Systems and methods for molecular diagnostics

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems, devices and methods associates with processing and analyzing samples for molecular diagnostics. The system may process samples using assay cartridges including sample preparation modules and PCR modules. The system may include thermal cycler modules and optics modules to detect the specific nucleic acid sequences in the samples.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A PCR-based molecular diagnostic device for assaying a plurality of PCR wells, said PCR-based molecular diagnostic device comprising an optic module for exciting fluorescent dyes in the PCR wells and detecting fluorescence emitted from the PCR wells, said optic module comprising:
 an excitation light source;   a plurality of excitation optic fibers for directing excitation light to the PCR wells;   a fluorescence light detector;   a plurality of emission optic fibers for directing fluorescence within the PCR wells to the fluorescence light detector, wherein termini of the emission optic fibers are arranged on a circle on an optic fiber plate;   a rotary plate sandwiched between the optic fiber plate and the fluorescence light detector, said rotary plate comprising multiple filters each for a different wavelength, wherein the filters are arranged on a circle matching the circle of the emission optic fibers on the optic fiber plate such that when the rotary plate is rotated the filters are capable of aligning with the termini of the emission optic fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation light source is a laser or an LED. 
     
     
         3 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 2 , wherein the laser is a fixed-wavelength laser or a tunable laser. 
     
     
         4 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 2 , wherein the LED is a single wavelength LED, a multi-wavelength LED or a white LED. 
     
     
         5 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the excitation light is passed through a filter before being directed to the PCR wells. 
     
     
         6 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescence light detector is a spectrometer, a single photo-diode, or a photomultiplier. 
     
     
         7 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , the rotary plate comprises five filters. 
     
     
         8 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the optic module comprises a motor driving rotation of the rotary plate. 
     
     
         9 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 8 , wherein the motor is coupled to a drive pulley connected to the rotary plate. 
     
     
         10 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the PCR wells contains multiple fluorescent dyes each emitting fluorescence of a different wavelength. 
     
     
         11 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , further comprising an assay cartridge loading area. 
     
     
         12 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control panel. 
     
     
         13 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a dispense system including a XYZ gantry with a pipettor. 
     
     
         14 . The PCR-based molecular diagnostic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermal cycler module.