Instrumentation and Method Adapted For Optical Measurement of an Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of biochemical laboratory instrumentation for different applications of measuring properties of samples on microtitration plates and corresponding sample supports. An optical measurement instrumentation is provided, a sample is activated and the emission is detected, wherein between the activation and detection phases of measuring the sample, a shift is made in the relative position between the sample and elements directing the activation radiation to the sample as well as in the relative position between the sample and the elements receiving the emission radiation from the sample. This can be implemented e.g. by moving the sample assay plate and/or a measuring head between the activation and emission phases of a sample. The invention allows a simultaneous activation of a first sample and detecting emission from a second sample thus enhancing efficiency of the measurement.

1 - 18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . An optical measurement instrument for measuring samples ( 281 - 285 ), the optical measurement instrument comprising: 
 a first illumination source ( 211 ) disposed to produce first activation radiation into a first sample ( 281 ),    a first detector ( 231   a ) disposed to measure first emission radiation from the first sample ( 281 ) when the first sample is radiated with the first activation radiation,    shifting means ( 299 ) disposed to change a relative position between the samples ( 281 - 285 ) and the first illumination source and between the samples and the first detector,    characterized in that the optical measurement instrument further comprises a second illumination source ( 212 AS) disposed to produce second activation radiation to a third sample ( 283 ), said shifting means being disposed to change a relative position between the samples ( 281 - 285 ) and the second illumination source.    
   
   
       20 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the first illumination source ( 211 ) and the first detector ( 231   a ) are disposed to apply an Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay-analysing method.  
   
   
       21 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that said first detector ( 231   a ) is disposed to measure photoluminescence radiation.  
   
   
       22 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that said second detector ( 291 ) is disposed to measure chemiluminescence radiation.  
   
   
       23 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that said first detector ( 231   a ) is disposed to measure both emission radiation according to an Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay-analysis method and chemiluminescence radiation.  
   
   
       24 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the second illumination source ( 212 AS) is laser light source.  
   
   
       25 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the second detector ( 291 ) is one of the following: a photo-multiplier tube and Charge Coupled Device.  
   
   
       26 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the first illumination source ( 211 ) and the second detector ( 291 ) are adapted to operate simultaneously, the first illumination source ( 211 ) producing the first activation radiation to the first sample ( 281 ) and the second detector ( 291 ) measuring the second emission radiation from the second sample ( 285 ).  
   
   
       27 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the shifting means ( 299 ) are disposed to change the relative position between the samples and the first illumination source and between the samples and the first detector by a distance that equals to a distance between two adjacent samples or a multiple of said distance between two adjacent samples.  
   
   
       28 . An instrument according to  claim 19 , characterized in that the shifting means ( 299 ) are disposed to change a relative position of the first sample ( 285 ) and the second detector ( 291 ) in such a way that the first emission radiation from the first sample is directed to the second detector.  
   
   
       29 . A method for optical measurement of samples, the method comprising: 
 directing ( 63 ) first activation radiation from a first illumination source into a first sample,    measuring ( 64 ) emission radiation from a second sample,    after the first sample has become activated changing ( 66 ) a relative position between the samples and the first illumination source in such a way that the first sample is no more activated by the first activation radiation,    measuring ( 64 ) emission radiation from the first sample after the changing ( 66 ) the relative position,    characterized in that the method further comprises directing second activating radiation from a second illumination source into the first sample when measuring ( 64 ) the emission radiation from the first sample after the changing ( 66 ) the relative position.    
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that the measuring emission radiation comprises using an Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay-analysis method.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that that the measuring emission radiation comprises measuring photoluminescence.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that the first activation radiation is laser light.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that emission radiation is measured using a photo-multiplier tube.  
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that the directing ( 63 ) the first activation radiation into the first sample and the measuring ( 64 ) emission radiation from the second sample are performed simultaneously.  
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that a change in the relative position equals to a distance between two adjacent samples or a multiple of said distance between two adjacent samples.  
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 29 , characterized in that a first detector is used for the measuring emission radiation from the first sample when directing ( 63 ) the first activation radiation into the first sample and a second detector is used for the measuring ( 64 ) emission radiation from the first sample after the changing ( 66 ) the relative position.