Assay imaging apparatus and methods

Abstract

A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples is provided. The method includes the steps of performing an assay at each sample site in a sample array having greater than 100 sample sites simultaneously illuminating each sample site using one or more LEDs, and simultaneously imaging each of the sample sites to produce imaging data pertinent to the optical effect of each site. Each assay provides an optical effect.

1 .- 233 . (canceled) 
     
     
         234 . A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the method comprising:
 performing an assay at each sample site in a sample array having greater than 100 sample sites, each assay providing an optical effect; and   simultaneously imaging each of the sample sites to produce imaging data pertinent to the optical effect of each site.   
     
     
         235 . The method according to  claim 234 , wherein the sample array has greater than 500 sample sites. 
     
     
         236 . The method according to  claim 234 , wherein the sample array has greater than 1600 sample sites. 
     
     
         237 . The method according to  claim 234 , wherein performing the assay includes performing replication cycles by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 
     
     
         238 . The method according to  claim 234 , wherein imaging includes simultaneously imaging each sample site during each replication cycle. 
     
     
         239 . The method according to  claim 234 , further comprising simultaneously illuminating each sample site using one or more LEDs. 
     
     
         240 . The method according to  claim 234 , further comprising analyzing the imaging data. 
     
     
         241 . A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the method comprising:
 performing an assay at each of a plurality of sample sites in a sample array, the sample array having a sample site density greater than one sample site per 20 mm 2 , each assay providing an optical effect; and   simultaneously imaging each of the sample sites to produce imaging data pertinent to the optical effect of each site.   
     
     
         242 . The method according to  claim 241 , wherein performing the assay includes performing replication cycles by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 
     
     
         243 . The method according to  claim 241 , wherein imaging includes simultaneously imaging each sample site during each replication cycle. 
     
     
         244 . The method according to  claim 241 , further comprising simultaneously illuminating each sample site using one or more LEDs. 
     
     
         245 . The method according to claim  141 , further comprising analyzing the imaging data. 
     
     
         246 . A method of conducting an assay on a plurality of samples, the method comprising:
 performing an assay at each of a plurality of sample sites in a sample array, each assay providing an optical effect;   simultaneously illuminating each sample site using one or more colored LEDs; and   simultaneously imaging each of the sample sites to produce imaging data pertinent to the optical effect of each site.   
     
     
         247 . The method according to  claim 246 , wherein performing the assay includes performing replication cycles by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 
     
     
         248 . The method according to  claim 246 , wherein imaging includes simultaneously imaging each sample site during each replication cycle. 
     
     
         249 . The method according to  claim 246 , further comprising analyzing the imaging data. 
     
     
         250 .- 309 . (canceled) 
     
     
         310 . The method according to  claim 239 , wherein each sample site contains at least one fluorescence probe, the fluorescence probe having an excitation bandwidth. 
     
     
         311 . The method according to  claim 310 , wherein the one or more LEDs have a central wavelength matched to the excitation bandwidth of the fluorescence probe. 
     
     
         312 . The method according to  claim 244 , wherein each sample site contains at least one fluorescence probe, the fluorescence probe having an excitation bandwidth. 
     
     
         313 . The method according to  claim 312 , wherein the one or more LEDs have a central wavelength matched to the excitation bandwidth of the fluorescence probe. 
     
     
         314 . The method according to  claim 246 , wherein each sample site contains at least one fluorescence probe, the fluorescence probe having an excitation bandwidth. 
     
     
         315 . The method according to  claim 310 , wherein the one or more colored LEDs have a central wavelength matched to the excitation bandwidth of the fluorescence probe. 
     
     
         316 . A system for imaging a through-hole array, the system comprising:
 one or more LED light sources configured to illuminate one or more through-holes in a through-hole plate; and   an imaging device configured to image one or more through-holes.   
     
     
         317 . The system according to  claim 316 , further comprising:
 one or more excitation filters for the one or more LED light sources.   
     
     
         318 . The system according to  claim 316 , wherein the one or more LED light sources are three LED light sources. 
     
     
         319 . The system according to  claim 318 , wherein the three LED light sources are symmetrically arranged with respect to the through-hole plate. 
     
     
         320 . The system according to  claim 316 , wherein the one or more LED light sources are located off-axis from the through-hole plate and the camera. 
     
     
         321 . The system according to  claim 316 , wherein the one or more LED light sources are located on-axis with the through-hole plate and the camera. 
     
     
         322 . The system according to  claim 316 , wherein light from the one or more LED light sources is columnated.