WO2022191611A1

WO2022191611A1 - Optical signal detection device

Info

Publication number: WO2022191611A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/003312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Won Kim; Jin Seok Noh; Soon Joo Hwang; Dong Woo Kang; Sang Min Kim; Seung Min Baik
Original assignee: Seegene, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-03-11
Filing date: 2022-03-08
Publication date: 2022-09-15
Also published as: KR20230131936A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an optical signal detection device for detecting a nucleic acid reaction.

Description

OPTICAL SIGNAL DETECTION DEVICE

Nucleic acid amplification reaction well known as polynucleotide chain reaction (PCR) includes repeated cycles of double-stranded DNA denaturation, annealing of the oligonucleotide primers to DNA templates, and extension/elongation of the primers with the DNA polymerase (Mullis et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 4,683,195, 4,683,202, and 4,800,159; Saiki et al., (1985) Science 230, 1350-1354). DNA denaturation is performed at about 95 ℃, and annealing and primer elongation are performed at a lower temperature ranging from 55 ℃ to 75 ℃.

The light source irradiates excitation light to the samples, and the fluorescent material contained therein, excited by the excitation light, emits fluorescence. A detector is configured to detect the emission light emitted from the fluorescent material and analyzes the amplification reaction. In such an optical signal detection-type device, it is necessary to accurately provide excitation light to the sample and accurately provide emission light to the detector. To excite only a specific optical marker to be detected among the optical markers included in the sample, a light source-side filter is disposed in the excitation light path between the light source and the sample to selectively transmit only light in a specific wavelength range among the light irradiated from the light source.

Similarly, to detect the emission light from the excited specific optical marker, a detector-side filter is disposed in the emission light path between the sample and the detector to selectively transmit the emission light from the specific optical marker among the light irradiated from the sample.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce noise and to precisely detect fluorescence by placing filters corresponding to the target optical marker in the excitation light path and the emission light path, respectively. Meanwhile, the same number of light source-side filters and detector-side filters as the number of detection channels are required to detect different optical markers in the sample. Thus, to detect two or more different optical markers, a filter set including at least two or more filters corresponding to the number of detection channels need to be placed for each of one light source and one detector, and the plurality of filters in the filter set are alternately moved while performing filtering per channel. An optical signal detection device includes a driving device for alternately moving the filters in each of the light source-side filter set and the detector-side filter set.

Typically, such a driving device includes a motor for providing power and a power transfer means for transferring the power of the motor to a target to be moved.

The power transfer means may come in a variety of types depending on driving types. In the structure of an optical signal detection device, the type of the power transfer means is limited, and a power transfer means for driving the filter sets is needed considering the characteristics of each of excitation light and emission light and the respective paths thereof. Therefore, a need exists for development of an optical signal detection device including a driving device capable of addressing such drawbacks.

In the foregoing background, the inventors have developed a technology capable of reducing vibration and enhancing quietness while keeping the light path stable when detecting an optical signal in a manner to selectively filter the excitation light irradiated to each sample area and the emission light from each sample area by moving a plurality of filters in an optical signal detection device in which a allocated individual light source unit and a allocated individual detection unit are assigned to each of the plurality of sample areas.

As a result, the inventors proved that it is possible to reduce vibration and noise due to filter movements while keeping the light path stable when placing a different type of power transfer means in each of an excitation light filter module for filtering light and an emission light filter module for filtering the light generated from the sample and driving each filter module. The inventors also proved that it is possible to efficiently perform detection on samples included in a plurality of sample areas while keeping the light path stable by adjusting and positioning the placement of the power transfer means and motor for driving each of the excitation light filter module and the emission light filter module depending on each light path in such an optical signal detection device.

Thus, the disclosure aims to provide an optical signal detection device comprising (a) a light source module including a plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a different sample area, wherein one individual light source unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas , (b) a detection module including a plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from the plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from a sample in a different sample area, wherein one individual detection unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas , (c) a first filter module filtering excitation light generated from the light source module and a second filter module filtering emission light emitted from the sample, each of the first filter module and the second filter module including a plurality of filter units, a filter support where the plurality of filter units are disposed, and a connection shaft connecting the filter support to a driving module, (d) a first driving module including a first power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the first filter module and a first driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the first filter module through the first power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the first filter module, and (e) a second driving module including a second power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the second filter module and a second driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the second filter module through the second power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the second filter module, wherein a manner in which the first power transfer means transfers power of the first driving motor to the first filter module differs from a manner in which the second power transfer means transfers power of the second driving motor to the second filter module.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, according to the disclosure, there is provided an optical signal detection device comprising (a) a light source module including a plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a different sample area, wherein one individual light source unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas, (b) a detection module including a plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from the plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from a sample in a different sample area, wherein one individual detection unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas , (c) a first filter module filtering excitation light generated from the light source module and a second filter module filtering emission light emitted from the sample, each of the first filter module and the second filter module including a plurality of filter units, a filter support where the plurality of filter units are disposed, and a connection shaft connecting the filter support to a driving module, (d) a first driving module including a first power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the first filter module and a first driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the first filter module through the first power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the first filter module, and (e) a second driving module including a second power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the second filter module and a second driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the second filter module through the second power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the second filter module, wherein a manner in which the first power transfer means transfers power of the first driving motor to the first filter module differs from a manner in which the second power transfer means transfers power of the second driving motor to the second filter module.

