Luminometer and methods of operation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a luminometer and methods which provides simple and effective measurement of a plurality of wells in a plurality of strips in an automatic fashion. The luminometer may be used in CLIA (Chemi Luminescent Immuno Assays). The luminometer allows for CLIA micro strip reading, and reads break-apart wells, with a plurality of wells per strip, and calculates results instantly and automatically. The luminometer has an automatic carrier positioning system which selectively positions the plurality of wells in the plurality of strips at a measuring position, wherein the drive system associated with the positioning system drives the carrier along a single axis of movement. An optical track system automatically provides Y axis movement of the carrier. The luminometer may have a calibration system for maintaining proper operation of the system in measurements therewith.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A luminometer comprising,
 a photon measuring detection system,   a calibration system including a reference light source, and a light detector positioned to measure the light emitted from the reference light source, whereby a reference light signal is produced by the detection system which is thereafter comparable to the light subsequently detected from the same reference light source so as to allow generation of a calibration factor for any detected errors between a current measurement of the reference light source and the reference light signal.   
     
     
         2 . The luminometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser, with the reference light source positioned to emit light into the diffuser, and the light detector measures the light emitted from the diffuser. 
     
     
         3 . The luminometer of  claim 1 , wherein the reference light is controlled by an isolated circuit that emits a predetermined light along a predetermined axis, which can then be detected via the detection system. 
     
     
         4 . The luminometer of  claim 1 , wherein the reference light source emits light at a predetermined wavelength. 
     
     
         5 . The luminometer of  claim 2 , wherein the light detector comprises a photodiode to monitor the light emitted through the light diffuser and the detected light provides a signal to adjust the input voltage to the reference light source to create a closed loop system that regulates the intensity of the emitted light from the reference light source. 
     
     
         6 . The luminometer of  claim 1  wherein the reference light source is positioned adjacent an optical track system whereby a plurality of wells are positioned at the measuring position for measurement of photons therefrom, and the light from the reference light source is transmitted through an aperture in the optical track, aligned directly below the input side of a fiber optic cable associated with the detection system, to verify a well is properly positioned at the measuring position. 
     
     
         7 . The luminometer of  claim 1 , wherein the calibration system automatically takes a reading of the reference LED upon use of the luminometer and if the new reading is not within a predetermined range about the reference light signal, a factor is calculated to adjust all future readings accordingly. 
     
     
         8 . The luminometer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a track system including a measuring position, a carrier having a plurality of strips of a plurality of wells, and a drive system to allow Y axis motion of the carrier relative to the drive system, to position each of the plurality of wells to be positioned at the measuring position. 
     
     
         9 . The luminometer according to  claim 1 , further comprising a photon measuring detection system, a carrier for carrying a plurality of sample wells in a plurality of rows, and a drive system for moving the carrier to position a sample well at a measuring position in association with the photon measuring detection system. 
     
     
         10 . A luminometer comprising,
 a photon measuring detection system,   a carrier for carrying a plurality of sample wells in a plurality of rows,   a drive system for moving the carrier to position a sample well at a measuring position in association with the photon measuring detection system a first direction, and   a calibration system having a reference light source positioned to emit light into a diffuser and a light detector positioned to measure the light emitted from the diffuser, and a reference light signal produced in association with the detection system.   
     
     
         11 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , wherein the calibration system compares the reference light signal to allow generation of a calibration factor for any detected errors between a current measurement of the reference light source and the reference light signal. 
     
     
         12 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , wherein the reference light source emits a predetermined light into the diffuser, and a light detection system monitors the light emitted through the diffuser and adjusts the input voltage to the reference light source to form a closed loop system that regulates the intensity of the emitted light from the reference light source. 
     
     
         13 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , wherein the luminometer includes a control system to automatically take a reading of the reference light source and determine if the reading is within a predetermined range, and to generate a calibration factor is the reading is outside of the predetermined range. 
     
     
         14 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , further comprising a well isolation system to eliminate possible light contamination at the location of the sample well 
     
     
         15 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , further comprising an optical track system for movement of the carrier for automatically reading a plurality of wells at the measuring location. 
     
     
         16 . The luminometer according to  claim 10 , wherein the carrier is movable in the second direction relative to the drive system, whereby the plurality of wells are positioned at the measuring position. 
     
     
         17 . A method of calibrating a luminometer comprising the steps of:
 providing a reference light source,   initially producing a reference measurement using the reference light source in conjunction with a light detector,   storing the reference measurement,   subsequently turning on the reference light source and measuring the light emitted thereby to generate a current measurement,   comparing the current measurement with the reference measurement, and   generating a calibration factor if the current measurement is different from the reference measurement by a predetermined amount, and applying the calibration factor, if generated, to current measurements using the luminometer.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reference light is positioned to emit light into a diffuser and a photodiode monitors the light emitted from the light diffuser and the detected light provides a signal to adjust the input voltage to the reference light source to create a closed loop system that regulates the intensity of the emitted light from the reference light source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising automatically taking a reading of the reference light source upon use of the luminometer and if the new reading is not within a predetermined range about the reference light signal, a factor is calculated to adjust all future readings accordingly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reference light source is positioned to emit a predetermined light into a diffuser, and a light detection system monitors the light emitted through the diffuser and adjusts the input voltage to the reference light source to form a closed loop system that regulates the intensity of the emitted light from the reference light source.