Optical chip automatic operation and reaction instrument device and detection method thereof
By designing automated operation and reaction instruments for optical chips, and using wavelength-tunable lasers, integrated optical waveguide structures, and microfluidic technology, we have achieved highly sensitive, rapid, and automated multi-parameter detection, solving the problems of insufficient detection accuracy and operational convenience of existing instruments. This approach is suitable for detection needs in multiple fields.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511047743.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing in vitro diagnostic instruments based on integrated optical waveguide technology have deficiencies in detection accuracy, ease of operation, and multi-parameter detection capabilities, making it difficult to meet the needs of actual scenarios such as clinical diagnosis, food safety testing, and environmental monitoring.
An optical chip automated operation and reaction instrument is designed, including a light source module, a sensor chip, a sample flow channel system, a signal acquisition and processing module, and an automated control module. It achieves high sensitivity, rapid detection, and multi-parameter detection. It uses a wavelength-tunable laser, an integrated optical waveguide structure, microfluidics technology, and an embedded control system to achieve fully automatic operation.
It significantly improves detection sensitivity and accuracy, shortens detection time, simplifies the operation process, is suitable for non-professionals, supports simultaneous detection of multiple parameters, and is widely used in medical diagnosis, food safety testing and environmental monitoring.
Smart Images
Figure CN120801734A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optoelectronic devices, and in particular to an optical chip automatic operation and reaction instrument device and a detection method thereof. BACKGROUND
[0002] In-vitro diagnostic (IVD) instruments, as key tools in the field of medical detection, disease diagnosis and health management, directly affect the reliability and application efficiency of the detection results. Traditional IVD detection methods, such as biochemical analysis and immunoassay, mainly rely on enzyme labeling technology, fluorescent labeling technology or electrochemical detection technology, which have exposed many limitations in practical application. For example, these methods often require complex sample pretreatment processes, which not only prolong the detection time but also increase the risk of operation errors; at the same time, their limited detection sensitivity makes it difficult to meet the precise detection needs of low-concentration target molecules, limiting their application in early disease diagnosis and other scenarios.
[0003] In recent years, integrated optical waveguide technology has gradually become a research hotspot and has been preliminarily applied in the IVD field due to its outstanding advantages such as high sensitivity, real-time monitoring and no need for labeling. This technology realizes detection through the interaction between optical waveguides and sample molecules, which can theoretically break through the sensitivity bottleneck of traditional methods. However, existing in-vitro diagnostic instruments based on integrated optical waveguide technology still have obvious shortcomings: in terms of detection accuracy, the ability to capture and amplify weak signals needs to be improved; in terms of operation convenience, it relies heavily on manual intervention in key steps and has low automation level; and most instruments can only realize single-parameter detection, making it difficult to meet the multi-index analysis needs of complex samples. These problems limit its widespread application in actual scenarios such as clinical diagnosis, food safety detection and environmental monitoring.
[0004] Therefore, in view of the shortcomings of existing technologies, developing a new type of integrated optical waveguide in-vitro diagnostic instrument with high sensitivity, rapid detection, automatic operation and multi-parameter detection capabilities has become an important direction for promoting the development of IVD technology, and has significant practical application value. SUMMARY
[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an optical chip automatic operation and reaction instrument device, comprising a light source module, a sensor chip, a sample flow channel system, a signal acquisition and processing module, and an automatic control module.
[0006] The light source module provides stable and adjustable light signals for exciting the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide.
[0007] The sensor chip uses integrated optical waveguides to form a sensing unit, which converts and amplifies the weak refractive index changes on the surface of the optical waveguide caused by target molecules into detectable optical phase signals.
[0008] The sample flow channel system is used for injection, circulation and cleaning of the sample;
[0009] The signal acquisition and processing module acquires the optical phase signal in real time, and outputs the detection result after algorithm analysis.
[0010] The automatic control module is used for automatic operation of the instrument to realize sample injection, detection parameter setting and result output functions.
[0011] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the application, the light signal provided by the light source module is stable and adjustable, including a wavelength adjustable laser, the wavelength adjustment range of the output light signal of which is 400-1600 nm, and the output power stability is not more than ±0.5% / h; in the detection process, the light source module excites the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide after the sample is injected onto the surface of the sensor chip, and continuously provides the light signal until the signal acquisition is completed.
[0012] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the application, the sensing unit of the sensor chip is an integrated optical waveguide structure, which amplifies the weak refractive index change on the surface of the optical waveguide into an optical phase signal; in the detection process, the target molecules in the sample are combined with the capture molecules on the surface of the sensor first, to cause the refractive index change, and then to generate the optical phase shift, to complete the process from molecular combination to signal conversion.
