JP2001083090A - Excitation light source for micro titer plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and uniformly apply excitation light to a sample being accommodated in a well by equipping a plurality of LED light sources on a substrate corresponding to the positions of a plurality of wells being formed, at least, at a micro titer plate. SOLUTION: An excitation light source 20 is provided with 96 LED light sources 27 on a substrate 26 corresponding to a well 24 of a micro titer plate 25 with 96 wells 24, and each light source 27 is composed so that it can independently emits light with a desired quantity of light by controlling a drive voltage being supplied to a corresponding driver circuit, thus applying excitation light to a sample being accommodated in each well with efficient and uniform light quantity. Each LED light source 27 can excite a fluorescent body, more efficiently and with low costs, by light with wavelength suited for exciting a fluorescent substance for labeling a sample being accommodated in each well by operating a selection switch in a driver circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an excitation light source for a microtiter plate, and more particularly, to a method for safely and inexpensively labeling a large number of wells of a microtiter plate with a fluorescent substance. The present invention relates to an excitation light source for a microtiter plate that can efficiently and uniformly irradiate a contained sample with excitation light to generate a fluorescence image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fluorescence detection system using a fluorescent substance as a labeling substance is known. According to this fluorescence detection system, by reading a fluorescence image, it is possible to perform gene sequence, gene expression level, protein separation and identification, or molecular weight and property evaluation. D
After adding a fluorescent dye to the solution containing the NA fragment, a plurality of DNA fragments are subjected to electrophoresis on a gel support, or a plurality of DNA fragments are placed on a gel support containing a fluorescent dye.
The A fragment is electrophoresed, or a plurality of DNA fragments are electrophoresed on a gel support, and then the gel support is immersed in a solution containing a fluorescent dye. By labeling, exciting a fluorescent dye with excitation light, and detecting the generated fluorescence, an image is generated, and the distribution of DNA on the gel support is detected. After electrophoresis on a support, the DNA is denaturated and then
A probe prepared by transferring at least a portion of a denatured DNA fragment onto a transfer support such as nitrocellulose by Southern blotting, and labeling DNA or RNA complementary to the target DNA with a fluorescent dye D
An image is generated by hybridizing with an NA fragment, selectively labeling only a DNA fragment complementary to a probe DNA or a probe RNA, exciting a fluorescent dye with excitation light, and detecting generated fluorescence. Then, the distribution of the target DNA on the transcription support can be detected. Further, a DNA probe complementary to the DNA containing the target gene labeled with the labeling substance is prepared, hybridized with the DNA on the transcription support, and the enzyme is reacted with the complementary DNA labeled with the labeling substance. After binding, the fluorescent substance is brought into contact with a fluorescent substrate, the fluorescent substrate is changed into a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, and the generated fluorescent substance is excited by excitation light, and the generated fluorescence is detected.
An image can be generated to detect the distribution of the target DNA on the transfer support. This fluorescence detection system has an advantage that a gene sequence or the like can be easily detected without using a radioactive substance.

[0003] An analysis plate called a microtiter plate having a large number of wells capable of accommodating a sample solution is also known. A sample solution labeled with a fluorescent substance is accommodated in a well, and light is applied to the sample solution. And irradiate
It is configured to excite a fluorescent substance, detect fluorescence, and perform analysis.

[0004]

In such a fluorescence detection system, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is used.
2. Description of the Related Art An image generation device that generates a fluorescent image is known. In this case, most of the substances emit fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet rays.
It is common to use an ultraviolet light source that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 0 nm.

However, 250 nm to 400 n
Since ultraviolet light having a wavelength of m is harmful to the human body, when an ultraviolet light source is used as the excitation light source, it is necessary to prevent the user from being exposed to the ultraviolet light.
For this purpose, measures such as making the user wear ultraviolet protective glasses are required, and there is a problem that the cost is inevitably increased. Further, since the ultraviolet light source consumes a large amount of power, when an ultraviolet light source is used as the excitation light source, this also causes a cost increase, and there is a problem that downsizing is difficult.

