Multiplex fluorescence detection device having removable optical modules

Abstract

Techniques are described for the detection of multiple target species in real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For example, a system comprises a data acquisition device and a detection device coupled to the data acquisition device. The detection device includes a rotating disk having a plurality of process chambers having a plurality of species that emit fluorescent light at different wavelengths. The device further includes a plurality of removable optical modules. Each of the removable optical modules is optically configured to excite the species and capture fluorescent light emitted by the species at different wavelengths. A fiber optic bundle coupled to the plurality of removable optical modules conveys the fluorescent light from the optical modules to a single detector.

1 . A method comprising:
 rotating a disk having a plurality of process chambers each having one or more species that emit fluorescent light at different wavelengths;   exciting the disk with a plurality of light beams to produce a plurality of emitted fluorescent light beams; and   capturing the fluorescent light beams with a plurality of different removable optical modules, wherein the removable optical modules are optically configured for the different wavelengths and contained within a housing.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 conveying the fluorescent light beams from the plurality of modules to a single detector with a fiber optic bundle; and   outputting a signal from the detector representative of the fluorescent light beams.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of locations adapted to receive the optical modules. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising inserting one or more of the plurality of removable optical modules into the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising removing one or more of the plurality of modules from the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising electronically coupling each of the plurality of modules to one or more electrical contacts connected to a control unit. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein exciting the disk with a plurality of light beams may be accomplished by sending the light beams through an excitation filter and capturing the fluorescent light beams may be accomplished by sending the fluorescent light beams through a detection filter. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing an output signal from a slot sensor trigger for synchronization of rotation of the disk with captured fluorescence light. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising opening a valve separating a process chamber from a holding chamber with a laser valve control system. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting a wavelength for each of the plurality of light beams for exciting the different species of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) utilizing fluorescence detection at multiple wavelengths 
   
   
       11 . A removable optical module for a detection device comprising:
 an optical channel having a light source selected for a different one of a plurality of fluorescent dyes and a lens to capture fluorescent light emitted from a disk;   a set of one or more optical module electrical contacts for electronically coupling to a set of one or more housing electrical contacts within a housing; and   an attachment mechanism to attach the optical module to the housing.   
   
   
       12 . The removable optical module of  claim 11 , further comprising an excitation and a detection filter. 
   
   
       13 . The removable optical module of  claim 11 , further comprising an optical output port for coupling to a leg of a fiber optic bundle attached to a detector. 
   
   
       14 . The removable optical module of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of guides which mate to a plurality of tracks within a location of the housing. 
   
   
       15 . The removable optical module of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment mechanism includes a lever, a pivot pin, a spring, a latch or a screw. 
   
   
       16 . A removable dual optical channel optical module for a detection device comprising:
 a first optical channel having a light source selected for a first fluorescent dye and a lens to capture fluorescent light of a first wavelength emitted from a disk;   a second optical channel having a light source selected for a second fluorescent dye and a lens to capture fluorescent light of a second wavelength emitted from the disk;   a set of one or more optical module electrical contacts for electronically coupling to a set of one or more housing electrical contacts within a housing; and   an attachment mechanism to attach the optical module to the housing.   
   
   
       17 . The optical module of  claim 16 , further comprising a first excitation filter, a first detection filter, a second excitation filter and a second detection filter. 
   
   
       18 . The optical module of  claim 16 , further comprising a first optical output port for coupling to a first leg of a fiber optic bundle attached to a detector and a second optical output port for coupling to a second leg of a fiber optic bundle attached to the detector. 
   
   
       19 . The optical module of  claim 16 , further comprising a laser source. 
   
   
       20 . The optical module of  claim 19 , wherein the laser source is controlled by a laser valve control system to selectively open a valve separating a process chamber from a holding chamber on a disk.