Fully-integrated microfluidic optical biosensing test system and test method thereof
Through the fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system, the problems of large size and complex operation of traditional medical testing equipment have been solved, the miniaturization of equipment and reduction of testing costs have been achieved, the flexibility and reliability of testing have been improved, and it is suitable for instant testing scenarios.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510873030.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing medical testing equipment is large in size and complex to operate, which limits the popularization and mobile application of instant testing, especially in community and home settings.
A fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system was designed, including a computer module, a fully integrated optical biosensor testing module, and a microfluidic sensor chip module. It integrates a broadband light source, a micro-spectrometer, a microfluidic pump, and a stepper motor control module. Through an optical fiber array and microfluidic channels, it achieves efficient sample transport and spectral analysis, simplifying the operation process.
It realizes the miniaturization of equipment, reduces sample consumption and testing costs, improves the repeatability of testing and the reliability of results, and provides a flexible and efficient solution for instant testing.
Smart Images
Figure CN120721683A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical waveguide sensors, and in particular to a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system. Background Art
[0002] As an innovative direction in the field of photonics, silicon-based optical waveguide sensors have the potential to bring groundbreaking changes to the field of medical testing. The core of these sensors is the use of silicon-based materials to construct miniaturized optical pathways, enabling rapid analysis of biomolecules, cells, or body fluid samples through efficient transmission and sensitive detection of optical signals. In medical scenarios, this technology can significantly improve detection sensitivity and specificity, and is particularly suitable for the identification of early disease markers, such as trace detection of related proteins or viral nucleic acids. Its miniaturization allows the detection module to break free from the volume limitations of traditional optical equipment, providing a physical basis for the development of portable diagnostic tools, which is of great significance for promoting the implementation of precision medicine in community and home scenarios.
[0003] While current mainstream medical testing equipment is highly specialized, its bulk and complex operating procedures severely hinder its widespread adoption. Large biochemical analyzers, flow cytometers, and other equipment often require specialized laboratory environments and rely on specialized personnel for sample processing and data analysis, resulting in extended testing cycles and increased costs. Furthermore, traditional optical systems rely on precise mechanical structures and complex optical path adjustments, which not only increases the weight of the equipment but also limits its application in mobile healthcare scenarios. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to achieve the purpose of the present invention, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor test system, including a computer module, a fully integrated optical biosensor test module and a microfluidic sensor chip module, the fully integrated optical biosensor test module including: a broadband light source, a micro spectrometer, a microfluidic pump and a stepper motor control module; the computer module is connected to the broadband light source and the micro spectrometer through a communication interface connection line, the stepper motor control module is connected to the microfluidic pump, the microfluidic pump is connected to one end of the microfluidic sensor chip module through an input hose, and the other end of the microfluidic sensor chip module is connected to the output hose; the microfluidic sensor chip module is connected to the broadband light source and the micro spectrometer through an output optical fiber.
[0005] Preferably, the microfluidic sensor chip module is fixed on the fixed platform by an upper chip fixture and a lower chip fixture.
[0006] Preferably, the microfluidic sensor chip module includes: a sensor chip, a microfluidic channel is arranged above the sensor chip; one end of the microfluidic channel is connected to the input hose, and the other end is connected to the output hose, the sensor chip is coupled to the optical fiber array, and the optical fiber array is connected to the output optical fiber.
[0007] Preferably, the sensor chip integrates a plurality of silicon-based optical waveguide sensors based on micro-ring resonant cavities with different structures.
[0008] Preferably, a testing method for a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system comprises:
[0009] S1: Set the output light power of the broadband light source through the computer module and set the flow rate of the microfluidic pump to 10 μL / min;
[0010] S2: The input light from the broadband light source enters the sensor chip in the form of optical coupling through the optical fiber array. At the same time, the microfluidic pump pushes the test agent in the syringe into the input hose at a flow rate of 10μL / min at a uniform speed, and then flows into the microfluidic channel above the sensor chip.
[0011] S3: After light interacts with the test agent in the microfluidic channel, it is output to the micro-spectrometer through the optical fiber array. The micro-spectrometer then transmits the spectral image to the computer module to collect, analyze, process and store the experimental data;
[0012] S4: When the sensor chip is undergoing a sensor test, changes in the concentration of the test agent will cause changes in the refractive index, which in turn causes the resonance peak of the output spectrum to shift. The sensor sensitivity can be determined by observing the shift.