According to the disclosure, it is possible to reduce vibration and noise in an optical signal detection device for detecting an optical signal in a manner to selectively filter the excitation light irradiated to each of the plurality of sample areas and emission light therefrom while moving the plurality of filters, by configuring different manners in transferring power to the filter module for filtering excitation light and transferring power to the filter module for filtering emission light.

According to the disclosure, it is also possible to perform efficient detection on the samples included in the plurality of sample areas while keeping the optical path stable by adjusting and positioning the power transfer means and motor for driving each of the emission light filter module and the excitation light filter module depending on each light path. According to the disclosure, it is also possible to efficiently identify the position of the filter even without consuming a separate space for sensing the correct position of each filter when placing the plurality of filters in the filter module by using a homing sensor for sensing the correct position of each filter of the excitation light and emission light filter modules for selectively filtering light by moving the plurality of filters.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an optical signal detection device according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a plan view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a side view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a portion of an embodiment of the disclosure.

The configuration and effects of the disclosure are now described in further detail in connection with embodiments thereof. The embodiments are provided merely to specifically describe the disclosure, and it is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments.

Such denotations as "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)," may be used in describing the components of the disclosure. These denotations are provided merely to distinguish a component from another, and the essence of the components is not limited by the denotations in light of order or sequence. When a component is described as "connected," "coupled," or "linked" to another component, the component may be directly connected or linked to the other component, but it should also be appreciated that other components may be "connected," "coupled," or "linked" between the components.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically illustrating an optical signal detection device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. According to the disclosure, an optical signal detection device 100 detects an optical signal generated from a sample to analyze the sample received in a sample holder 10.

The optical signal generated from the sample may be, e.g., an optical signal that is generated depending on the properties of the target analyte, such as activity, amount, or presence (or absence), specifically presence (or absence). The magnitude or change of the optical signal serves as an indicator qualitatively or quantitatively indicating the properties, specifically the presence or absence, of the target analyte. The target analyte may be, e.g., a target nucleic acid sequence or a target nucleic acid molecule including the same. Thus, the optical signal detection device 100 according to the disclosure may be a target nucleic acid sequence detection device.

Referring to FIG. 1, an optical signal detection device 100 according to the disclosure includes a light source module 110, a detection module 120, a first filter module 150, a second filter module 160, a first power transfer means 171, a first driving module 170, a second power transfer means 181, and a second driving module 180.

The light source module 110 according to the disclosure supplies an appropriate optical stimulus to the sample received in the sample holder 10, and the detection module 120 detects an optical signal generated from the sample in reaction to the optical stimulus.

The optical signal may be luminescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, fluorescence, polarized fluorescence, or other colored signal. The optical signal may be an optical signal generated in response to an optical stimulus applied to the sample.

The sample holder 10 receives a sample. The sample holder 10 is divided into a plurality of

sample areas

10a and 10b, and each of the

sample areas

10a and 10b receives a sample. All the substances that are received in the optical signal detection device 100 of the disclosure and are subject to optical signal detection reaction are included in samples of the disclosure.

The sample holder 10 is configured to directly receive the sample or to receive a reaction vessel containing the sample. The reaction vessel includes a reaction vessel that may contain one sample and reaction vessels that may separately contain a plurality of samples.

The sample holder 10 may be an electrically conductive material. When the sample holder 10 contacts the reaction vessels, heat may be transferred from the sample holder 10 to the reaction vessels. For example, the sample holder 10 may be formed of a metal, such as aluminum, gold, silver, nickel, or copper. Alternatively, a separate component from the sample holder 10 may directly supply energy to the reaction vessel to control the temperature of the samples in the reaction vessel. In this case, the sample holder 10 may be configured to accommodate the reaction vessels but not to transfer heat to the reaction vessels.

An example of the sample holder 10 is a heating block. The heating block may include a plurality of holes, and reaction vessels may be disposed in the holes.

Another example of the sample holder 10 is a heating plate. The heating plate may be formed of a plate for receiving samples and a thin metal sheet attached to the plate. The heating plate may be operated in such a manner that the plate is heated by applying electric current to the thin metal sheet.

Another example of the sample holder 10 is a receiving unit capable of receiving one or more chips or cartridges. An example of the cartridge is a fluid cartridge including a flow channel.

The sample holder 10 is configured to accommodate a plurality of samples and to adjust the temperature of the plurality of samples to thereby cause a reaction for detection, such as a nucleic acid amplification reaction. For example, when the sample holder 10 is a heating block with a plurality of wells, the sample holder 20 is formed as a single heating block, and all of the wells of the heating block may be configured not to be thermally independent from each other. In this case, the temperatures of all the wells in which samples are received in the sample holder 10 are the same, and the temperature of the received samples may not be adjusted according to different protocols.

