Patent ID: 6359284
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A fluorescence detection apparatus which detects a fluorescent signal emitted from a specific substance of a sample taken in a sample vessel, said apparatus comprising:a sample holder which fixedly holds sample vessels arranged on a same arc; a partition plate; a light guide which is configured by optical fibers and which transmits flourescent signals emitted from respective test samples, to a single optical sensor; said single optical sensor; and a light source which generates excitation light, wherein fluorescent signal emission ends of said light guide are opposed to said single optical sensor, and fluorescent signal incidence ends of said light guide are respectively opposed to said sample vessels via said partition plate therebetween, wherein said partition plate includes excitation light optical means for selectively guiding the excitation light from said light source to only one of said sample vessels arranged on the arc, and fluorescence optical means for guiding only the fluorescent signal emitted from the selected one of said sample vessels to said light guide, and wherein said partition plate is coupled together with said excitation light optical means and said fluorescence optical means to driving means, to be rotatable about a center of the arc on which said sample vessels are arranged, and fluorescence is detected while the excitation light is guided sequentially to said sample vessels arranged on the arc, by rotation of said partition plate.