Further, in the case of a microtiter plate, it is required to efficiently and uniformly irradiate a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance contained in each well with excitation light, but an ultraviolet light source is used. In some cases, it has been almost impossible to efficiently and uniformly irradiate the sample in each well of a microtiter plate having a large number of wells of 96 to 384 with excitation light.

Therefore, the present invention efficiently and uniformly irradiates a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance and accommodated in a large number of wells of a microtiter plate efficiently and uniformly at low cost. It is another object of the present invention to provide a microtiter plate excitation light source capable of generating a fluorescent image.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is as follows.
At least a plurality of LEDs are provided on the substrate corresponding to the positions of the plurality of wells formed in the microtiter plate.
This is achieved by a microtiter plate excitation light source with a light source.

According to the present invention, the excitation light source for the microtiter plate includes a plurality of LED light sources on the substrate at least corresponding to the positions of the plurality of wells formed in the microtiter plate. It becomes possible to efficiently and uniformly irradiate the sample contained in the well of the microtiter plate with excitation light.
Further, according to the present invention, since the LED light source is used as the excitation light source, as in the case where an ultraviolet light source is used as the excitation light source, measures are taken to prevent the user from being exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Since there is no need and power consumption is low, cost can be reduced. Further, according to the present invention, since the LED light source is used as the excitation light source, the excitation light source can be downsized.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of LED light sources are regularly arranged on a substrate,
Independently, the light amount can be controlled. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the excitation light source for the microtiter plate includes at least a plurality of LEDs regularly arranged on the substrate at positions corresponding to a plurality of wells formed in the microtiter plate. Light source, each L
Since the ED light source is configured so that the amount of light can be controlled independently, it is possible to more efficiently and uniformly irradiate the excitation light to the sample contained in the well of the microtiter plate. Become.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of LED light sources includes a plurality of LEDs having different emission wavelengths, and the plurality of LEDs are configured to be selectively lighted.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of LED light sources includes a plurality of LEDs having different emission wavelengths, and the plurality of LEDs are configured to be selectively lighted. The fluorescent substance can be excited with light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well of the titer plate, and is extremely efficient, and at a low cost, It becomes possible to improve the detection sensitivity.

[0013] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of LEDs include a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED. In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the number of the plurality of LED light sources is equal to or more than the number of wells formed on the microtiter plate to be irradiated with the excitation light, and the plurality of LED light sources are selectively turned on. It is configured to be possible.

As the microtiter plate, those having 96 wells and those having 384 wells are conventionally known. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, for example, 1536 LED light sources are used. Irradiating excitation light uniformly on a sample contained in a well of a microtiter plate having 96 wells by regularly arranging on a substrate and selectively lighting 1536 LED light sources. In addition, it becomes possible to uniformly irradiate the sample accommodated in the well of the microtiter plate having 384 wells with excitation light.

[0015] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, light having a wavelength other than the vicinity of the excitation light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources is cut off above the plurality of LED light sources, and the vicinity of the excitation light is cut off. It has a filter that transmits light of a wavelength.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well of the microtiter plate is excited only by light having a wavelength near the excitation light, The substance can be excited more efficiently.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, a diffusion plate for diffusing light is provided above the filter. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to more uniformly irradiate a sample contained in a well of a microtiter plate with excitation light.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image generation system including an excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the image generation system includes a cooled CCD camera 1, a dark box 2, and a personal computer 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer 3 includes a CRT 4 and a keyboard 5.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the cooled CCD camera 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooled CCD camera 1
A CCD 6, a heat transfer plate 7 made of metal such as aluminum, a Peltier element 8 for cooling the CCD 6, a shutter 9 arranged on the front of the CCD 6,
An A / D converter 10 for converting the analog image data generated by D6 into digital image data, and an A / D converter 10
An image data buffer 11 for temporarily storing image data digitized by the digital camera 1 and a camera control circuit 12 for controlling the operation of the cooled CCD camera 1 are provided. An opening formed between the dark box 2 and the dark box 2 is closed by a glass plate 15, and a radiating fin 1 for radiating heat generated by the Peltier element 8 is provided around the cooled CCD camera 1.
6 are formed over almost the entire surface in the longitudinal direction.