As another example, the sample holder 10 may be configured to control the temperature of some of the samples received in the sample holder 10 according to different protocols. In other words, the sample holder 10 may include two or more thermally independent reaction areas. The reaction areas are thermally independent from each other. Heat is not transferred from one reaction area to another. For example, an insulating material or air gap may be present between the reaction areas. The temperature of each reaction area may be controlled independently. An individual reaction protocol including temperature and time may be set for each reaction area. Each reaction area may perform reaction by an independent protocol. Since reaction is performed in the reaction areas according to independent protocols, the time points of light detection in the reaction areas are independent of each other.

The sample holder 10 positions the sample in a predetermined position so that the optical stimulus reaches the sample and the optical signal generated from the sample reaches the detection module 200. The sample holder 10 may also perform a process for detecting an optical signal from the sample, such as temperature control of the sample, if necessary.

The light source module 110 includes a plurality of light source units 111 configured to irradiate excitation light to the plurality of

sample areas

10a and 10b of the sample holder 10 receiving the sample, and the detection module 120 includes a detection unit 121 configured to detect emission light emitted from the sample holder 10 receiving the sample. The detection unit 121 includes a detector that detects light.

The light source module 110 emits light to excite the optical marker included in the sample. The light emitted from the light source unit 111 of the light source module 110 may be denoted as excitation light. The light emitted from the sample may be denoted as emission light. The path of the excitation light from each light source unit 111 may be referred to as an excitation path. The path of the emission light from the sample may be referred to as an emission path. The light source unit 111 and the detection unit 121 may be disposed in fixed positions with respect to the

sample holder

10a and 10b to maintain an accurate light path.

The light source unit 111 may include a light source element (not shown). One light source unit 111 may include one or more light source elements. For example, the light source element may be a light emitting diode (LED), including an organic LED, inorganic LED, and quantum dot LED, or a laser unit including a tunable laser, He-Ne laser, or Ar laser. According to an embodiment, the light source element may be an LED.

The detection unit 121 may detect the optical signal by generating an electrical signal according to the intensity of the optical signal. The detection unit 121 is configured to detect the emission light emitted from the optical marker included in the sample. The detection unit 121 may sense the amount of light per wavelength distinctively for light wavelengths or may sense the total amount of light regardless of wavelengths. Specifically, the detection unit 121 may use, e.g., a photodiode, a photodiode array, a photo multiplier tube (PMT), a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, or an avalanche photodiode (APD).

Each light source unit 111 of the plurality of light source units 111 is configured to irradiate light to a

different sample area

10a and 10b, and a individual light source unit 111 is assigned to each

sample area

10a and 10b. Accordingly, one excitation light path is formed between each light source unit 111 and the

sample area

10a and 10b corresponding to each light source unit 111, and a plurality of excitation light paths are formed between the light source module 110 and the sample holder 10.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the number of light source elements included in the light source unit may be, e.g., one. In this case, one light source element may be one light source unit. FIG. 1 illustrates a light source module including two light source units 111 each including one light source element. Although FIG. 7 illustrates a filter module for performing filtering on each light source unit for a light source module including six light source units, the number of light source units of the disclosure is not limited to one embodiment. The disclosure may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more light source units.

According to the disclosure, each of the plurality of light source units is configured to irradiate excitation light to a different sample area.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the sample holder 10 is divided into two

sample areas

10a and 10b, the sample holder and the sample areas of the disclosure are not limited thereto. The sample holder of the disclosure may be a sample holder including, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, or 24 sample areas. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the number of reaction sites included in each of the sample areas may be the same. In other words, the sample areas may have the same number of samples that may be received in each sample area. The number of reaction sites that may be included in each sample area, that is, the number of samples that may be received in each sample area, is not particularly limited, and may be, e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, or more, and may be, e.g., 1000, 900, 800, 700, 600, 500, 400, 384, 300, 200, 100, 96, 48, 32, 24, 16 or less.

Each detection unit 121 of the plurality of detection units 121 is configured to detect the emission light from each sample in a

different sample area

10a and 10b, and one individual detection unit 121 is assigned to each

sample area

10a and 10b. Accordingly, one emission light path is formed between each detection unit 121 and the

sample area

10a and 10b corresponding to each detection unit 121, and a plurality of emission light paths are formed between the detection module 120 and the sample holder 10.

The blocking module 130 includes blocking units 131 disposed along the plurality of excitation light paths and emission light paths formed between the light source module 110, the detection module 120, and the sample holder 10. Preferably as shown in FIG. 1, the blocking module 130 is disposed under the light source module 110 and over the sample holder 10, and the detection module is disposed on a side of the blocking module 130. However, the blocking module 130 may be placed in any position where it is disposed on the path of the excitation light irradiated from the light source module 110 to provide excitation light to the

sample areas

10a and 10b and to provide emission light from the

sample areas

10a and 10b to the detection module 120.