[0013] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the application, the integrated optical waveguide structure is an on-chip optical waveguide interference structure, and the material of the integrated optical waveguide structure is silicon-based or silicon nitride-based; in the detection process, the integrated optical waveguide structure forms the transmission mode under the excitation of the light signal, and generates the optical phase signal that can be collected after interacting with the sample molecules.
[0014] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the application, the sample flow channel system adopts the microfluidic technology, and operates according to the following detection process steps: first, sample preparation is performed, and the sample is diluted, filtered and pretreated; then, the sample is injected, and the injection amount is 1-50 μL; then, sample circulation is realized, and the circulation flow rate can be adjusted in the range of 0.1-10 μL / min; after the detection is completed, cleaning is performed, and the inner wall of the flow channel is treated to prevent adsorption, to ensure the detection accuracy.
[0015] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the application, the signal acquisition and processing module includes a high-sensitivity photoelectric detector and a data processing unit; in the detection process, the high-sensitivity photoelectric detector acquires the optical phase signal in real time after the light source excites the transmission mode of the optical waveguide, and the data processing unit analyzes the optical phase shift amount through a preset algorithm, calculates the target molecule concentration, and completes the process from signal acquisition to result calculation.
[0016] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, the automatic control module comprises an embedded control system and a human-computer interaction unit; in the detection process, the user inputs the detection parameters through the touch screen first, and then the embedded control system automatically controls sample injection, detection parameter setting, signal acquisition and processing, and result output, realizing full-automatic operation throughout the whole process.
[0017] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, in the overall detection process, the modules work in cooperation in the following order: after the sample flow channel system completes sample preparation and injection, the light source module excites the transmission mode of the optical waveguide, the signal acquisition and processing module acquires and analyzes signals in real time, and the automatic control module controls throughout the whole process, and finally outputs the detection result.
[0018] According to a specific implementation manner of the embodiment of the present application, when the device performs multi-parameter detection, the sample flow channel system simultaneously injects samples containing multiple target molecules, multiple sensing units on the sensor chip are combined with different target molecules respectively, the signal acquisition and processing module synchronously acquires and analyzes multiple optical phase signals, and the automatic control module coordinates the modules to complete the multi-parameter detection process.
[0019] In the second aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a detection method based on the device of the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect, comprising the following steps:
[0020] The pretreatment unit of the sample flow channel system is used to pretreat the sample to be measured;
[0021] The detection parameters including the detection time length and the sample circulation flow rate are input through the human-computer interaction unit of the automatic control module, and the detection parameters are recorded and stored by the embedded control system;
[0022] The automatic control module controls the sample flow channel system to inject the pretreated sample onto the surface of the sensor chip at an injection amount of 1-50 μL, so as to ensure that the sample fully contacts the surface of the sensor chip;
[0023] The light source module is started after the sample is injected, to provide stable and adjustable light signals to excite the transmission mode of the integrated optical waveguide on the sensor chip;
[0024] The target molecules in the sample specifically combine with the capture molecules on the surface of the sensor chip, so as to cause the refractive index of the surface of the optical waveguide to change, and further cause the optical phase to shift, and the sensor chip converts and amplifies the weak change into a detectable optical phase signal;
[0025] The high-sensitivity photoelectric detector of the signal acquisition and processing module acquires the optical phase signal in real time, and continuously works during the excitation period of the light signal, so as to ensure the integrity of the signal;
[0026] The data processing unit of the signal acquisition and processing module analyzes the collected optical phase offset through a preset algorithm, calculates the concentration or existence of the target molecule, and generates a preliminary detection result;
[0027] After the detection is completed, the sample flow channel system automatically starts a cleaning program to clean the sample flow channel and the surface of the sensor chip.
[0028] The automatic control module displays the detection results obtained through the data processing step through the man-machine interaction unit, and stores or prints the results in a preset format.
[0029] When multiple target molecules need to be detected simultaneously, the sample flow channel system injects samples containing multiple target molecules simultaneously, multiple integrated optical waveguide interference structures on the sensor chip interact with different target molecules, the signal acquisition and processing module synchronously acquires and analyzes multiple optical phase signals, and the automatic control module coordinates parallel processing of each step to finally output the detection results of multiple target molecules.
[0030] The present application has the following advantages:
[0031] In terms of detection performance, the detection sensitivity and accuracy are significantly improved. By using a new integrated photon sensor chip, the weak refractive index change caused by the target molecule can be converted and amplified into a detectable optical phase signal, thereby realizing the detection of low-concentration target molecules. For example, in the detection of C-reactive protein, the concentration can be as low as 1 ng / mL, and in the detection of pesticide residues, the concentration can be as low as 0.1 μg / kg, meeting the demand for detection of trace target molecules.
