US 6,982,431 B2 | ||
Sample analysis systems | ||
Douglas N. Modlin, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); Glenn R. Edwards, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); John C. Owicki, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); Michael T. Taylor, Newark, Calif. (US); and Samuel A. Marquiss, Santa Clara, Calif. (US) | ||
Assigned to Molecular Devices Corporation, Sunnyvale, Calif. (US) | ||
Filed on Aug. 13, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/218,897. | ||
Application 10/218897 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/041532, filed on Jan. 07, 2002, abandoned. | ||
Application 10/041532 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/004647, filed on Dec. 03, 2001. | ||
Application 10/004647 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/012255, filed on Nov. 12, 2001. | ||
Application 10/012255 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/836575, filed on Apr. 16, 2001, abandoned. | ||
Application 09/836575 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/778224, filed on Feb. 06, 2001. | ||
Application 09/778224 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/767434, filed on Jan. 22, 2001, granted, now 6,486,947. | ||
Application 09/767434 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/765869, filed on Jan. 19, 2001, granted, now 6,466,316. | ||
Application 09/765869 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/759711, filed on Jan. 12, 2001. | ||
Application 09/759711 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/733370, filed on Dec. 08, 2000, abandoned. | ||
Application 09/733370 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/710061, filed on Nov. 10, 2000. | ||
Application 09/710061 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/629599, filed on Jul. 31, 2000, granted, now 6,469,311. | ||
Application 09/629599 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/478819, filed on Jan. 05, 2000, granted, now 6,488,892. | ||
Application 09/478819 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/349733, filed on Jul. 08, 1999, abandoned. | ||
Application 09/349733 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/302158, filed on Apr. 02, 1999. | ||
Application 09/302158 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/144578, filed on Aug. 31, 1998. | ||
Prior Publication US 2003/0127609 A1, Jul. 10, 2003 | ||
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
Int. Cl. G01N 15/06 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 250—573 | 27 Claims |
1. An apparatus for detecting light emitted from a composition, comprising:
a stage for supporting a composition in an examination site, the composition being contained in a spatial volume lying between
boundary interfaces located a different points along a Z-axis, wherein the Z-axis is substantially perpendicular to the stage;
an automated registration device that automatically brings successive compositions, held in adjacent wells of a microplate,
and the examination site into register for successive analysis of the composition;
an arc lamp light source positioned to deliver light to the composition in the examination site;
a detector positioned to receive light transmitted from the composition in the examination site;
an optical relay structure located between the light source and the detector, the optical relay structure being capable of
transmitting light substantially from a sensed volume of the composition, wherein the sensed volume is spaced away from at
least one of the boundary interfaces of the composition; and
an automated Z-axis optical adjustment device that automatically adjusts the position of the sensed volume along the Z-axis
between and spaced away from the boundary interfaces.
|