A beam splitter 140 is received in each blocking unit 131 to guide the excitation light irradiated from the light source unit 111 to the

sample areas

10a and 10b or to guide the emission light emitted from the

sample areas

10a and 10b to the detection unit.

The blocking module 130 may include the plurality of blocking units 131. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the blocking module 130 may include two blocking units 131 as shown in FIG. 1 or six blocking units 131 as shown in FIG. 6.

The blocking unit 131 allows the excitation light irradiated to the sample from the light source module 110 and the emission light emitted to the detection module 120 to pass through the internal passage of the blocking unit 131. In this case, the excitation light and the emission light may pass along the same path in some section of each internal space. Since emission light is emitted only when excitation light is irradiated, the excitation light and the emission light, although their paths do not overlap, may pass along the same path. When light is irradiated to the sample holder 10, emission light is emitted from the reaction site of the sample holder 10 irradiated with the light. Thus, the path of the emission light until the emission light reaches the beam splitter received in the blocking unit 131 may be identical to the path until the excitation light is irradiated to the sample.

The blocking unit 131 includes an opening 132 to the light source unit 111, an opening 134 to the sample holder 20, and an opening 133 to the detection unit 121. Excitation light is irradiated from the light source unit 111 through the openings and the internal passage and reaches the sample holder 10, and emission light is emitted from the sample holder 10 and reaches the detection unit 121. Accordingly, each blocking unit 131 corresponds to one individual light source unit 111 and one individual detection unit 121.

The first filter module 150 is configured to filter the excitation the excitation light generated from the light source module 110, and the second filter module 160 is configured to filter the emission light emitted from the sample. When the blocking module 130 is disposed under the light source unit 111 and over the sample holder 10, and the detection module 120 is disposed on a side of the blocking module 130 as shown in FIG. 1, the first filter module 150 may be disposed between the light source module 110 and the blocking module 130 and over the blocking module 130, and the second filter module 160 may be disposed between the detection module 120 and the blocking module 130 and on a side of the blocking module 130. Accordingly, the first filter module 150 and the second filter module 160 may be disposed to be perpendicular to each other.

Each of the first filter module 150 and the second filter module 160 includes a plurality of

filter units

151 and 161, a

filter support

152 and 162 on which the plurality of

filter units

151 and 161 are disposed, and a

connection shaft

153 and 163 connecting the

filter support

152 and 162 to a driving module.

The first filter module 150 and the second filter module 160 may include a plurality of filter supports 152 and 162 to allow the light from the plurality of light source units 111 and the plurality of

sample areas

10a and 10b to be filtered by the first filter module 150 and the second filter module 160. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the first filter module 150 may include one filter support and filter the light from two light source units 111, and the second filter module 160 may include three filter supports and filter the light from two

sample areas

10a and 10b. According to an embodiment of the disclosure , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first filter module 150 may include two filter supports and filter the light from six light source units 111, and the second filter module 160 may include three filter supports and filter the light from six

sample areas

10a and 10b.

Although FIG. 7 illustrates a filter module including four different filter units in each of two filter supports, and FIG. 8 illustrates four different filter units in each of three filter supports, the device of the disclosure is not limited thereto. Since the filter units disposed on the filter supports are arranged to correspond to the number of detection channels to be detected, four or more may be disposed on the filter supports as the number of detection channels increases.

The filter unit 150 of the first filter module 150 filters the light emitted from the light source unit 111 so that light of a specific wavelength range reaches the sample.

The

filter units

151 and 161 filter the light emitted from the light source unit 111. Filtration means selectively transmitting or blocking a specific wavelength range of light of the light emitted from the light source unit 111. Selectively transmitting means transmitting 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% or more of the amount of light in the desired wavelength range. Selectively blocking means blocking 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% or more of the amount of light in the desired wavelength range.

The filter unit 151 of the disclosure selectively transmits a specific wavelength range of light of the light emitted from the light source unit 111 to the sample. Thus, among the optical markers included in the sample, only a specific optical marker generates an optical signal. The filter of each filter unit 151 transmits light of a wavelength range capable of exciting at least one of the optical markers.

The filter included in the filter unit 151 of the disclosure may be a bandpass filter. The bandpass filter refers to a filter that selectively transmits a certain wavelength range of light. The wavelength range of light transmitted through the bandpass filter is referred to as the passband of the filter. The passband may be represented in the form of a wavelength range. A filter including a specific passband means a filter that transmits light of a wavelength included in the specific passband. For example, the plurality of filter units may include a filter unit including a filter of a first passband and a filter unit including a filter of a second passband. The first pass band and the second pass band each may include a wavelength region of light capable of exciting a specific optical marker. In particular, the optical marker may be selected from the group consisting of FAM, CAL Fluor Red 610, HEX, Quasar 670, and Quasar 705. Each of the plurality of filter units 112 may pass light capable of exciting a different optical marker.

Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the respective pass bands of the plurality of filter units 151 may not overlap each other. Each of the plurality of filter units 151 may be disposed to selectively excite a different optical marker. Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the pass bands of the filter units 151 may differ from each other.