A camera lens 17 having a lens focus adjusting function is mounted in the dark box 2 on the front surface of the glass plate 15.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the dark box 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, an excitation light source 20 that emits excitation light is provided in the dark box 2. The excitation light source 20 includes a filter 21 that is detachably provided and a diffusion plate that is provided on the upper surface of the filter 21. 23, and through the diffusion plate 23,
The excitation light illuminates the image carrier (not shown) mounted thereon, thereby ensuring that the image carrier is evenly illuminated. The filter 21 has a property of cutting light harmful to excitation of the fluorescent substance other than the wavelength near the excitation light and transmitting only light having a wavelength near the excitation light.
On the front surface of the camera lens 17, a filter 22 that cuts off light having a wavelength near the excitation light is detachably provided.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic perspective view of the excitation light source 20 and the microtiter plate, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a microtiter plate. 4 and 5, for simplicity, the filter 2
1 and the diffusion plate 23 are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the excitation light source 20 includes 96 LED light sources 27 at positions on the substrate 26 corresponding to the wells 24 of the microtiter plate 25 having 96 wells 24. I have. 96 wells 24 are regularly formed in the microtiter plate 25, so that the LED light sources 27 are also regularly provided on the substrate 26. In this embodiment, the LED light source 27 has an emission wavelength center of 450 n.
A blue LED emitting m excitation light is used.

Each of the LED light sources 27 has a driver circuit (not shown), and can independently emit light with a desired light quantity by controlling a drive voltage supplied to the driver circuit. Is configured.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram around the personal computer 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer 3 includes the cooled CCD camera 1
, An image data transfer unit 31 for reading out image data generated by the cooled CCD camera 1 from the image data buffer 11, an image data storage unit 32 for storing image data, and an image data storage unit 32. Image processing device 3 that performs image processing on the processed image data
3 and an image display means 34 for displaying a visible image on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data stored in the image data storage means 32. The 96 LED light sources 27 constituting the excitation light source 20 are individually controlled by a light source control unit 35, and an instruction signal is input to the light source control unit 35 from the keyboard 5 via the CPU 30. It is configured. The CPU 30 is configured to output various signals to the camera control circuit 12 of the cooled CCD camera 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram around the CCD 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the CCD 6 includes a photoelectric sensor 40 and an output amplifier 42, and the electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric sensor 40 passes through a charge transfer path 44,
It is configured to be sent to the output amplifier 42 and output. The transfer of charges from the charge transfer path 44 is controlled by the read control circuit 46, and the read control circuit 46
Are controlled by the camera control circuit 12.

The image generation system according to the present embodiment comprises:
Image carrier carrying image of fluorescent substance (not shown)
Then, the excitation light is irradiated from the excitation light source 20 and the fluorescence generated from the image carrier is passed through the camera lens 17 to the cooled CCD.
The fluorescent image is generated by detecting the image by the CCD 6 of the camera 1. Here, the image carrier carries an image of a fluorescent substance means that the image carrier carries an image of a sample labeled with a fluorescent dye, and that the enzyme is combined with the labeled sample before the enzyme is fluoresced. Contacting with a substrate to change the fluorescent substrate into a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescence, and carrying an image of the obtained fluorescent substance.

The image generating system configured as described above generates an image of a sample that is labeled with a fluorescent substance and that is contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 as described below.

First, a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance is accommodated in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25. Next, the filter 21 having a property of cutting light harmful to the excitation of the fluorescent substance other than the wavelength near the excitation light and transmitting only light having a wavelength near the excitation light is used as the excitation light source 2.
The lens is set between 0 and the diffusion plate 23, and the lens is focused by the user using the camera lens 17.

