Abstract:
Improving processing power of a biosensor detection apparatus for measurement while preventing structural complication and size increase in the apparatus. Providing one or more spectrometers (20) configured to spectrally separate each light beam (Lr) reflected from each of a plurality of measurement regions defined on a biosensor (10) simultaneously and one or more optical receivers (30) configured to receive each light beam (Ls) spectrally separated by the one or more spectrometers (20) simultaneously, thereby enabling the apparatus to obtain a spectral intensity distribution of each light beam (Ls) separately.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a microfluidic device that can be used for fiber optic interrogation of multiple samples. The device comprises a substrate integrally comprising a plurality of optic fibers. A layer formed on a surface of the substrate defines at least one topological feature that communicates with at least one optic fiber for interrogation of a sample. The device preferably comprises a plurality of topological features that may include a patterned array of wells, channels or any combinations thereof. The plurality of optic fibers of a device of the invention are capable of interrogating thousands of samples simultaneously. These samples may include, without limitation, molecular, cellular, proteomic, genomic or gaseous materials or assays. The present invention also discloses a method for fabricating a microfluidic device. The invention also comprises a method for interrogating multiple samples in parallel via the microfluidic devices provided herein.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using a fiber array spectral translator-based ('FAST') spectroscopic system for performing spectral unmixing of a mixture containing multiple polymorphs. In an embodiment, a first spectrum of a mixture containing polymorphs of a compound is obtained using a photon detector and a fiber array spectral translator having plural fibers. A set of second spectra is provided where each spectrum of the set of second spectra may be representative of a different polymorph of the compound. The first spectrum and the set of second spectra may be compared, and based on the comparison, the presence of one or more polymorphs in the mixture may be determined.
Abstract:
A multi-channel fluorescence measuring optical system and a multi-channel fluorescence sample analyzer using the optical system are provided. The multi-channel fluorescence measuring optical system, which irradiates light onto a plurality of sample channels and detecting fluorescence radiated from samples, includes: a light source (60a-d); an integrator (70) for giving the light irradiated from the light source a uniform intensity distribution; a sample holder (80) having a plurality of sample channels on which the samples (m) are mounted, wherein the samples are exited by the light emitted from the integrator; and a beam splitter (75) between the integrator and the sample holder for dividing the incident light in a predetermined ratio. Since the light intensities of fluorescence images are detected using optical fiber bundles (85a-d) and photodiodes (89a-d), the manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced, and the optical system can be miniaturized.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus, and system, implementing and using techniques for detecting a presence of one or more target analytes in particular regions of interest of one or more samples. One or more samples including objects and one or more target analytes are provided. Some of the target analytes are labeled with a fluorophore and are bound to some of the objects in the samples. The samples are illuminated with fluorescence inducing light and fluorescent light is collected from one or more regions of the one or more samples. At least one anisotropy measurement of the samples is performed to identify regions of interest where one or more target analytes are bound to the objects. The collected fluorescent light from the regions of interest is analyzed to determine a presence of target analytes that are bound to the objects in the one or more samples.
Abstract:
Computation -saving techniques and stability-adding techniques provide for fast, accurate reconstructions of a time series of images involving large scale 3D problems, such as real-time image recovery in an optical tomography imaging system. A system equation for a target medium (116) such as a tissue is solved using a Normalized Difference Method (NDM) (250). Because of the inherent stability of the NDM solutions, a weight matrix (W) of the system equation can be provided for a given point in a time series (220), then reused without recalculation at subsequent points. Further saving are achieved by decomposing W using singular value decomposition or direst matrix decomposition, transforming it to reduce its dimensions, and/or scaling it to achieve a more stable numerical solution. Values of measured energy (112) emerging from the target medium are back-substituted into the system equation for the different points to obtain the target medium properties.
Abstract:
A fluorescence sensing device for determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a liquid or gaseous medium is constructed of a fiber optic plate (12) comprising optical fibers having relatively small numerical apertures. The fiber optic plate is positioned on a photodetector and has a layer of analyte-permeable fluorescent matrix (22) or coated waveguide material on its top surface. The fluorescent matrix or waveguide coating contains indicator molecules whose fluorescence is affected by the local presence of analyte. A light source emits light into the fluorescent matrix in a direction generally parallel to the top surface of the fiber optic plate. Upon absorbing light from the light source, indicator molecules in the fluorescent matrix emit fluorescent light which is transmitted through the fiber optic plate to the photodetector.
Abstract:
A method, probe (14) and system for detecting presence of cavitation in a liquid and measuring cavitation density and intensity of a specific locale in the fluid. A first cavitation void (11-1 ) and associated energy perturbation, produced in a first liquid (L1), moves within the first liquid (L1) and is received at a very thin plate (13), which separates the first liquid (L1) from a second liquid (L2) and is part of a light-proof chamber (15) containing the second liquid (L2). An energy perturbation in the first liquid (L1) is received at the thin plate (13) and produces at least one cavitation void or associated energy perturbation (11-1 ) in the second liquid (L2); and the energy perturbation in the second liquid (L2) is eventually converted into an electromagnetic signal. This signal is received by a photomultiplier (19) and converted to an electronic signal that indicates the presence of cavitation. The system can distinguish between cavitation voids produced at one location and/or time interval and voids produced at another location and/or another time interval.
Abstract:
Apparatus for detecting light emitted by assay samples is provided, in which light emitted by the sample is collected for transmission to a charge coupled device camera (74) by an optical fibre bundle. The cross-sectional area of the optical fibre bundle corresponds to the area of the sample, the end of which is located close to the sample for detecting any light emitted therefrom, and selected fibres (30) of those making up the bundle are separated from the remainder and extend to a source of excitation radiation (76) and serve to convey excitation radiation (if required) directly to a corresponding plurality of points distributed over the area of the end face of the bundle and therefore over the area of the sample. The remaining fibres (32, 38) of the bundle serve to collect emitted light (whether generated by fluorescence caused by excitation or otherwise) and provide a light path to the charge coupled device camera, wherein the ends of the excitation fibres and the ends of the emitted light collecting fibres are distributed uniformly over the area of the fibre bundle presented to the reaction site.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the fabrication and use of biosensors comprising a plurality of optical fibers each fiber having attached to its 'sensor end' biological 'binding partners' (molecules that specifically bind other molecules to form a binding complex such as antibody-antigen, lectin-carbohydrate, nucleic acid-nucleic acid, biotin-avidin, etc.). The biosensor preferably bears two or more different species of biological binding partner. The sensor is fabricated by providing a plurality of groups of optical fibers. Each group is treated as a batch to attach a different species of biological binding partner to the sensor ends of the fibers comprising that bundle. Each fiber, or group of fibers within a bundle, may be uniquely identified so that the fibers, or group of fibers, when later combined in an array of different fibers, can be discretely addressed. Fibers or groups of fibers are then selected and discretely separated from different bundles. The discretely separated fibers are then combined at their sensor ends to produce a high density sensor array of fibers capable of assaying simultaneously the binding of components of a test sample to the various binding partners on the different fibers of the sensor array. The transmission ends of the optical fibers are then discretely addressed to detectors - such as a multiplicity of optical sensors. An optical signal, produced by binding of the binding partner to its substrate to form a binding complex, is conducted through the optical fiber or group of fibers to a detector for each discrete test. By examining the addressed transmission ends of fibers, or groups of fibers, the addressed transmission ends can transmit unique patterns assisting in rapid sample identification by the sensor.