The filter unit 161 of the second filter module 160 filters the light emitted from the sample so that light of a specific wavelength range reaches the detection unit 121.

A plurality of filter units 161 may be provided and may be switched depending on the wavelength of the emission light so that a different filter unit 161 filters the emission light. The filter of the filter unit 161 is a filter for selectively transmitting the emission light emitted from the optical marker included in the sample. When the detection unit 121 detects light of a wavelength range other than the emission light emitted from the optical marker included in the sample, the optical signal may not be accurately detected. The filter of the filter unit 161 enables the target to be accurately detected by selectively passing the emission light emitted from the optical marker.

The plurality of filter units 151 of the first filter module 150 and the plurality of filter units 161 of the second filter module 160 are disposed on the filter supports 152 and 162, respectively. The filter support 152 of the first filter module 150 is connected to the first driving module 170 and the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160 is connected to the second driving module 180 by the

connection shafts

153 and 163.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure , the

filter support

152 and 162 may be configured to rotate around the

connection shaft

153 and 163. The plurality of

filter units

151 and 161 may be disposed on the

filter support

152 and 162 around the

connection shaft

163 and 163 so that the plurality of

filter units

151 and 161 disposed on the

filter support

152 and 162 may be moved as the

filter support

152 and 162 rotates.

As the

filter support

152 and 162 rotates so that the

filter units

151 and 161 are moved, all of the

filter units

151 and 161 of the first filter module 150 may be alternately disposed at a time in the excitation light path formed by each light source unit 111 and the

sample area

10a and 10b, and all of the

filter units

151 and 161 of the second filter module may be alternately disposed at a time in the emission light path formed by each detection unit 121 and the

sample area

10a and 10b.

In other words, the first driving module 170 rotates the filter support 152 of the first filter module 150 so that the excitation light irradiated from each light source unit 111 of the light source module 110 is filtered by a different filter unit 151 of the first filter module 150, and the second driving module 180 rotates the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160 so that the emission light from each

sample area

10a and 10b is filtered by a different filter unit 161 of the first filter module 150.

In other words, as the filter support 152 of the first filter module 150 is rotated by the first driving module 170, the light emitted from the light source unit 111 is filtered by any one of the filter units 151 of the first filter module 150, and the first filter module 150 may selectively filter the light emitted from the light source unit 111. As the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160 is rotated by the second driving module 180, the light emitted from the

sample area

10a and 10b is filtered by any one of the filter units 161 of the second filter module 160, and the second filter module 160 may selectively filter the light emitted from the

sample area

10a and 10b.

As the filter unit 151 of the first filter module 150 moves between the light source unit 111 and the

sample area

10a and 10b, any one filter unit 151 is disposed in the excitation light path and filters the light from the light source unit 111. As the filter unit 161 of the second filter module 160 moves between the

sample area

10a and 10b and the detection unit 121, any one filter unit 161 is disposed in the emission light path and filters the emission light from the

sample area

10a and 10b. Specifically, since the blocking unit 131 is disposed along the excitation light path and the emission light path, the filter unit 151 of the first filter module 150 may move between the light source unit 111 and the opening 132 to the light source unit 111, and the filter unit 161 of the second filter module 160 may move between the detection unit 121 and the opening 133 to the detection unit 121.

As there are provided a plurality of light source units 111, detection units 121, and

sample areas

10a and 10b, all or some of the filter units 151 of the first filter module 150 may simultaneously be disposed in different excitation light paths, or all or some of the filter units 161 of the second filter module 160 may be disposed in different emission light paths. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 7, the first filter module 150 may include two filter supports, four filter units may be disposed on each filter support, all of the filter units on any one filter support may correspond to the blocking unit and be disposed in different excitation light paths, and only two of the filter units on the other filter support may correspond to the blocking unit and be disposed in different excitation light paths while the other two filter units may not correspond to the blocking unit. Further, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, as shown in FIG. 8, the second filter module 160 may include three filter supports, four filter units may be disposed on each filter support, and only two of the filter units on each filter support may correspond to the blocking unit and be disposed in different emission light paths while the other two filter units may not correspond to the blocking unit. As the filter support rotates, the filter unit corresponding to each blocking unit is replaced.

The

filter support

152 and 162 may be rotated by 360°/n so that the

filter unit

151 and 161 is disposed in the excitation light path or emission light path as the

filter support

152 and 162 rotates, where n is the number of the filter units. In other words, for example, if two filter units are disposed on the filter support, the driving module may rotate the filter support by 180° so that the filter units are alternately disposed in the excitation light path or emission light path. Alternatively, if four filter units are disposed on the filter support, the driving module may rotate 90˚ so that filter units are alternately disposed in the light path or emission light path.

FIG. 7 illustrates that each filter support including four filter units is rotated by 90° at a time so that the filter units assigned to each light source unit are synchronously replaced, and FIG. 8 illustrates that each filter support including four filter units is rotated by 90˚ at a time so that filter units assigned to each sample area synchronously replaced. However, the device of the disclosure is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the filter support may include two filter units and be rotated by 180° at a time. In another example, the filter support may include three filter units. The filter support may be rotated 120˚ at a time.