Thereafter, the microtiter plate 25 is placed on the diffusion plate 23, and the dark box 2 is closed.

Next, the user selects the keyboard 5
When the exposure start signal is input to the CPU 30, the CPU 30 outputs a light source control signal to the light source control unit 35. When the light source control unit 35 receives the light source control signal, the CPU 30 outputs a selection signal to the driver circuit of each LED light source 27. Is output. As a result, each LE
The D light source 27 is turned on and the microtiter plate 25 is turned on.
, An excitation light is emitted.

At the same time, the exposure start signal is input to the camera control circuit 12 of the cooled CCD camera 1 via the CPU 30, and the camera control circuit 12 opens the shutter 9 to start the exposure of the CCD 6.

Excitation light emitted from each LED light source 27 is cut by the filter 21 so that wavelength components other than light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the excitation light are cut off.
The light is uniform. As a result, the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 is irradiated with light having a wavelength near the excitation light suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used to label the sample.
The fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained therein is uniformly excited to emit fluorescence.

Well 2 of microtiter plate 25
The fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the sample 4 enters the photoelectric surface of the CCD 6 of the cooled CCD camera 1 via the filter 22 and the camera lens 17, and an image is formed on the photoelectric surface. Form. The photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 receives the light of the image thus formed on the photoelectric surface and accumulates the light in the form of electric charges. Since light having a wavelength near the excitation light is cut off by the filter 22, only the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 is reduced.
The light is received by the photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6.

After a predetermined exposure time has elapsed, the CPU 30
Outputs an exposure completion signal to the camera control circuit 12 of the cooled CCD camera 1. The camera control circuit 12 includes a CPU 30
When the exposure completion signal is received from the CPU, the read control circuit 46 is driven, and the analog image data accumulated in the form of electric charges by the photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 is transferred through the electric charge transfer path 44.
The signal is sent to the output amplifier 42 and further transferred to the A / D converter 10, digitized, and temporarily stored in the image data buffer 11.

At the same time as outputting the exposure completion signal to the camera control circuit 12, the CPU 30
1 to output a data transfer signal to read image data from the image data buffer 11 of the cooled CCD camera 1.
The image data is stored in the image data storage unit 32.

Thereafter, when the user inputs an image generation signal to the keyboard 5, the image display means 34 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage means 32 and, if necessary, the image processing device 33 causes the image data to be read. The image processing is performed, and the microtiter plate 2 is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data on which the image processing is performed.
The fluorescent image of the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well 24 of the fifth is displayed.

Similarly, when generating a fluorescent image of a fluorescent substance labeling a sample contained in a gel support (not shown) or a transfer support (not shown), each LED
An excitation light having a wavelength suitable for exciting a fluorescent substance labeling a sample contained in the gel support or the transfer support is emitted from the light source 27 toward the gel support or the transfer support. By 21, wavelength components other than light having a wavelength near the excitation light are cut off, and furthermore, the light is made uniform by the diffusion plate 23, which is suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used to label the sample. The fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the gel support or the transfer support is uniformly excited by light having a wavelength near the excitation light to emit fluorescence.

The fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the gel support or the transfer support is derived from the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25. Similarly to the emitted fluorescence, the image is received by the photoelectric sensor 40 of the CCD 6 to generate image data, and a fluorescent image is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the generated image data.

According to this embodiment, the excitation light source 20
Microtiter plate 25 with 6 wells 24
96 L at a position on the substrate 26 corresponding to the well 24 of FIG.
The ED light source 27 is provided, and each LED light source 27 is configured to be able to independently emit light with a desired light amount by controlling a drive voltage supplied to a corresponding driver circuit. , It is possible to efficiently and irradiate the sample contained in each well with excitation light with a uniform light amount, and it is possible to make the excitation intensity for the sample contained in each well uniform. Become.

