US Patent 10571396 Methods and systems for fluorescence detection

The present invention is directed to multiplexed fluorescence detection, including time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) detection. A combination of spectral and temporal differences in fluorescence emission and spectral differences in excitation is used to enhance the ability to separate signals in an assay from multiple fluorescent labels. Different classes of labels may be utilized, including upconversion phosphors as well as lanthanide chelates and transition metal chelates. The methods may be implemented in optical plate readers, including cartridge-based multi-mode readers.