An elliptical focussing mirror is used to magnify and focus the light projected from an optical fiber coupled to the source subassembly onto the sample. A portion of the source light is reflected by a beamsplitter onto a reference detector used to monitor the output of the source. The light from the elliptical mirror passes through an aperture in a second elliptical mirror prior to impinging upon the sample. The light emitted by the sample within the sample well is reflected by the second elliptical mirror and imaged onto the entrance aperture of an optical fiber coupled to the detector subassembly. The optical axes of both mirrors are slightly offset from the sample well normal. The mirror offset minimizes the amount of light reflected from the meniscus of the sample or the bottom surface of the sample well that enters the detection subassembly.

Optical system for a scanning fluorometer

A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. In another aspect, the excitation light and the detected sample emissions pass to and from an optical head assembly via a pair of optical fibers. The optical head assembly is scanned across one axis of the sample multi-assy plate. The multi-assay plate is mounted to a carriage assembly that scans the plate along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.

Scanning fluorometer

A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. In one aspect, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the excitation source subassembly, thus allowing the system to be quickly converted from one optical configuration to another. For example, the source can be used to illuminate either the top or the bottom of a sample well within a multi-assay plate or to illuminate a single cuvette cell. Similarly, multiple optical fibers are coupled to the detector subassembly. In another aspect, the excitation light and the detected sample emissions pass to and from an optical head assembly via a pair of optical fibers. The optical head assembly is scanned across one axis of the sample multi-assay plate. The multi-assay plate is mounted to a carriage assembly that scans the plate along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. In another aspect, an optical scanning head assembly is used that includes mirrored optics for coupling the excitation source to the sample and the emitted light to the detector.

A high pressure valve for control of the injection of a sample into an analyzer system such as an amino acid analyzer with liquid column chromatography. The valve is designed in such a manner that no rinse solution that is used to cleanse the system after the injection of a particular sample will enter the liquid column. The valve operates in two positions and requires a minimum of movement between the two positions. In one position the valve allows for the injection of the sample into the liquid column. In the second position the valve allows for the entry of only a buffer solution into the liquid column and blocks the entry of any rinse solution that may flow through the system for cleansing after the injection of the sample. No residual rinse solution is allowed to remain within the valve prior to injection of either a sample or a buffer material into the liquid column.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

David G Ogle