By this synchronous movement, the excitation light corresponding to the wavelength range of each filter unit may be sequentially irradiated to each of the sample areas. Further, all of the emission light emitted from each sample area may be sequentially detected.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the

filter module

150 and 160 of the disclosure may include a reference hole 154. The reference hole 154 may be configured in the

filter support

152 and 162 of the

filter module

150 and 160.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the reference hole 154 may be disposed to be disposed in the light path of at least one light source unit among the plurality of light source units by movement of the

filter support

152 and 162.

When the reference hole 154 is disposed in the light path of one light source unit by the movement of the

filter support

152 and 162, the light of the light source unit passing through the reference hole 154 is detected. Thus, a reference position of the

filter support

152 and 162 may be set, and the filter supports 152 and 162 may place the filter units in correct positions.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the reference hole 154 may be configured to transmit all wavelength ranges of light. The reference hole 154 may be, e.g., an empty space or may include a transparent film through which light of all wavelengths may pass.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the reference hole 154 may include a filter that transmits light of a specific wavelength range. In this case, the filter may be a filter that transmits light of a wavelength range different from those of the filter units of the

filter module

150 and 160.

The size of the reference hole 154 is not particularly limited, but may be the same as or smaller than the size of the filter unit.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the first filter module 150 and the second filter module 160 may further include a homing sensor unit 220 for detecting a homing position when performing homing motion to allow each of the plurality of

filter units

151 and 161 rotated as the rotation of the

filter support

152 and 162 to be moved to a preset reference position.

In other words, since

filter units

151 and 161 for filtering a plurality of different wavelength ranges are disposed on the

filter support

152 and 162, the homing sensor unit 220 is provided to set and detect the homing position which serves as a reference for distinguishing between the

filter units

151 and 161.

The homing sensor unit 220 may include a tab 221 disposed on the

filter support

152 and 162 or the

connection shaft

153 and 163 to rotate according to the

filter support

152 and 162 and a sensor 222 for detecting the position of the tab 221. The sensor 222 may include, e.g., a transmission unit for transmitting light and a reception unit for receiving the light from the transmission unit. The tab 221 is configured to move between the transmission unit and the reception unit as the

filter support

152 and 162 rotates so that the sensor 222 may detect the homing position by sensing the blockage of the light by the tab 221.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tab 221 may be coupled to the connection shaft 153 and radially extend. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the tab 221 may be coupled to the filter support 162 and be configured to extend in the axial direction of the connection shaft 163. For each implementation, the sensor 222 is disposed to be able to detect the homing position in the position corresponding to the tab 221.

Meanwhile, in the conventional optical signal detection device, no filter unit is disposed in one of the positions where filter units of a filter unit are supposed to be placed so that the homing position is sensed with respect to the position where no filter unit is disposed. However, such a structure wastes the positions where filter units of a filter support may be placed and is thus inefficient.

In contrast, in the optical signal detection device 100 according to the disclosure, since the homing position of the

filter support

152 and 162 is detected using the tab 221 disposed on the

filter support

152 and 162 or the

connection shaft

153 and 163, it is possible to prevent waste of positions where filter units of a filter support may be placed and thus lead to efficient driving.

The first driving module 170 for rotating the filter support 152 of the first filter module 150 includes a first power transfer means 171 connected with the connection shaft of the first filter module 150 and a first driving motor 172 transferring power to the connection shaft 153 of the first filter module 150 through the first power transfer means 171 to rotatively move the filter support 152 of the first filter module 150.

The second driving module 180 for rotating the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160 includes a second power transfer means 181 connected with the connection shaft of the second filter module 160 and a second driving motor 182 transferring power to the connection shaft 163 of the second filter module 160 through the second power transfer means 181 to rotatively move the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160.

The optical signal detection device 100 of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182. Both the first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182 may be controlled by one controller, or the first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182 may be individually controlled by separate controllers.

It should be noted that in the detailed description and the drawings of the disclosure, components, e.g., bearings and housing, for supporting rotation or driving of, e.g., the filter supports, pulleys, or gears, are not described or shown in detail and that the components for supporting rotation or driving may be properly designed according to common technical knowledge.

Subsequently, the first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182, respectively, transfer power to the filter support 152 of the first filter module 150 and the filter support 162 of the second filter module 160 through the first power transfer means 171 and the second power transfer means 181, and the filter supports 152 and 162 are rotated by the power of the first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182, and the

filter units

151 and 161 are moved, and the

filter units

151 and 161 disposed in the excitation light path or emission light path are replaced. The first driving motor 172 and the second driving motor 182 may be, e.g., AC motor, DC motors, step motors, servo motors, or linear motors, and they may preferably be step motors.

According to the disclosure, a manner in which the first power transfer means 171 transfers the power of the first driving motor 172 to the first filter module 150 differs from a manner in which the second power transfer means 181 transfers the power of the second driving motor 182. In other words, the connection shaft 153 of the first filter module 150 is connected to the first driving motor 172 by the first power transfer means 171, and the connection shaft 163 of the second filter module 160 is connected to the second driving motor 182 by the second power transfer means 181. The first power transfer means 171 and the second power transfer means 181 transfer the power of the driving motors to the connection shafts in different manners.

