Rotating sample positioning apparatus

Abstract

A positioning system for a sample analysis device is disclosed. The positioning system comprises (1) a carousel comprising a platform and a sample loading tray mounted on the platform, and (2) a stage comprising a positioning system for positioning the carousel under the optical path of an imaging system. The sample loading tray is configured for holding a cartridge comprising one or more lateral flow cells (LFCs).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A positioning system for a sample analysis device, comprising:
 a carousel comprising a platform and a sample loading tray mounted on the platform wherein the sample loading tray is configured for holding a cartridge comprising one or more lateral flow cells (LFCs); and   a stage comprising a positioning system for positioning said carousel,   wherein the carousel is movable relative to the stage.   
     
     
         2 . The positioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the carousel is rotatable relative to the stage. 
     
     
         3 . The positioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the carousel further comprises a clamp comprising a top bar, a bottom bar and at least one supporting rod connecting the top bar and the bottom bar, wherein the platform and the sample loading tray are disposed between the top bar and the bottom bar of the clamp. 
     
     
         4 . The positioning system of  claim 3 , wherein the clamp is movable relative to the platform and is capable of securing a cartridge in the sample loading tray when the clamp is moved to a lock position. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a magnet attached to the bottom side of the carousel, which facilitates movement of the clamp. 
     
     
         6 . The positioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the carousel further comprises a handle configured to manually rotate the carousel. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor-driven rotor connectively linked to the carousel to facilitate rotation thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stage a positioning system for X, Y and Z axis positioning, and angular adjustment of the carousel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprises a heating and cooling device that is capable of heating and cooling the LFCs in the cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating and cooling device is configured to allow real-time monitoring of a biochemical amplification reaction within a reaction chamber of an LFC of the cartridge by an imaging device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the carousel is moveable to a reaction position to bring the cartridge into contact with a heating and cooling device to facilitate reactions in a reaction chamber of an LFC within the cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . A positioning system for a microarray imaging device, comprising:
 a carousel comprising a platform and a sample loading tray mounted on the platform wherein the sample loading tray is configured for holding a cartridge comprising one or more microarrays; and   a stage comprising a positioning system for X, Y and Z axis positioning of said carousel,   wherein the carousel is rotatable relative to the stage.   
     
     
         13 . The positioning system of  claim 12 , wherein the carousel further comprises a pair of clamps, each comprising a top bar, a bottom bar and at least one supporting rod connecting the top bar and the bottom bar, wherein the platform and the sample loading tray are disposed between the top bar and the bottom bar of the clamp. 
     
     
         14 . The positioning system of  claim 13 , wherein each clamp is independently movable relative to the platform and is capable of securing a cartridge in the sample loading tray when the clamp is moved to a lock position. 
     
     
         15 . The positioning system of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom bar comprises a magnet which engages the bottom side of the carousel when the clamp is in an open position. 
     
     
         16 . The positioning system of  claim 12 , wherein the carousel further comprises a handle configured to manually rotate the carousel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein positioning system of the stage further allows for angular adjustment of the stage. 
     
     
         18 . A microarray imaging system, comprising:
 a positioning system for a microarray imagery positioning device, comprising: a carousel comprising a platform and a sample loading tray mounted on the platform wherein the sample loading tray is configured for holding a cartridge comprising one or more microarrays; and a stage comprising a positioning system for X, Y and Z axis positioning of said carousel; and   an imaging device for imaging a microarray.   
     
     
         19 . The microarray imaging system of  claim 18 , further comprising an excitation energy source. 
     
     
         20 . The microarray imaging system of  claim 19 , wherein the wavelength of the excitation energy source is tunable.