Assay plates, reader systems and methods for luminescence test measurements

Abstract

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adopted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

1 .- 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . A reader comprising:
 a. a light tight enclosure;   b. a photodetector within the light tight enclosure;   c. optics, wherein the photodetector is connected to the light tight enclosure and/or the optics;   d. a multi-well assay plate configured to be transported into and out of the light tight enclosure;   e. at least one of a plate alignment mechanism, a plate stacker and a plate transport mechanism configured to move the multi-well assay plate within the light tight enclosure; and   f. a bar code reader configured to read a bar code on a surface of the multi-well assay plate.   
     
     
         47 . The reader or  claim 46 , further comprising a cover. 
     
     
         48 . The reader of  claim 47 , wherein the cover is a plastic molded material selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, a structural foam, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate. 
     
     
         49 . The reader of  claim 48 , wherein the cover further comprises one or more of a metal and a carbon based material. 
     
     
         50 . The reader of  claim 47 , wherein the cover comprises an intake vent that is separate from an exhaust vent. 
     
     
         51 . The reader of  claim 47 , wherein the cover comprises an aperture and a door covering the aperture. 
     
     
         52 . The reader of  claim 51 , wherein the door is configured to open and close by sliding along a tortuous tongue and groove configuration at a junction between the door and the aperture. 
     
     
         53 . The reader of  claim 47 , wherein the light tight enclosure is configured to provide at least a degree of external light rejection so that a change in ambient light level from 500 lux to 0 lux does not increase the apparent coefficient of variation in background signal by more than 20%. 
     
     
         54 . The reader of  claim 46 , wherein the optics comprises a lens configured to project an image having an area of between 25% and 100% of an area being imaged, and a tapered fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
         55 . The reader of  claim 46 , wherein the plate transport mechanism comprises a plate carrier configured to hold the multi-well assay plates during transport, one or more linear translation stages configured to move the plate carrier, and one or of a magnetizable tab, a sensor, and a mechanism configured to align and/or hold the multi-well assay plate to the plate carrier. 
     
     
         56 . The reader of  claim 46 , wherein the plate alignment mechanism comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of a Hall effect sensor, an infrared sensor and an optical encoder. 
     
     
         57 . The reader of  claim 46 , wherein the photodetector comprises an array of photodiodes, wherein the photodiodes are arrange din a line and are positioned to align with a line of wells of the multi-well plate. 
     
     
         58 . The reader of  claim 57 , further comprising a shield extending around the array of photodiodes, wherein the shield is configured to reduce electromagnetic interference.