Patent ID: 6563581
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
A scanning system for detecting fluorescence emitted from a plurality of samples in a sample tray, comprising:a plurality of lenses positioned in a linear arrangement, said plurality of lenses configured to be offset at an acute angle relative to a linear row of sample holders arranged in a first direction in a sample tray, the plurality of lenses positioned adjacent the sample tray, the plurality of lenses and sample tray configured so that relative motion may be imparted between the plurality of lenses and the sample tray so that the plurality of lenses may linearly translate in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction of the linear row of sample holders; an excitation light source for generating an excitation light; an excitation light direction mechanism for directing the excitation light to a single lens of the plurality of lenses at a time so that a single sample holder aligned with the lens is illuminated at a time, the excitation light source directing the excitation light to each of the sample holders of the row in a sequential manner as the plurality of lenses translates in the second direction, light being generated from within the sample holder upon illumination; and an optical detection system for analyzing light from the sample holders.