Optical disc assemblies for performing assays

Abstract

This invention relates to an optical disc assembly capable of receiving an insert upon which an analyte of interest may be disposed. The optical disc assembly can be read by an optical disc reader, such as by a standard CD or DVD reader, and the analyte disposed on the insert can be detected by the optical disc reader. The optical disc assembly may have one or more data layer in which operational information ox assay information is encoded. Hologram may be used to encode operational information or assay information.

1 . An optical disc assembly, comprising:
 a first layer containing optically readable structures which are trackable by an optical disc reader and which have encoded information enabling the optical disc reader to track the optical disc assembly; and   at least one insert having a surface capable of receiving an analyte which can be detected by the optical disc reader.   
   
   
       2 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises optically readable structures which have encoded information enabling the optical disc reader to detect an analyte which is located on the surface of the at least one insert. 
   
   
       3 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first layer comprises optically readable structures which have encoded information enabling the optical disc reader to interpret analyte detection results. 
   
   
       4 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert contains a refractive material and is capable of focusing a reading beam of the optical disc reader on the optically readable structures. 
   
   
       5 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes a surface impressed with the optically readable structures which are coated with a first reflective layer. 
   
   
       6 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one insert is attached to the first reflective layer. 
   
   
       7 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one insert covers substantially all of the first reflective layer. 
   
   
       8 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert has a rectangular shape. 
   
   
       9 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert has a triangular shape. 
   
   
       10 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insert has a ring shape. 
   
   
       11 . A method for detecting an analyte held by the optical disc assembly of  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing the optical disc assembly to the optical disc reader;   reading the optical disc assembly; and   obtaining a signal which is indicative of the presence of the analyte.   
   
   
       12 . An optical disc assembly, comprising:
 a hologram containing optically readable structures which have encoded information enabling an optical disc reader to track the optical disc assembly; and   at least one insert having a surface capable of receiving an analyte which can be detected by the optical disc reader.   
   
   
       13 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the hologram contains optically readable structures which have encoded information enabling the optical disc reader to detect an analyte which is located on the surface of the at least one insert. 
   
   
       14 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the hologram contains optically readable structures which have encoded information enabling the optical disc reader to interpret analyte detection results. 
   
   
       15 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one insert contains a refractive material and is capable of focusing a reading beam of the optical disc reader on the optically readable structures. 
   
   
       16 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a layer which contains a refractive material and is capable of focusing a reading beam of the optical disc reader on an image plane of the hologram. 
   
   
       17 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one insert is located between the hologram and the layer. 
   
   
       18 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one insert is within or adjacent to the image plane of the hologram. 
   
   
       19 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one insert has a rectangular shape. 
   
   
       20 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one insert has a triangular shape. 
   
   
       21 . The optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one insert has a ring shape. 
   
   
       22 . A method for detecting an analyte held by the optical disc assembly of  claim 12 , comprising:
 providing the optical disc assembly to the optical disc reader;   reading the optical disc assembly; and   obtaining a signal which is indicative of the presence of the analyte.   
   
   
       23 . A kit for detecting an analyte, comprising:
 a disc including a first layer that contains optically readable structures which have encoded tracking information enabling an optical disc reader to track the disc;   an insert having a surface capable of receiving the analyte, the insert being capable of being coupled to the disc to enable the optical disc reader to detect the analyte held by the insert.