As the first power transfer means 171 and the second power transfer means 181 are configured in different manners, it is possible to make a compact arrangement of the components of the optical signal detection device 100 and to reduce the size of the device.

For example, as is described below, the first power transfer means 171 may include pulleys and a belt to transfer the power of the driving motor, and the second power transfer means 181 may include gears to transfer the power of the driving motor. As such, as the first power transfer means 171 and the second power transfer means 181 have different configurations, it is possible to properly position the driving motor with respect to the filter module disposed between the light source module 110 and the blocking module 130 and between the detection module 120 and the blocking module 130. In particular, referring to FIG. 9, the optical signal detection device 100 includes a light blocking housing 900 that blocks external light by housing the light source module 110, the detection module 120, and the blocking module 130 to prevent interference with the light from the light source unit 111 by external light and noise due to introduction of external light into the detection unit 121. Since the filter module for filtering excitation light and emission light is received in the light blocking housing 900, a proper arrangement of the driving motors is required for a compact arrangement of the components in the light blocking housing 900.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first power transfer means 171 may include a plurality of pulleys 211 and a belt 212 connecting the plurality of pulleys 211. The plurality of pulleys 211 may include a pulley 211a connected with the connection shaft 153 of the first filter module 150 and a pulley 211b connected with the rotation shaft of the first driving motor 172.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second power transfer means 181 may include a plurality of gears 411. The plurality of gears 411 may include a gear 411a connected with the connection shaft 163 of the second filter module 160 and a gear 411b connected with the rotation shaft of the second driving motor 182.

In an example, the gears in pair mesh with each other, rotating to continuously transfer power. The gears are divided into helical gears, bevel gears, crown gears, or screw gears depending on the center axis of the gear, but in the device of the disclosure, the gears are not limited to a specific type.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment in which the pulleys 211 are connected to the connection shaft 153 of the first filter module 150 and the rotation shaft of the first driving motor 172, respectively, and both the pulleys 211 are directly connected to the belt 212. However, according to the disclosure, the first power transfer means 171 may further include an additional pulley in addition to the two pulleys, and a plurality of belts may connect the pulleys so that the power of the first driving motor 172 may be transferred to the connection shaft 153.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment in which the gears 411 are connected to the connection shaft 163 of the second filter module 160 and the rotation shaft of the second driving motor 182, respectively, and both the gears 411 are directly engaged with each other. However, according to the disclosure, the second power transfer means 181 may further include an additional gear in addition to the two gears, and the plurality of gears may be connected to transfer the power of the second driving motor 182 to the connection shaft 163.

As the first power transfer means 171 is configured to include the pulleys 211 and the belt 212 to transfer the power of the first driving motor 172, and the second power transfer means 181 is configured to include the gears 411 to transfer the power of the second driving motor 182, the placement of the first driving motor 172 with respect to the first filter module 150 may be disposed in a relative far distance as compared with the placement of the second driving motor 182 with respect to the second filter module 160.

In other words, since the first power transfer means 171 transfers power through pulleys and a belt, the first power transfer means 171 is appropriate for connecting the driving motor and the filter module which are spaced apart relatively far from each other. In contrast, since the second power transfer means 181 transfers power through gears, the second power transfer means 181 is appropriate for connecting the driving motor and the filter module which are disposed relatively near each other.

The plurality of pulleys 211 of the first power transfer means 171 are spaced apart from each other and are connected through the belt 212, and the spacing between the pulleys is adjustable. In other words, in the first power transfer means 171, the pulleys connected by the belt are not necessarily required to be disposed adjacent to each other, and thus, the interval between the pulleys may be set as appropriate as necessary. Thus, it is possible to freely place the first driving motor 172 in the light blocking housing 900.

the first power transfer means 171 further comprises an idler 213 pressing the belt 212 and the idler 213 is disposed between the spaced pulleys in order to prevent a reduction in the tension of the belt 212 due to an increase in the interval between the pulleys 211.

As shown in FIG. 9, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the pulleys 211 and the belt 212 of the first power transfer means 171 may be disposed outside the light blocking housing 900. Since the gears 411 of the second power transfer means 181 are connected to the rotation shaft of the second driving motor 182 and the connection shaft 163 of the second filter module 160 and are engaged with each other, they may be disposed between the second driving motor 182 and the second filter module 160 and their placement may be limited. The first power transfer means 171 may provide efficient power transfer and flexibility in a long center-to-center distance, which gear types would not.