[0013] Preferably, the broadband light source is the input light source, the working band is the C+L band, the output optical power is >20mW, the flat gain is <2.0dB, the miniature spectrometer is the detector, the working band is the C band, and the detectable optical power is -75dBm to +5dBm.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] This invention utilizes innovative integration of miniaturized components to create a highly compact microfluidic optical biosensor testing system. The hardware architecture reduces the volume limitations of traditional optical devices. The system's high-precision microfluidic pump enables precise control of microliter-scale fluid transport, significantly improving the repeatability and reliability of complex biological sample testing. While maintaining its miniaturized nature, the device minimizes sample consumption, significantly reducing testing reagent costs. Its operational workflow is designed to simplify the multi-step control of traditional instruments. This microfluidic optical biosensor testing system provides a flexible and efficient solution for point-of-care testing scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 2 This is the optimal spectrum loss test diagram with and without the water cladding of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 3 This is a test diagram of the sensing principle of the present invention for measuring salt water of different concentrations;
[0019] In the figure: 1. Computer module; 2. Fully integrated optical biosensor test module; 3. Microfluidic sensor chip module; 4. Communication interface cable; 21. Broadband light source; 22. Microfluidic pump; 23. Stepper motor control module; 24. Micro-spectrometer; 25. Input and output optical fibers; 26. Input hose; 27. Optical fiber array; 28. Fixed platform; 29. Output hose; 31. Lower chip fixture; 32. Sensor chip; 34. Microfluidic channel; 35. Upper chip fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0021] Example:
[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 The present invention provides a technical solution: a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system, including a computer module 1, a fully integrated optical biosensor testing module 2 and a microfluidic sensor chip module 3. The microfluidic sensor chip module 3 is fixed on a fixed platform 28 by an upper chip fixture 35 and a lower chip fixture 31.
[0023] The fully integrated optical biosensor testing module 2 includes a broadband light source 21 , a micro-spectrometer 24 , a micro-fluidic pump 22 and a stepper motor control module 23 .
[0024] The computer module 1 is connected to the broadband light source 21 and the micro-spectrometer 24 through the communication interface connection line 4, the stepper motor control module 23 is connected to the microfluidic pump 22, the microfluidic pump 22 is connected to one end of the microfluidic sensor chip module 3 through the input hose 26, and the other end of the microfluidic sensor chip module 3 is connected to the output hose 29.
[0025] The microfluidic sensor chip module 3 is connected to the broadband light source 21 and the micro spectrometer 24 via an output optical fiber.
[0026] The microfluidic sensor chip module 3 includes: a sensor chip 32, a microfluidic channel 34 is arranged above the sensor chip 32; one end of the microfluidic channel 34 is connected to the input hose 26, and the other end is connected to the output hose 29. The sensor chip 32 is coupled to the optical fiber array 27, and the optical fiber array 27 is connected to the output optical fiber.
[0027] The sensor chip 32 integrates multiple silicon-based optical waveguide sensors based on micro-ring resonators with different structures.
[0028] A testing method for a fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system, comprising:
[0029] S1: The output light power of the broadband light source 21 is set by the computer module 1, and the flow rate of the microfluidic pump 22 is set to 10 μL / min;
[0030] Among them, the broadband light source 21 is the input light source, the working band is the C+L band, the output optical power is >20mW, and the flat gain is <2.0dB. The micro spectrometer 24 is the detector, the working band is the C band, and the detectable optical power is -75dBm to +5dBm.
[0031] Before the experiment begins, the broadband light source 21 and the micro-spectrometer 24 are connected to the computer module 1 using the communication interface cable 4. The output optical power of the broadband light source 21 is set through the computer module 1 to ensure that the optimal spectral image transmitted by the micro-spectrometer 24 is received after the experiment. Then, the stepper motor control module 23 is connected to the micro-flow pump 22, and the flow rate of the micro-flow pump 22 is set to 10 μL / min.
[0032] S2: The input light from the broadband light source 21 enters the sensor chip 32 in the form of optical coupling through the optical fiber array 27. At the same time, the microfluidic pump 22 pushes the test agent in the syringe into the input hose 26 at a flow rate of 10 μL / min at a uniform speed, and then flows into the microfluidic channel 34 above the sensor chip 32.
[0033] After the sensing test begins, the input light from the broadband light source 21 enters the sensor chip 32 in the form of optical coupling through the optical fiber array 27. At the same time, the microfluidic pump 22 pushes the test agent in the syringe into the input hose 26 at a flow rate of 10 μL / min at a uniform speed, and then flows into the microfluidic channel 34 above the sensor chip 32.
[0034] S3: After the light interacts with the test agent in the microfluidic channel 34, it is output to the micro-spectrometer 24 through the optical fiber array 27. The micro-spectrometer 24 then transmits the spectral image to the computer module 1 to collect, analyze, process and store the experimental data;
[0035] S4: When the sensor chip 32 is performing a sensing test, a change in the concentration of the test agent will cause a change in the refractive index, which in turn causes a shift in the resonance peak of the output spectrum. The sensing sensitivity can be determined by observing the shift.
