초록 ▼

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced lumines

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for measuring electrode induced luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising one or more electrodes within said wells, said apparatus comprising:(a) an electrical energy source; (b) a plate support; (c) electrical connections connected to said ele

1. An apparatus for measuring electrode induced luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising one or more electrodes within said wells, said apparatus comprising:(a) an electrical energy source; (b) a plate support; (c) electrical connections connected to said electrical energy source for electrically connecting said electrodes to said electrical energy source; and (d) a light detector positioned in a movable relationship relative to said support, wherein said apparatus is configured to: (i) sequentially align said light detector with each of a plurality of sections of said multi-well plate held in said support, each section comprising one or more wells of said plate; and (ii) sequentially measure, from an aligned section of said plate, electrode induced luminescence from the wells in said aligned section. 2. An apparatus for measuring electrode induced luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising one or more electrodes within said wells, said apparatus comprising:(a) an electrical energy source; (b) a plate support; (c) electrical connections connected to said electrical energy source, said connections configured in a movable relationship relative to said plate support and said apparatus being configured to: (i) move the electrical connections relative to said plate support so that the electrical connections sequentially connect said electrical energy source to each of a plurality of sections of a multi-well plate held in said support, each section comprising one or more wells of said plate; and (ii) simultaneously apply electrical energy to electrodes in said wells of a section when that section is held in contact with the electrical connections; and (d) a light detector positioned to measure electrode induced luminescence from the wells of said section in contact with said electrical connections. 3. A method for measuring electrode induced luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising one or more electrodes within said wells, said method comprising:(a) simultaneously providing electrical energy to the electrodes in the wells of a first section of said multi-well plate, said section comprising at least two wells, and measuring electrode induced luminescence generated in the wells of said section; and (b) simultaneously providing electrical energy to the electrodes in the wells of a second section of said multi-well plate, said second section comprising at least two wells not in said first section, and measuring electrode induced luminescence generated in the wells of said second section. 4. A method for measuring luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising:(a) forming an image of luminescence generated in a first section of said multi-well assay plate with a camera, said first section comprising at least two wells; and (b) forming an image of luminescence generated in a second section of said multi-well assay plate, said second section comprising at least two wells not in said first section. 5. A system for conducting an electrode induced luminescence assay comprising the apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a multi-well assay plate.6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said section comprises two or more wells.7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said section includes more than one well and less than 50% of said plurality of wells.8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said section includes more than one well and less than 20% of said plurality of wells.9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said section includes more than one well and less than 10% of said plurality of wells.10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said section comprises a 4×4 array of said wells.11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said multi-well plate comprises a 2×3 array of square sections.12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said section comprises one or more rows or one or more columns of said wells.13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said multi-well plate comprises an array of overlapping sections, each section comprising alternating members of a row and/or a column of said plurality of wells.14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light detector is positioned in a movable relationship with said plate support so as to allow alignment of the light detector with the wells of said section in contact with said electrical connections.15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light filter to select a specified emission of luminescence.16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrical energy source provides a voltage scan.17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus contacts a plurality of sections on said plate and selectively applies electrical energy to each of said sections sequentially.18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical connections contact said multi-well plate by pushing up on said plate bottom.19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support comprises said electrical connections.20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor to convey said multi-well plate to a detection location where electrode induced luminescence is induced and/or measured.21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor.22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a non-contact sensor having an infrared detector.23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises an imaging system to image said sections of said plate.24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said imaging system comprises a camera.25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said camera is an array of light detectors.26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said camera is a CCD array.27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said camera is a CMOS detector array.28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said imaging system measures and resolves luminescence from each of a plurality of binding domains within each well.29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said imaging system comprises a lens.30. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a computer image analyzer.31. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer having software for locating said wells, subtracting background light and/or eliminating cosmic rays induced artifacts.32. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a multi-well plate stacker.33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises one or more photodiodes.34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises an array of detectors configured so that one detector is aligned with one well during the measurement.35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said array of light detectors is configured to measure light from a row or column of wells simultaneously.36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said array of light detectors is a linear array of light detectors.37. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrical connections comprise a linear array of electrical connections.38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical connections comprise four working electrical connections and three counter electrical connections.39. The method of claim 3, further comprising measuring background luminescence prior to inducing luminescence from said wells and subsequently measuring induced luminescence.40. The method of claim 4, further comprising positioning said first section of said multi-well plate in alignment with said camera before imaging said first section and positioning said second section of said multi-well plate in alignment with said camera before imaging said second section.41. The method of claim 3, wherein said measuring is performed using an array of photodiodes.42. The method of claim 3, further comprising positioning said multi-well plate so that emitted luminescence from a first row or column of wells may be measured by a light detector and further positioning said multi-well plate so that a second row or column of wells may be measured by said light detector.43. The method of claim 3, comprising carrying said multi-well plate to a detection position via an apparatus opening, forming a light tight enclosure by closing said opening, measuring emitted luminescence, opening said opening and subsequently removing said multi-well plate.44. The method of claim 3, further comprising adding one or more luminescence reagents to one or more of said wells.45. The method of claim 44, wherein said one or more luminescence reagents is selected from the group of: (a) at least one luminescent label; (b) at least one electrochemiluminescence coreactant; (c) one or more binding reagents; (d) a pH buffer; and (e) enzymes.46. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light detector is held fixed and said support moves relative to said light detector.47. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to hold said plate onto said plate support during said measuring.48. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises an imaging system.49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said electrical connections provide electrical energy to said plurality of wells in sections.50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said source of electrical energy provides electrical energy to said plurality of wells in sections.51. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said light detector comprises an imaging system to image said sections of said multi-well assay plate.52. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus measures luminescence from said multi-well plate row by row or column by column.53. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus takes six square images of said multi-well plate.54. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises an array of light detectors.55. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light detector comprises an array of light detectors and wherein said apparatus measures and/or induces said luminescence row by row or column by column.56. A method for measuring electrode induced luminescence from a multi-well assay plate having a plurality of wells comprising electrodes, said method comprising:(a) simultaneously providing electrical energy to a first electrode in a first well of said multi-well plate and a first electrode in a second well of said multi-well plate, and measuring electrode induced luminescence generated at said first electrodes in said first and second wells; and (b) simultaneously providing electrical energy to a second electrode in said first well and a second electrode in said second well and measuring electrode induced luminescence generated at said second electrodes in said first and second wells. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein said measuring is performed using an array of photodiodes.58. The method of claim 56, wherein said measuring is performed using an imaging system.59. The method of claim 56, further comprising adding one or more luminescence reagents to one or more of said wells.60. The method of claim 59, wherein said one or more luminescence reagents is selected from the group of: (a) at least one luminescent label; (b) at least one electrochemiluminescence coreactant; (c) one or more binding reagents; (d) a pH buffer; and (e) enzymes.