[0032] In terms of detection efficiency, the detection time is effectively shortened. With the high-efficiency operation of the sample flow channel system and the coordinated cooperation of each module, such as the detection of C-reactive protein in blood, only 5 minutes are needed, greatly improving the detection speed and providing rapid result support for detection needs.
[0033] In terms of operation and use, it is simple and highly automated. The instrument integrates an automatic control module, realizes full-automatic operation through an embedded system, and users only need to input detection parameters or inject samples through a touch screen. The instrument can automatically complete a series of processes such as sample injection, detection parameter setting, signal acquisition and processing, and result output, reducing the requirement for professional skills of the operator, suitable for non-professional personnel to use, and also reducing the error caused by human operation.
[0034] It has wide applicability in terms of application scope. The instrument can meet the detection requirements of multiple fields such as medical diagnosis, food safety detection and environmental monitoring, can be used for detecting various target molecules such as disease markers in blood, pesticide residues in food and pollutants in the environment, supports simultaneous detection of multiple parameters, can cope with complex sample analysis, and has wide market prospects and practical application value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.
[0036] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrument based on integrated optical waveguide technology.
[0037] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the design of a sensor chip in an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrument based on integrated optical waveguide technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0039] The purpose of the present application is to provide an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) instrument based on integrated optical waveguide technology, which has high sensitivity, rapid detection, automatic operation and multi-parameter detection capability, and can be widely used in medical diagnosis, food safety detection and environmental monitoring.
[0040] The IVD instrument (i.e. optical chip automatic operation and reaction instrument device) of the present application includes the following main parts:
[0041] Light source module: provides stable and adjustable light signals for exciting the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide.
[0042] Sensor chip: adopts integrated optical waveguide to form a sensing unit, and converts and amplifies the weak refractive index change of the optical waveguide surface caused by the target molecule into a detectable optical phase signal.
[0043] Sample flow channel system: used for sample injection, circulation and cleaning to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the detection process.
[0044] Signal acquisition and processing module: real-time acquisition of optical phase signals, analysis by algorithm, and output of detection results.
[0045] Automatic control module: realizes the automatic operation of the instrument, including sample injection, detection parameter setting and result output functions.
[0046] The IVD instrument of the present application realizes high-sensitivity detection of target molecules (such as antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, etc.) by integrating optical waveguide technology, utilizing the interaction between the evanescent field of the on-chip optical waveguide propagation mode and the sample molecules. The core principle is that:
[0047] When the optical signal irradiates the surface of the sensor chip, the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide is excited.
[0048] The target molecules in the sample bind to the capture molecules on the sensor surface, causing a change in refractive index, which in turn causes a shift in optical phase.
[0049] Through the signal acquisition and processing module, the amount of shift in optical phase is analyzed, and the concentration or presence of the target molecules is calculated.
[0050] The present application adopts a new type of integrated photon sensing chip, which significantly improves the detection sensitivity and selectivity; the instrument integrates an automatic control module, simplifying the operation process and reducing human error; supports simultaneous detection of multiple parameters, meeting the needs of complex sample analysis; has portability and high stability, suitable for laboratory and on-site detection scenarios.
[0051] The device of the present application can improve the detection sensitivity and accuracy, can detect low-concentration target molecules; shorten the detection time and improve the detection efficiency; easy to operate, suitable for non-professional use, widely used in medical diagnosis, food safety detection and environmental monitoring fields, has broad market prospect.
[0052] As shown in Figure 1 The IVD instrument of the present application includes a light source module (1), a sensor chip (2), a sample flow channel system (3), a signal acquisition and processing module (4), and an automatic control module (5).
[0053] Light source module (1): uses a wavelength-tunable laser to ensure the stability and tunability of the optical signal.
[0054] Sensor chip (2): the sensing unit of the chip is designed as an optical waveguide interference structure, which can effectively convert and amplify the optical phase signal change caused by the surface refractive index.
[0055] Sample flow channel system (3): uses microfluidic technology to realize rapid injection and circulation cleaning of the sample.
[0056] Signal acquisition and processing module (4): includes a high-sensitivity photodetector and a data processing algorithm, which can analyze the optical phase signal in real time.
[0057] Automation control module (5): realizes the automatic operation of the instrument through the embedded control system.
[0058] Working Principle Implementation
[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, the optical waveguide interference structure of the sensor chip (2) can enhance optical phase sensitivity. When the sample flows through the sensor surface, the target molecules bind to the capture molecules, causing a change in the refractive index, which in turn causes a shift in the optical phase. Through the signal acquisition and processing module (4), the change in optical phase can be monitored in real time, and the concentration of the target molecules can be calculated through data processing algorithms.
