Scanning apparatus and methods useful for detection of chemical and biological analytes

Abstract

An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of scanning a vessel, comprising
 (a) translating a vessel along a reference surface of a detection apparatus, wherein the vessel comprises a lumen and a wall, wherein the lumen comprises analytes, wherein the reference surface contacts at least a portion of the vessel during the translating, and wherein the reference surface forms a structural loop with a detector; and   (b) detecting the analytes at different locations along the vessel using the detector, wherein the vessel is urged to the reference surface by a preload during the detecting, thereby scanning the vessel.   
     
     
         22 . A method of scanning a vessel, comprising
 (a) examining a first subset of analytes in a vessel while applying a preload to a first portion of the vessel, wherein the preload positions the first subset of analytes to occupy an xy plane in a detection zone, wherein the preload is not applied to a second portion of the vessel;   (b) translating the vessel to position a second subset of the analytes in the xy plane of the detection zone; and   (c) examining the second subset of the analytes in the vessel while applying the preload to a second portion of the vessel, wherein the preload positions the second subset of the analytes to occupy the xy plane of the detection zone, wherein the preload is not applied to the first portion of the vessel, thereby scanning the vessel.   
     
     
         23 . A reactor apparatus, comprising
 (a) a vessel comprising a lumen and a wall, wherein the wall comprises an internal surface and an external surface, wherein the internal surface contacts the lumen;   (b) a reference surface that forms a structural loop with an energy source;   (c) a preload configured to urge the external surface of the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface;   (d) a scan actuator configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension; and   (e) a transmitter configured to direct energy from the energy source to the internal surface or the lumen when the external surface of the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.   
     
     
         24 . A method of performing reactions in a vessel, comprising
 (a) translating a vessel along a reference surface of a reactor apparatus, wherein the vessel comprises a lumen and a wall, wherein the lumen comprises reactants, wherein the reference surface contacts at least a portion of the vessel during the translating, and wherein the reference surface forms a structural loop with an energy source; and   (b) directing energy from the energy source to the reactants at different locations along the vessel, wherein the vessel is urged to the reference surface by a preload during the directing of the energy to the reactants, thereby performing reactions in the vessel.   
     
     
         25 . A method of performing reactions in a vessel, comprising
 (a) delivering energy from a reactor apparatus to a first subset of reactants in a vessel while applying a preload to a first portion of the vessel, wherein the preload positions the first subset of reactants to occupy an xy plane of a reaction zone, wherein the preload is not applied to a second portion of the vessel;   (b) translating the vessel to position a second subset of the reactants in the xy plane of the reaction zone; and   (c) delivering energy from the reactor apparatus to the second subset of the analytes in the vessel while applying the preload to a second portion of the vessel, wherein the preload positions the second subset of the analytes to occupy the xy plane, wherein the preload is not applied to the first portion of the vessel, thereby performing reactions in the vessel.