Diagnostic apparatus
Inventors
Bresolin, Stefano • Calderwood, David A. • Heineck, Tobias M. • Newcomb, David • Paul, Chris • Pollard, Jasper N. • Rodriguez, Rodolfo R. • Young, Demetris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10359614-B2
Publication Date
2019-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
An automated microscope apparatus comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in the housing configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in the outer housing; a microscope assembly in the housing (preferably in the first compartment); a microprocessor in the housing (preferably in the second compartment), and (optionally but preferably) a heat sink mounted on the housing external wall, preferably adjacent the second compartment, with the microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with the microscope assembly. Systems and methods employing the same are also described, along with component parts thereof.
Core Innovation
An automated portable microscope apparatus is described for field use. The microscope assembly includes a support frame and a subframe, with a plurality of vibration isolators mounted between the support frame and the subframe to vibrationally isolate the subframe from the support frame. The apparatus also includes an XYZ stage configured to support a sample cartridge and mounted at a first mounting position on the subframe.
An optical unit is mounted on the subframe at a second mounting position, spaced apart from the first mounting position. The optical unit is configured to support microscope optical components, and the XYZ stage is interconnected with the subframe through an XYZ drive. The XYZ drive is rigidly mounted to the subframe and includes a plurality of linear rails mounted to the subframe and the XYZ stage.
The optical imaging arrangement uses an epifluorescent optical path with a light source, beam splitter, filters, dichroic mirror, and a camera with an objective lens. The imaging is coupled to the XYZ stage that engages removable sample cartridges and is described as supporting imaging across multiple sample chambers.
The disclosure also describes autofocus and analysis using exogenous targets such as fluorescent microbeads to generate focus scores and enable surface interpolation for imaging speed and robustness. The apparatus is further described with portable and barn environmental ruggedization concepts and with retention and locking of the sample cartridge on the XYZ stage, together with control functionality for the imaging and drive assembly.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set includes one independent claim (clm-00001). It defines an automated portable microscope assembly having vibration isolation between a support frame and a subframe, an XYZ stage for a removable sample cartridge at a first mounting position, an optical unit at a second spaced mounting position, and an XYZ drive rigidly mounted to the subframe with linear rails interconnecting the XYZ stage and subframe. Dependent claims further add specific vibration-isolator geometry, cartridge retention and Z-plane locking structure, defined optical components and paths, wavelength-filtering filters, and a controller that controls the optical components and the XYZ drive assembly.
Vibration-isolated subframe with support frame and subframe
A support frame and a subframe with a plurality of vibration isolators mounted between the support frame and the subframe such that the plurality of vibration isolators are configured to vibrationally isolate the subframe from the support frame.
XYZ stage for sample cartridge on subframe
An XYZ stage configured to support a sample cartridge, wherein the XYZ stage is mounted at a first mounting position on the subframe.
Spaced mounting positions for optical unit and XYZ stage
An optical unit mounted on the subframe at a second mounting position, configured to support microscope optical components, wherein the first mounting position is spaced apart from the second mounting position.
Rigidly mounted XYZ drive with linear rails
An XYZ drive interconnecting the XYZ stage to the subframe, wherein the XYZ drive is rigidly mounted to the subframe, and wherein the XYZ drive comprises a plurality of linear rails mounted to the subframe and the XYZ stage.
Annular vibration isolators
The microscope assembly further includes vibration isolators that are annular in shape.
Sample cartridge slidably received and Z-plane locked
The microscope assembly describes an XYZ stage configured to slidably receive a sample cartridge via guide members and to removably lock the cartridge in place in the Z plane using a locking member that exerts pressure through the cartridge against a guide member.
Optical imaging components routing light to a camera
The optical components are configured to direct illumination onto a sample cartridge and to route emitted or fluoresced light from the cartridge to the camera.
Wavelength-filtering filters in optical paths
Filters positioned between the camera and beam splitter and between the light source and beam splitter filter light directed to the sample cartridge and to the camera, respectively.
Controller controlling optical components and XYZ drive
A controller configured to control one or more of the optical components and the XYZ drive assembly.
Across the independent claim and its dependent refinements, the key inventive structure is the combination of a vibration-isolated subframe with an XYZ stage for a removable sample cartridge at one subframe mounting position, an optical unit at a different spaced mounting position, and a rigidly mounted XYZ drive with linear rails, further refined by specific cartridge locking structure, optical-component routing, wavelength-filtering, and controller-based control of the optical components and XYZ drive assembly.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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