Compact Multi-Wavelength Optical Reading and Method of Acquiring Optical Data on Clustered Assay Samples Using Differing-Wavelength Light Sources

Abstract

An optical reader having an array of differing-color light sources and a controller for controlling the light sources and acquisition of optical data. The light sources are arranged, and the controller is configured, to allow rapid acquisition of optical data regarding individual sample wells of a cluster of such wells. In some embodiments, multiple ones of the differing-color light sources are illuminated simultaneously for acquiring optical data on a corresponding number of sample wells. Depending on the configuration of the array and number of differing-color light sources illuminated simultaneously, the optical reader can acquire optical data for several wavelengths in a fraction of the time of conventional optical readers. Other embodiments include one or more non-contact temperature sensors for acquiring temperature data substantially simultaneously with the optical data. The temperature data can be used, for example, to adjust the optical data or warn a user of out-of-specification temperature conditions.

1 . An optical reader for acquiring optical data corresponding to each of a plurality of sample wells of a cluster of sample wells, the optical reader comprising:
 at least one light source for illuminating at least one of the plurality of sample wells during a reading operation;   a detector operatively configured and located to detect light from said at least one light source;   a reading region located between said at least one light source and said detector during operation of the optical reader; and   at least one non-contact temperature sensor for sensing, during operation, temperature of the cluster at a plurality of locations within the cluster.   
     
     
         2 . An optical reader according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first array of light sources for illuminating ones of the plurality of sample wells; and   a second array of non-contact temperature sensors distributed among said first array of light sources, said second array of non-contact temperature sensors for acquiring temperature data in conjunction with acquisition of optical data using said first array of light sources.   
     
     
         3 . An optical reader according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one non-contact temperature sensor is an infrared temperature sensor integrated with said at least one light source. 
     
     
         4 . An optical reader according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical reader is configured to read a microplate having a pair of spaced edges and a central region, said at least one non-contact temperature sensor locatable during use to enable the optical reader to acquire multiple temperature readings at differing points proximate each of the pair of spaced edges and in the central region. 
     
     
         5 . A method of acquiring and processing optical data, comprising:
 acquiring optical data regarding a plurality of samples located in a corresponding plurality of sample wells of a cluster of sample wells;   acquiring, substantially simultaneously with said acquiring of the optical data, temperature data for the cluster; and   automatically taking an action as a function of the temperature data.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said acquiring of the optical data includes acquiring the optical data using an array of light sources so as to acquire optical data simultaneously from a plurality of the sample wells. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said acquiring of the optical data includes acquiring the optical data using a plurality of differing-wavelength light sources so as to acquire optical data for a plurality of differing wavelength tests simultaneously from a plurality of the sample wells. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said acquiring of the temperature data includes acquiring temperature data using an array of non-contact temperature sensors. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said acquiring of the temperature data includes acquiring temperature data for all of the plurality of sample wells. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said adjusting of the optical data includes adjusting optical data to account for well-to-well temperature variation at the time of said acquiring of the optical data. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said automatic taking of the action as a function of the temperature data includes automatically adjusting the optical data as a function of the temperature data. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said automatic taking of the action as a function of the temperature data includes automatically signaling a user of the occurrence of an out-of-specification temperature event.