Fluorescently marked targets bind to a substrate 230 synthesized with polymer sequences at known locations. The targets are detected by exposing selected regions of the substrate 230 to light from a light source 100 and detecting the photons from the light fluoresced therefrom, and repeating the steps of exposure and detection until the substrate 230 is completely examined. The resulting data can be used to determine binding affinity of the targets to specific polymer sequences.

Method and apparatus for detection of fluorescently labeled materials

The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.

Methods and systems for control of microfluidic devices

Wide angle, limited rotation, micro-lens scanning of DNA arrays, microscope slides, biological materials, etc., translated beneath the arc path of a micro-lens (18). Micro-lens (18), on low moment of inertia oscillating arm (19), while light source (24), detector (10, 95), and supplementary lenses (18b, 27) are stationary, achieve rapid, wide angle pixel-based microscopy. Aspheric micro-lenses achieve high N.A.. The preferred stationary light path extends to the axis of rotation (A) in plane parallel to the scan plane, at a substantial angle to the neutral position of arm (19). With arm position detected, the pixel data acquired from limited arc scans is converted by interpolation and timing to raster format. Dithered deflection of the light path upon the micro-lens (18) can straighten the scans. Auto focus raising and lowering stage (50) by actuator (44), while object (2) translates, enables rapid, wide range confocal microscopy. Transmission, reflection and fluorescence detection microscopes are shown.

Wide field of view and high speed scanning microscopy

The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides.

Integrated Apparatus for Performing Nucleic Acid Extraction and Diagnostic Testing on Multiple Biological Samples

An optical detection and orientation device is provided comprising housing having an excitation light source. An optical element for reflecting the excitation light to an aspherical lens and transmitting light emitted by a fluorophore excited by said excitation light, a focusing lens for focusing the emitted light onto the entry of an optical fiber, which serves as a confocal aperture, and means for accurately moving said housing over a small area in relation to a channel in a microfluidic device. The optical detection and orientation device finds use in identifying the center of the channel and detecting fluorophores in the channel during operations involving fluorescent signals.

Multiplexed fluorescent detection in microfluidic devices

An LED point imaging scanner for stimulating and reading fluorescent and reflective signal radiation from a target sample (10) is disclosed. LED light source (12) is mounted on scan head (20) and focused into pinhole aperture (15) of spatial filter (30), then collimated and focused to a spot (17) on sample (10). The spatial filter, or an optical fiber equivalent, effectively restricts the incoherent LED light and creates a point light source. Signal radiation from sample (10) is collected through scan head (20) and the returning light beam is collimated and focused onto detection means (40). A spatial filter (22) in the path of the returning beam may also be utilized. Detection means (40) is either a small detector directly mounted onto the scan head, or an end of an optical fiber which transmits the point image to a remotely-positioned stationary detector. The scan head is moved along one or two axes relative to the sample.

LED point scanning system

A compact, movable scan head (10) has multiple scanning modalities, capable of high speed and high resolution scanning of a variety of samples (20). Stimulation and detection of storage phosphor screens and fluorescent samples (20) are preferably achieved with first and second channels (81, 82) in an optical path of a first side (11) of the scan head (10). The first side (11) preferably has a laser diode light source (14). Reading of reflective and transmissive signals is also possible. A third channel (83) is available in the optical path of a second side (12) of the scan head (10). The third channel preferably provides LED (32) point scanning and reading of fluorescent, reflective and transmissive signals received from the sample (20). The various modalities of the scan head (10) have coincident optical paths.

Lars Majlof

Papers

LED point scanning system

Compact scan head with multiple scanning modalities

Led-system zur punktweisen abtastung