[0036] Among them, the optical fiber array 27 is composed of 32 single-mode optical fibers, and every two of them constitute the input and output optical fibers 25 of a certain sensor structure integrated on the sensor chip 32. The spectral loss of each sensor structure is measured separately, and finally the structure with the best loss is selected for salt water sensing test.
[0037] The specific method for measuring spectral loss is as follows: first, the broadband light source 21 and the micro-spectrometer 24 are controlled and started by the computer module 1. The input light of the broadband light source 21 is transmitted to the micro-spectrometer 24 through the input and output optical fibers 25 of the optical fiber array 27. The micro-spectrometer 24 then transmits the spectral image to the computer module 1 for processing and storage, marking the spectral image at this time as loss without water cladding.
[0038] Then, the stepper motor control module 23 controls and starts the microfluidic pump 22 to uniformly move the deionized water in the syringe into the input hose 26, and then into the microfluidic channel 34 above the sensor chip 32, providing a water cladding environment for the sensor chip 32. The spectral image is then processed and stored by the computer module 1, and the spectral image at this time is marked as a loss with water cladding. The input and output optical fibers 25 of the optical fiber array 27 are then replaced, and other sensor structures integrated on the sensor chip 32 are tested until the loss results of all sensor structures are measured.
[0039] like Figure 2 The figure shows the optimal loss result after comparison (the fiber enters from the port labeled 21 of the optical fiber array 27 and exits from the port labeled 26). Therefore, the sensor structure of the input and output ports 21-26 is subsequently tested for sensing salt water of different concentrations.
[0040] The detection function of the microfluidic sensor chip module 3 can be realized through the dynamic response mechanism of the resonant wavelength of the microring resonant cavity. Figure 3 As shown, when the microfluidic pump 22 injects sodium chloride solutions with increasing gradients (0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6% and 2%) into the sensing area through the microfluidic channel 34, it can be clearly observed that the resonance peak of the output spectrum shifts. This is because the change in the concentration of the test agent will cause the refractive index of the material to change, which in turn causes the effective refractive index in the resonant cavity to change, manifesting as a shift in the characteristic wavelength. This constitutes the core principle of label-free optical detection.
[0041] This sensing mode maintains high sensitivity while having good repeatability and anti-interference capabilities, providing a label-free, fast feedback solution for instant detection scenarios.
[0042] The embodiments disclosed in the present invention are preferred embodiments, but are not limited to them. Ordinary technicians in this field can easily understand the spirit of the present invention based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and changes. As long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention, they are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensing test system, comprising: A computer module, a fully integrated optical biosensor test module and a microfluidic sensor chip module, characterized in that the fully integrated optical biosensor test module includes: a broadband light source, a miniature spectrometer, a microfluidic pump and a stepper motor control module; the computer module is connected to the broadband light source and the miniature spectrometer through a communication interface connection line, the stepper motor control module is connected to the microfluidic pump, the microfluidic pump is connected to one end of the microfluidic sensor chip module through an input hose, and the other end of the microfluidic sensor chip module is connected to the output hose; the microfluidic sensor chip module is connected to the broadband light source and the miniature spectrometer through an output optical fiber.
2. The fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic sensor chip module is fixed on a fixed platform by an upper chip fixture and a lower chip fixture.
3. The fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic sensor chip module includes: a sensor chip, a microfluidic channel is arranged above the sensor chip; one end of the microfluidic channel is connected to the input hose, and the other end is connected to the output hose. The sensor chip is coupled to an optical fiber array, and the optical fiber array is connected to the output optical fiber.
4. The fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor chip integrates multiple silicon-based optical waveguide sensors based on microring resonators with different structures.
5. A testing method for the fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: include: S1: Set the output light power of the broadband light source through the computer module and set the flow rate of the microfluidic pump to 10 μL / min; S2: The input light from the broadband light source enters the sensor chip in the form of optical coupling through the optical fiber array. At the same time, the microfluidic pump pushes the test agent in the syringe into the input hose at a flow rate of 10μL / min at a uniform speed, and then flows into the microfluidic channel above the sensor chip. S3: After light interacts with the test agent in the microfluidic channel, it is output to the micro-spectrometer through the optical fiber array. The micro-spectrometer then transmits the spectral image to the computer module to collect, analyze, process and store the experimental data; S4: When the sensor chip is undergoing a sensor test, changes in the concentration of the test agent will cause changes in the refractive index, which in turn causes the resonance peak of the output spectrum to shift. The sensor sensitivity can be determined by observing the shift.
6. The testing method of the fully integrated microfluidic optical biosensor testing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The broadband light source is used as the input light source, the working band is C+L band, the output optical power is >20mW, and the flat gain is <2.0dB. The miniature spectrometer is used as the detector, the working band is C band, and the detectable optical power is -75dBm to +5dBm.