Abstract: A measurement system comprises an optical detector, a plurality of power sources operable to provide different outputs, and a controllable circuit operable to couple a first selected one of the plurality of power sources to the optical detector. A programmable device is operable when each of the plurality of power sources is providing an associated power output to: (a.) obtain a first measurement from the optical detector while the first selected one of the plurality of power sources is coupled to the optical detector; (b) cause the controllable circuit to couple a second selected one of the plurality of power sources to the optical detector in response to the first measurement; and (c) obtain a second measurement from the optical detector while the second selected one of the plurality of power sources is coupled to the optical detector. Optical measurement methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system (90) for imaging microscopic samples comprises a light source (31) for exciting fluorescence from at least one sample, a photosensor (40) configured to detect light deflected by a beam splitter (20) from an optical excitation path directed to the sample and output an electrical signal of optical flux to the sample, a camera (30) configured to receive and form an image of fluorescence light emitted from the sample, and a controller (134) comprising an integrator (122) configured to integrate the electrical signal from the photodetector and a comparator configured to compare the integrated output to a predetermined threshold, wherein the controller is configured to control an exposure time of the camera such that each sample receives substantially the same total optical flux of incident light during a duration of camera exposure which is terminated when a predetermined threshold representative of the total optical flux is met.

Abstract: A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

Abstract: A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

Abstract: A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

Abstract: A microplate reader and a method for operating the microplate reader are disclosed. The microplate reader includes a housing, a first NFC reader/writer, a filter tray positioning device, a filter tray, an optical filter disposed in the filter tray, and a controller. The filter tray has a filter tray NFC tag disposed thereon and the filter has a filter NFC tag disposed thereon. The controller receives information about an assay protocol to be undertaken, wherein the assay protocol specifies a filter to be used. The first NFC reader/writer reads filter information stored in the filter NFC tag, the controller directs the NFC reader/writer to store the filter information in the filter tray NFC tag, and the controller enables operation of the microplate reader to undertake the assay protocol only if filter information indicates that the optical filter is in accordance with the filter specified in the assay protocol.

Abstract: A microplate reader and a method for operating the microplate reader are disclosed. The microplate reader includes a housing, a first NFC reader/writer, a filter tray positioning device, a filter tray, an optical filter disposed in the filter tray, and a controller. The filter tray has a filter tray NFC tag disposed thereon and the filter has a filter NFC tag disposed thereon. The controller receives information about an assay protocol to be undertaken, wherein the assay protocol specifies a filter to be used. The first NFC reader/writer reads filter information stored in the filter NFC tag, the controller directs the NFC reader/writer to store the filter information in the filter tray NFC tag, and the controller enables operation of the microplate reader to undertake the assay protocol only if filter information indicates that the optical filter is in accordance with the filter specified in the assay protocol.

Abstract: A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

Abstract: A light detector includes a cooling device between a photomultiplier tube (PMT) device and a heat sink. A thermally conductive shield encloses the PMT device and the cooling device and is in thermal contact with the heat sink such that the heat sink transfers heat to the shield. The light detector may be included in sample analyzing apparatus configured for making optical measurements of a sample.

Abstract: In a sample analyzing apparatus, an injector assembly injects a reagent onto a sample, and luminescent light from the sample is transmitted to a detector. The assembly may be movable toward and away from the sample. The assembly may include one or more needles that communicate with one or more reservoirs supplying reagent or other liquids. The assembly may include a light guide for communicating with the detector. A cartridge may be provided in which the assembly, one or more reservoirs, and one or more pumps are disposed. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may be configured for enabling rinsing or priming to be done outside the apparatus. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may include one or more types of sensors configured for detecting, for example, the presence of liquid or bubbles in one or more locations of the apparatus and/or the cartridge.

Abstract: A light detector includes a cooling device between a photomultiplier tube (PMT) device and a heat sink. A thermally conductive shield encloses the PMT device and the cooling device and is in thermal contact with the heat sink such that the heat sink transfers heat to the shield. The light detector may be included in sample analyzing apparatus configured for making optical measurements of a sample.

Abstract: In a sample analyzing apparatus, an injector assembly injects a reagent onto a sample, and luminescent light from the sample is transmitted to a detector. The assembly may be movable toward and away from the sample. The assembly may include one or more needles that communicate with one or more reservoirs supplying reagent or other liquids. The assembly may include a light guide for communicating with the detector. A cartridge may be provided in which the assembly, one or more reservoirs, and one or more pumps are disposed. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may be configured for enabling rinsing or priming to be done outside the apparatus. The cartridge and/or the apparatus may include one or more types of sensors configured for detecting, for example, the presence of liquid or bubbles in one or more locations of the apparatus and/or the cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating an emitted light in response to an excitation light. In an example system, an excitation light source generates the excitation light along an excitation optical path. An attenuation filter arrangement selectively adds an attenuation filter to the excitation optical path. The attenuation filter attenuates the excitation light by a corresponding attenuation factor. The excitation light exits the attenuation filter arrangement along the excitation optical path to illuminate the sample. A light energy detector receives the emitted light generated in response to the excitation light, and outputs a measured signal level corresponding to an emitted light level. If the light energy detector indicates an overflow, signal measurement is repeated with attenuation filters of increasing attenuation factors until the measured signal level does not overflow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a light intensity. An example photodetector measurement circuit comprises a photodetector that receives a light and generates a photodetector current indicative of the light intensity. The measurement circuit includes a first integrator coupled along a first signal path to the photodetector to generate a first voltage signal at a first integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A second integrator is configured to generate a second voltage signal at a second integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A differential amplifier receives the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal and generates a third output signal at a differential amplifier output indicative of a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. The differential amplifier outputs the third voltage signal to an analog-to-digital conversion function (“ADC function”) input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring a light intensity. An example photodetector measurement circuit comprises a photodetector that receives a light and generates a photodetector current indicative of the light intensity. The measurement circuit includes a first integrator coupled along a first signal path to the photodetector to generate a first voltage signal at a first integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A second integrator is configured to generate a second voltage signal at a second integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A differential amplifier receives the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal and generates a third output signal at a differential amplifier output indicative of a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. The differential amplifier outputs the third voltage signal to an analog-to-digital conversion function (“ADC function”) input.