Illuminator systems having light emitting diodes with UV activation
Inventors
SWIHART, Stephen • Thrush, Evan • McDonald, Kevin
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12669437-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
An imaging system including an illuminator apparatus or an epi-illumination apparatus that has LEDs for illuminations is provided for stain-free gel activation and fluorescent sample visualization. The illuminator apparatus includes a housing, a light source array disposed on at least one side surface of the housing and including at least one plurality of LEDs having each LED individually operable to output light of a predetermined color within a range of wavelengths, and a controller for controlling ranges of operational parameters of the at least one plurality of LEDs. The light emitted from the light source array incidents upon a sample having a gel that includes a product of UV light induced reaction between tryptophan and a haloalkane and the light emitted from the light source array includes ultraviolet (UV) light to excite a fluorescent response of the sample.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an illuminator apparatus for a gel in which a first light source array outputs first light of a first wavelength of 280 nm to achieve a maximum efficiency for driving reactions between tryptophan and haloalkanes of the gel, while a second light source array outputs second light of a second wavelength within a range of 200 nm to 780 nm and different from the first wavelength such that excitation of the gel is visualized. A controller controls operational parameters of the first and second LED arrays, including modulating intensity by adjusting optical power and adjusting wavelengths of at least one first plurality of LEDs to emit lights of a variety of different colors by selecting LEDs of certain wavelength(s).
The illuminator apparatus includes LED light emission cones disposed on first and second side surfaces of a housing, surrounding the LED arrays to collect light emitted by the LEDs and transmit the light through the housing. Light propagation is handled by a total internal reflection (TIR) layer disposed in a central space of the housing, configured such that light emitted by the first plurality of LEDs propagates through the TIR layer within space of the housing, together with a diffusing layer disposed on a top surface of the TIR layer and a plurality of vertical prism layers disposed on a top surface of the diffusing layer.
The TIR layer comprises a plate made of borosilicate glass or quartz with a light-scattering pattern formed on one side such that light incident on elements of the light-scattering pattern is not reflected and is instead emitted toward a sample when an incident angle of the incident light is greater than a TIR angle. The TIR layer is formed with a tapered shape and the light-scattering pattern is applied by laser etching, and a reflective layer is disposed on a bottom surface of the TIR layer. A clip and a retaining structure are disposed on inner side surfaces of the housing to surround an entire perimeter of the housing.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims directed to an LED-based illuminator apparatus and, for one claim, an epifluorescence (EPI) illuminator apparatus. Across the independent claims, the inventive features focus on dual-wavelength LED illumination for tryptophan–haloalkane reaction driving and visualization, controller-based wavelength/color selection and intensity modulation, and a specific light-guiding optical architecture with LED emission cones, a TIR plate having a laser-etched light-scattering pattern and tapered geometry, plus diffusing and prism layers and internal housing perimeter-retention elements.
Dual-wavelength LED gel illumination with 280 nm reaction driving and visualization
The illuminator apparatus includes a first light source array outputting first light of a first wavelength of 280 nm to achieve a maximum efficiency for driving reactions between tryptophan and haloalkanes of a gel, and a second light source array outputting second light of a second wavelength within a range of from 200 nm to 780 nm and different from the first wavelength such that excitation of the gel is visualized.
Controller modulating optical power intensity and adjusting LED wavelengths for different colors
A controller is configured to modulate an intensity of light output from the first light source array by adjusting optical power of the first light source array and is configured to adjust the wavelengths of at least one first plurality of LEDs to emit lights of a variety of different colors.
TIR-guided illumination optics with LED emission cones, diffusing layer, and vertical prism layers
At least one LED light emission cone disposed on the housing side surfaces surrounds the LED arrays to collect light emitted by the LEDs and transmit the light through the housing, with a total internal reflection (TIR) layer disposed in a central space of the housing configured such that light emitted by the at least one first plurality of LEDs propagates through the TIR layer within space of the housing, a diffusing layer disposed on a top surface of the TIR layer, and a plurality of vertical prism layers disposed on a top surface of the diffusing layer.
TIR plate material and laser-etched light-scattering pattern with incident-angle condition and tapered shape
The TIR layer comprises a plate made of borosilicate glass or quartz with a light-scattering pattern formed on one side such that light incident on elements of the light-scattering pattern is not reflected and is instead emitted toward a sample when an incident angle of the incident light is greater than a TIR angle, wherein the TIR layer is formed with a tapered shape, and wherein the light-scattering pattern is applied by laser etching.
Perimeter retaining elements and reflective layer for the housing/optics
A clip disposed on inner side surfaces of the housing surrounds an entire perimeter of the housing, and a retaining structure disposed on inner side surfaces of the housing surrounds the entire perimeter of the housing, with a reflective layer disposed on a bottom surface of the TIR layer.
Array configuration and interlacing of first and second LED arrays
The first light source array and the second light source array each is a two-dimensional array, and the first light source array and the second light source array interlace with each other.
Epifluorescence (EPI) illuminator apparatus configuration
The apparatus is an epifluorescence (EPI) illuminator apparatus.
The claims cover an LED-based illuminator apparatus using a 280 nm LED array to drive tryptophan–haloalkane reactions in a gel while a second LED array in the 200 nm to 780 nm range provides excitation for visualization. The claims further define controller-based selection of LED wavelength/color and modulation of intensity by adjusting optical power, together with a light-guiding optical system that propagates LED light through a central TIR layer with a borosilicate glass or quartz plate, a laser-etched light-scattering pattern satisfying an incident-angle condition, and tapered geometry, supplemented by diffusing and vertical prism layers, perimeter-retaining elements, and a reflective layer. Additional claim refinements include 2D array interlacing and, in one independent claim, an epifluorescence (EPI) illuminator apparatus context.
Stated Advantages
Achieves a maximum efficiency for driving reactions between tryptophan and haloalkanes of a gel using the first wavelength of 280 nm.
Enables excitation of the gel to be visualized using a second wavelength different from the first within 200 nm to 780 nm.
Allows modulation of light output intensity by adjusting optical power of the first light source array.
Enables adjustment of wavelengths to emit lights of a variety of different colors by controlling LEDs.
Documented Applications
Illuminator apparatus used to drive reactions in a gel between tryptophan and haloalkanes at 280 nm and to visualize excitation of the gel.
Epifluorescence (EPI) illuminator apparatus for excitation and visualization of a gel using the defined LED illumination system.
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