Patent ID: 8441629

Claim:
An optical multiplexing system for detecting sample components in at least two different sample chambers, the system comprising: a first optical unit for detecting a product of a first polymerase chain reaction (PCR), wherein the first optical unit comprises a first light source and a first detector; a second optical unit for detecting a product of a second polymerase chain reaction (PCR), wherein the second optical unit comprises a second light source and a second detector, wherein the first optical unit and the second optical unit are spatially separated from each other, wherein the system receives at least two sample chambers to be received at positions corresponding to the first and second optical units so that (a) the first and second light sources, respectively, simultaneously illuminate the at least two sample chambers and (b) the first and second detectors, respectively, simultaneously receive light from the at least two sample chambers, said first and second optical units simultaneously performing first and second optical measurement using two different optical wavelengths at said two spatially separated sample chambers, and wherein the system is adapted for a relative movement of the first optical unit and the second optical unit relative to the at least two sample chambers; a first heater associated with a first sample chamber of the at least two sample chambers, said first heater creating a first temperature progression at the first sample chamber; a second heater associated with a second sample chamber of the at least two sample chambers, said second heater creating a second temperature progression at the second sample chamber; and a control unit for receiving a PCR protocol, wherein said control unit controls the first and second heaters according to the PCR protocol to cause real time PCR reactions in the first and second sample chambers, said control unit simultaneously quantifying a targeted and amplified DNA molecule by relative movement of the first optical unit and second optical unit relative to the at least two sample chambers.