Patent ID: 7749736

Claim:
A fluorescence detection apparatus for analyzing samples located in a plurality of wells in a thermal cycler, the apparatus comprising: a thermal cycler having a lid and a plurality of sample wells; a support structure mounted inside the lid of the thermal cycler; a shuttle movably mounted on the support structure; and a detection module attached to the shuttle, the detection module including: a housing having an opening that is oriented toward the plurality of wells when the lid of the thermal cycler is closed; an excitation light generator disposed entirely within the housing; an emission light detector disposed entirely within the housing; and a plurality of optical components defining an excitation optical path for light of an excitation wavelength from the excitation light generator to the opening of the housing and a detection optical path for light of a detection wavelength from the opening of the housing to the emission light detector, wherein all optical components of the excitation optical path and the emission optical path are disposed within the housing of the detection module, and wherein, when the lid is closed, the shuttle is movable to position the detection module in optical communication with different wells of the plurality of wells while the thermal cycler is operating.