Further, according to this embodiment, since the LED light source 27 is used as the excitation light source, it is possible to prevent the user from being exposed to ultraviolet rays as in the case of using the ultraviolet light source as the excitation light source. It is not necessary to take the above measures, and the power consumption is low, so that the cost can be reduced, and further, the excitation light source can be downsized.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an LED light source 27 constituting an excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, each of the LED light sources 27 includes a red LED 50, a green LED 51, and a blue LED
An ED 52 is provided, and a red LED 50, a green LED 51, or a blue LED 52 can be selectively turned on by operating a switch (not shown) of a driver circuit. Each LED light source 27 is provided at a position on the substrate 26 corresponding to the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 having 96 wells 24 as in the above embodiment.

The image generating system provided with the excitation light source according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is provided with a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance and contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 as follows. Generate an image of.

First, a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance is accommodated in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25. Next, the red L constituting each LED light source 27
Of the ED 50, the green LED 51 and the blue LED 52, light harmful to the excitation of the fluorescent substance other than the wavelength near the excitation light emitted from the LED suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used to label the sample is cut. A filter 21 having a property of transmitting only light having a wavelength near the excitation light is selected and set between the excitation light source 20 and the diffusion plate 23.

Next, after the user performs lens focusing using the camera lens 17, the microtiter plate 25 is placed on the diffusion plate 23, and the dark box 2 is closed.

Next, the user selects the keyboard 5
In addition, an exposure start signal is input, and among the red LED 50, green LED 51, and blue LED 52 constituting each LED light source 27, an LED suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used for labeling the sample is input. Then, C
The PU 30 outputs a light source control signal to the light source control unit 35, and the light source control unit 35
Red LED 50 and green LE constituting each LED light source 27
A selection signal is output to the driver circuit of each LED light source 27 so that the LED suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used for labeling the sample among the D51 and the blue LED 52 is turned on.

As a result, of the red LED 50, green LED 51 and blue LED 52 constituting each LED light source 27, a desired LED is turned on, and the fluorescent substance used for labeling the sample is directed toward the microtiter plate 25. Excitation light of a wavelength suitable for excitation is emitted.

At the same time, the exposure start signal is input to the camera control circuit 12 of the cooled CCD camera 1 via the CPU 30, and the camera control circuit 12 opens the shutter 9 and starts the exposure of the CCD 6.

Red LED 5 constituting each LED light source 27
0, the excitation light emitted from the green LED 51 or the blue LED 52 is cut off by the filter 21 at wavelength components other than light having a wavelength near the excitation light.
Thus, the light is made uniform. As a result, the fluorescent substance labeling the sample housed in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 is irradiated with light having a wavelength near the excitation light suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance used to label the sample. , Are uniformly excited and emit fluorescence.

Thereafter, in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the CCD
The photoelectric image sensor 40 generates analog image data of a fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25, digitizes the analog image data, and stores the digitized image data in the image data storage unit 32.

After that, when the user inputs an image generation signal to the keyboard 5, the image display means 34 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage means 32, and, if necessary, the image processing means 33. The image processing is performed, and the microtiter plate 2 is displayed on the screen of the CRT 4 based on the image data on which the image processing is performed.
The fluorescent image of the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in the well 24 of the fifth is displayed.

According to the present embodiment, the excitation light source 20
Microtiter plate 25 with 6 wells 24
96 L at a position on the substrate 26 corresponding to the well 24 of FIG.
The ED light source 27 is provided, and each LED light source 27 is configured to be able to independently emit light with a desired light amount by controlling a drive voltage supplied to a corresponding driver circuit. , It is possible to efficiently and irradiate the sample contained in each well with excitation light with a uniform light amount, and it is possible to make the excitation intensity for the sample contained in each well uniform. Become.