Since the first power transfer means 171 uses a belt to connect the

pulleys

211a and 211b, it is possible to provide a flexible center-to-center distance between axes which occur when the gear 411 is driven, by adjusting the length of the belt. Thus, the first power transfer means 171 is easy to assemble and appropriate for saving space, allowing for design flexibility. Further, the first power transfer means 171 does not require an aligned shaft, protect the machine from overload and jam, and eliminates the need for a separate lubricant. Further, the pulleys 211 and the belt 212 of the first power transfer means 171 are relatively effective in absorbing shocks and load.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a case where the pulleys 211 and the belt 212 are disposed outside the light blocking housing 900, dust caused by friction between pulley and belt when the first power transfer means 171 is driven may be prevented from entering the light blocking housing 900. Thus, it is possible to prevent noise in excitation light or emission light due to dust. However, the first power transfer means 171 disposed outside the light blocking housing 900 may be placed in various positions according to embodiments, but is not limited thereto.

The first power transfer means 171 may be located above the second power transfer means 181.

The second power transfer means 181 transfers the power of the driving motor through the gears 411 and, when driven, it thus causes relatively small vibrations as compared with the first power transfer means 171 which transfers power through the pulleys 211 and the belt 212. Further, the gears 411 of the second power transfer means 181 occupy a relatively small space as compared with the pulleys 211 and the belt 212 of the first power transfer means 171 so that the detection module 120 may be disposed further adjacent to the blocking module 130. Thus, the second power transfer means 181 may enhance performance against noise when detecting emission light.

As such, the relative positions of the driving motors with respect to the filter module are varied, and the power transfer means appropriate therefor is used to transfer the power of the driving motor to the filter module. Thus, each component may be compactly disposed around the blocking module 130 inside the light blocking housing 900, and the device may be made in reduced size.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art various changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments set forth herein are provided for illustrative purposes, but not to limit the scope of the disclosure, and should be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. The scope of the disclosure should be construed by the following claims, and all technical spirits within equivalents thereof should be interpreted to belong to the scope of the disclosure.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the specific techniques are merely preferred embodiments and the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereto. Thus, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[Legends of Reference Numbers]

10: sample holder

10a, 10b: sample area

100: optical signal detection device

110: light source module

111: light source unit

120: detection module

121: detection unit

130: blocking module

131: blocking unit

132,133,134: opening

140: beam splitter

150: first filter module

151: filter unit

152: filter support

153: connection shaft

154: reference hole

160: second filter module

161: filter unit

162: filter support

163: connection shaft

170: first driving module

171: first power transfer means

172: first driving motor

180: second driving module

181: second power transfer means

182: second driving motor

211: pulley

212: belt

213: idler

220: homing sensor unit

221: tab

222: sensor

411: gears

900: light blocking housing

[CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)]

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0031781, filed on March 11, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

An optical signal detection device, comprising:

(a) a light source module comprising a plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of light source units configured to irradiate excitation light to a different sample area, wherein one individual light source unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas;

(b) a detection module comprising a plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from the plurality of sample areas, each of the plurality of detection units configured to detect emission light from a sample in a different sample area, wherein one individual detection unit is allocated to each of the plurality of sample areas;

(c) a first filter module filtering excitation light generated from the light source module and a second filter filtering emission light emitted from the sample, each of the first filter module and the second filter module comprises a plurality of filter units, a filter support where the plurality of filter units are disposed, and a connection shaft connecting the filter support to a driving module;

(d) a first driving module comprising a first power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the first filter module and a first driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the first filter module through the first power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the first filter module; and

(e) a second driving module comprising a second power transfer means connected with the connection shaft of the second filter module and a second driving motor transferring power to the connection shaft of the second filter module through the second power transfer means to rotatively move the filter support of the second filter module,

wherein a manner in which the first power transfer means transfers power of the first driving motor to the first filter module differs from a manner in which the second power transfer means transfers power of the second driving motor to the second filter module.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the first power transfer means comprises a plurality of pulleys and a belt connecting the plurality of pulleys, and

wherein the plurality of pulleys comprise a pulley connected with the connection shaft of the first filter module and a pulley connected with a rotation shaft of the first driving motor.
The optical signal detection device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pulleys are spaced apart from each other and connected to each other through the belt, and

wherein the spacing between the pulleys is adjustable.
The optical signal detection device of claim 3, wherein the first power transfer means further comprises an idler pressing the belt and disposed between the spaced pulleys.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the second power transfer means comprises a plurality of gears, and

wherein the plurality of gears comprise a gear connected with the connection shaft of the second filter module and a gear connected with a rotation shaft of the second driving motor.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the first driving module rotates the filter support of the first filter module to allow the excitation light irradiated from each light source unit of the light source module to be filtered by a different filter unit of the first filter module.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the second driving module rotates the filter support of the second filter module to allow the emission light emitted from each sample area to be filtered by a different filter unit of the second filter module.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein each of the first filter module and the second filter module further comprises a homing sensor unit for detecting a homing position upon homing motion for moving each of the plurality of filter units rotated along the filter support to a preset reference position.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the homing sensor unit comprises a tab disposed on the filter support or the connection shaft and rotated as the rotation of the filter support and a sensor for detecting a position of the tab.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the first filter module and the second filter module are disposed to be perpendicular to each other.
The optical signal detection device of claim 1, wherein the filter support is rotated by 360°/n, wherein n is the number of the filter units.