Patent ID: 6396581
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A fluorescence detection apparatus, comprising a sample holder for holding stationarily sample vessels deployed along a circle line or concentric circle lines having different radiuses, a partition plate connected to a driving means to be rotatable around the center of the circle line or concentric circle lines, an optical means for excitation light and an optical means for fluorescence light fixed respectively to the partition plate to be rotatable in integration therewith, a first light guide constituted of numerous optical fibers, a photosensor, and a light source for generating the excitation light, wherein(a) the optical means for excitation light is placed to introduce the excitation light from the side of the rotation center of the partition plate to excite selectively a sample in one of the sample vessels, (b) the optical means of fluorescence are provided in numbers of the circle lines having different diameters for arrangement of the sample vessels, and have respectively at least one second light guide to collect the fluorescence signals from the samples on the respective circle lines, (c) the optical fibers of the first light guide are deployed to confront the circular locus or loci drawn by fluorescence signal output ends of all of the optical means for fluorescence light on rotation of the partition plate, and are arranged densely to confront the photosensor at the fluorescence signal output end, and (d) the excitation light is successively introduced, with rotation of the partition plate, to the respective sample vessels arranged along the circle lines, and simultaneously the fluorescence is detected through the optical means for fluorescence light including the second light guide.