Method, apparatus and flow cell for high-sensitivity detection of fluorescent molecules
US6388746B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/6482
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for high-sensitivity fluorescence detection wherein (I) a sample comprising fluorescent molecules is made to flow through a channel structure (1) comprising a constricted region (2) with a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot and with extremely thin, transparent walls, (II) a laser beam (3) is focused inside the constricted (2) and thus exciting molecules passing through the constricted region (2), and (III) the fluorescence emitted due to excitation is detected. This enables direct determination of the concentration of a sample without use of internal or external standards. A method for the production of a flow cell for use in said method or apparatus, wherein a part of a channel structure (1) is heated until its melting point is reached, followed by pulling of the structure to lengthen the melted region and make it thinner until it has a dimension corresponding to the size of a tightly focused laser spot at the diffraction limit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.