According to the present embodiment, each LED light source 27 is provided with a switch (not shown) of a driver circuit.
Is operated, the red LED 50, the green LED 51, and the blue LED
52, the desired LED is configured to be turned on, so that the fluorescent substance is excited by light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the fluorescent substance labeling the sample contained in each well. It is possible to improve the detection sensitivity more efficiently and at low cost.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, which are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing.

For example, in the above embodiment, the excitation light source 20 has 96 LED light sources 27 corresponding to the microtiter plate 25 having 96 wells 24. Light source 27
Is not limited to 96, and 384 LED light sources 27 may be provided corresponding to the microtiter plate 25 having 384 wells 24. Further, the number of the LED light sources 27 included in the excitation light source 20 is changed to the number of the wells 24 formed in the microtiter plate 25.
It is not necessary to match the number of
The light sources 27 may be provided regularly on the substrate 26, and the number of LED light sources 27 included in the excitation light source 20 may be equal to or greater than the number of wells 24 formed in the microtiter plate 25. For example, the excitation light source 20 comprises 1536 regularly arranged LED light sources 27,
Is selectively lit, so that 96 wells 24
It is also possible to excite a fluorescent substance labeling a sample contained in the well 24 of the microtiter plate 25 having the microtiter plate 25 having the 384 or 384 wells.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, each LED light source 27 is constituted by a blue LED, but instead of the blue LED, each LED light source 27 is replaced by a red LED or a green LED. It can also be constituted by LEDs.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, each LED light source 27 has a red LED 50, a green LED
51 and a blue LED.
The ED light source 27 is provided with a red LED 50 and a green LED 51.
Or the red LED 50 and the blue LED 5
2, or a green LED 51 and a blue LED
52 can also be used.

[0060]

According to the present invention, a sample labeled with a fluorescent substance safely and at low cost can be efficiently applied to a sample contained in a large number of wells of a microtiter plate.
In addition, it is possible to provide a microtiter plate excitation light source capable of uniformly irradiating excitation light to generate a fluorescence image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an image generation system including an excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a cooled CCD camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a dark box.

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic perspective view of an excitation light source and a microtiter plate.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of an excitation light source and a microtiter plate.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram around a personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram around a CCD.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an LE constituting an excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic plan view of D light source.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling CCD camera 2 Dark box 3 Personal computer 4 CRT 5 Keyboard 6 CCD 7 Heat transfer plate 8 Peltier element 9 Shutter 10 A / D converter 11 Image data buffer 12 Camera control circuit 15 Glass plate 16 Heat radiation fin 17 Camera lens 20 Excitation light source Reference Signs List 21 filter 22 filter 23 diffuser 24 well 25 microtiter plate 26 substrate 27 LED light source 30 CPU 31 image data transfer means 32 image data storage means 33 image processing means 34 image display means 35 light source control means 36 ROM 40 photoelectric sensor 42 output amplifier 44 Charge transfer path 46 Read control circuit 50 Red LED 51 Green LED 52 Blue LED

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An excitation light source for a microtiter plate, comprising a plurality of LED light sources on a substrate at least corresponding to positions of a plurality of wells formed on the microtiter plate. 2. The microtiter plate excitation according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED light sources are regularly arranged on a substrate, and are configured to be capable of independently controlling the light amount. light source. 3. Each of the plurality of LED light sources includes a plurality of LEDs having different emission wavelengths, and the plurality of LEDs include:
The excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to claim 1, wherein the excitation light source is selectively lit. 4. The excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of LEDs include a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED. 5. The number of the plurality of LED light sources is equal to or more than the number of wells formed on a microtiter plate to be irradiated with excitation light, and the plurality of LED light sources are selectively lit. The excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: 6. A filter that cuts light having a wavelength other than near the excitation light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources and transmits light having a wavelength near the excitation light, above the plurality of LED light sources. The excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the excitation light source is provided. 7. The excitation light source for a microtiter plate according to claim 6, further comprising a diffusion plate for diffusing light above the filter.