Detector and screening device for ion channels

Abstract

The invention provides for a detector assembly, fiber assembly and screening system for optical measurements.

1 . A method of identifying a chemical, comprising: 
 measuring at least two optical properties of emitted light from individual samples of said chemical contained in a plurality of addressable wells of a multiwell plate;    aligning the plurality of addressable wells with a plurality of ball lenses;    directing electromagnetic radiation through each of said ball lenses;    detecting substantially simultaneously the emission of light from said sample that is transmitted through said ball lenses at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength, wherein said first wavelength is different from said second wavelength; and    identifying said chemical from said emission of light from said sample.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is directed to said plurality of ball lenses by at least one laser.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said electromagnetic radiation is directed to said plurality of ball lenses by at least one fiber optic bundle.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said emitted light focused by said plurality of ball lenses is directed to at least one detector through at least one fiber optic bundle.  
     
     
         5 . A method of identifying a chemical, comprising: 
 interrogating a sample including said chemical with a device by measuring at least two optical properties of emitted light from individual samples of said chemical contained in a plurality of addressable wells of a multiwell plate, said device comprising: 
 i) an optical detector module comprising at least one detector, said at least one detector being in optical connection to said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate and, said detector module simultaneously detecting at any instant, at least two optical properties from each well of said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate;  
 ii) a optical irradiation module comprising at least one light source, wherein said at least one light source irradiates said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate;  
 iii) a programmable moving conveying surface to align said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate to said detector module, and to move said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate into and out of said device;  
 iv) an integration and control module for coordinating the operation of said automatic measuring device;  
 wherein said data processing and control module coordinates said programmable moving conveying surface to move said plurality of addressable wells of said multiwell plate to said detector module;  
 wherein said detector module simultaneously detects at least two optical properties from each well of said second plurality of addressable wells of said second multiwell plate;  
 wherein said data processing and control module collects data from said detector module; and  
   identifying said chemical from said optical properties from said sample.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the optical property is light emission at a particular wavelength.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said detector module further comprises at least one fiber optic bundle comprising a trifurcated fiber optic bundle.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said trifurcated fiber comprises a first plurality of emission bundles for receiving light of a first wavelength and second plurality of emission bundles for receiving light of a second wavelength and said first plurality of emission bundles and said second plurality of emission bundles are randomly distributed in plurality of excitation bundles.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said detector module further comprises at least one ball lens separated from said trifurcated fiber by a transmission space.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said trifurcated fiber comprises a first set of bundles for transmitting light of a first wavelength and second set of bundles for transmitting light of a second wavelength and third set of bundles for transmitting light of a third wavelength.  
     
     
         11 . A method of identifying a chemical, comprising: 
 interrogating a sample including said chemical with an optical detection system, said system comprising: 
 a) a light source that launches at least one predetermined wavelength of light;  
 b) a sample holder;  
 c) a ball lens at a predetermined interrogation distance from said sample holder;  
 d) a trifurcated fiber adapted for dual optical interrogation and in optical communication with said ball lens;  
 e) a detector that detects optical signals of light of at least one desired wavelength and in optical communication with said ball lens; and  
   identifying said chemical from said optical signals from said optical detection system.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said trifurcated fiber comprises a first plurality of emission bundles for receiving light of a first wavelength and second plurality of emission bundles for receiving light of a second wavelength and said first plurality of emission bundles and said light source launches at least one predetermined wavelength of excitation light at said sample holder.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said ball lens is at a predetermined transmission distance from said trifurcated fiber and the optical detection system further comprises at least one positioner to controllably change said predetermined transmission distance.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical detection system further comprises at least one positioner to controllably change said predetermined interrogation distance.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical detection system further comprises a liquid handling unit to dispense liquids into addressable wells.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical detection system further comprises a light activation system for triggering liquid handling unit to dispense liquids into addressable wells.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said light source launches light through said trifurcated fiber to the location at least one addressable well in a sample in said sample holder to monitor epifluorescence.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical detection system further comprises a computer control system to manage interrogation of a sample.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the optical detection system further comprises a sample transfer system to transfer at least one sample platform to said sample holder.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said sample holder further comprises a positioning system.