System for distinguishing fluorescent molecule groups by time resolved fluorescence measurement
US6140048A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 31, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/6408
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
System and method for distinguishing at least two types of molecule groups that are bound to analyte molecules and which have different fluorescent characteristics. The system performs differentiation using time-resolved fluorescence measurement and includes a light source that exposes a first sample volume to light that is suitable for exciting the at least two types of molecule groups to fluorescence. The system also includes a detector for detecting fluorescence radiation emitted from a second sample volume that at least partially overlaps the first sample volume, and a control unit that is designed to activate the light source for a time interval T.sub.1 and, after time interval T.sub.2 has passed, to activate the detector for a time interval T.sub.3. According to this system, the illumination and detection of emitted fluorescence radiation is performed at least 1,000 times per millisecond, the detector signals recorded with a recording unit during time interval T.sub.3 are evaluated using an evaluation unit, and the signal over time during time interval T.sub.3 is used to determine which of the at least two groups of molecules is contained in the overlapping sample volume.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.