[0060] Correspondingly, the detection process of the device of the present invention includes the following steps:
[0061] Sample preparation: Perform necessary pretreatment on the sample to be tested (such as dilution, filtration, etc.).
[0062] Sample injection: The sample is injected into the sensor chip surface through the sample flow system (3).
[0063] Integrated optical waveguide excitation and signal acquisition: The light source module (1) excites the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide, and the signal acquisition and processing module (4) collects signal changes in real time.
[0064] Data processing and result output: Analyze signal changes through data processing algorithms and output detection results.
[0065] Automation control implementation
[0066] The automation control module (5) realizes the full automatic operation of the instrument through the embedded system, including sample injection, detection parameter setting, signal acquisition and processing, and result output. The user only needs to input the detection parameters through the touch screen, and the instrument will automatically complete the detection process.
[0067] Example
[0068] The IVD instrument of the present invention is described in detail below through specific examples.
[0069] Example 1
[0070] Design an IVD instrument based on integrated optical waveguide technology to detect certain disease markers (such as C-reactive protein) in the blood.
[0071] Sensor chip design: An optical waveguide interference structure on a silicon substrate is used as the sensing unit, and surface-modified antibodies are used as capture molecules.
[0072] Sample flow channel system: Using microfluidic technology, the sample injection volume is 10μL and the detection time is 5 minutes.
[0073] Detection sensitivity: can detect the concentration of C-reactive protein as low as 1 ng / mL.
[0074] Automatic operation: full-automatic detection is realized through embedded system, and the user only needs to input detection parameters to complete the detection.
[0075] Example 2
[0076] A portable IVD instrument is designed for on-site detection of pesticide residues in food.
[0077] Sensor chip design: the sensor unit is composed of silicon nitride sheet optical waveguide interference structure, which can specifically bind pesticide molecules.
[0078] Sample flow channel system: disposable microfluidic chip is used to avoid sample contamination.
[0079] Detection sensitivity: can detect pesticide residues as low as 0.1 μg / kg.
[0080] Automatic operation: the instrument has built-in detection program, and the user only needs to inject the sample to automatically complete the detection.
[0081] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An optical chip automated operation and reaction instrument device, characterized in that: Including light source module, sensor chip, sample flow system, signal acquisition and processing module and automation control module; The light source module provides a stable and adjustable light signal for exciting the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide; The sensor chip uses an integrated optical waveguide to form a sensing unit, which converts and amplifies the slight refractive index change on the optical waveguide surface caused by target molecules into a detectable optical phase signal; The sample flow channel system is used for sample injection, circulation and cleaning; The signal acquisition and processing module acquires optical phase signals in real time and outputs detection results after algorithm analysis; The automation control module is used for automated instrument operation to achieve sample injection, detection parameter setting and result output functions.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light source module provides a stable and adjustable optical signal, including a wavelength-tunable laser. The wavelength adjustment range of its output light signal is 400-1600nm, and the output power stability does not exceed ±0.5% / h. During the detection process, after the sample is injected into the surface of the sensor chip, the light source module excites the transmission mode of the on-chip optical waveguide and continuously provides light signals until signal acquisition is completed.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The sensor chip's sensing unit is an integrated optical waveguide structure that amplifies tiny refractive index changes on the waveguide surface into optical phase signals. During the detection process, target molecules in the sample first bind to capture molecules on the sensor surface, triggering a refractive index change that in turn produces an optical phase shift, completing the process from molecular binding to signal conversion.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The integrated optical waveguide structure is an on-chip optical waveguide interference structure, and the material of the integrated optical waveguide structure is silicon-based or silicon nitride-based. In the detection process, the integrated optical waveguide structure forms a transmission mode under the excitation of the optical signal, and generates an optical phase signal that can be collected after interacting with the sample molecules.
5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The sample flow channel system uses microfluidic technology and operates according to the following detection process steps: first, the sample is prepared and pre-treated by dilution, filtration, etc.; then the sample is injected with an injection volume of 1-50μL; then the sample is circulated, and the circulation flow rate can be adjusted within the range of 0.1-10μL / min; after the detection is completed, it is cleaned, and the inner wall of the flow channel is treated with anti-adsorption to ensure detection accuracy.
6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The signal acquisition and processing module includes a high-sensitivity photodetector and a data processing unit. During the detection process, the high-sensitivity photodetector collects the optical phase signal in real time after the light source excites the optical waveguide transmission mode. The data processing unit analyzes the optical phase offset using a preset algorithm and calculates the concentration of the target molecule, completing the process from signal acquisition to result calculation.
7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The automated control module includes an embedded control system and a human-computer interaction unit. During the detection process, the user first inputs the detection parameters through the touch screen, and the embedded control system then automatically controls sample injection, detection parameter setting, signal acquisition and processing, and result output, achieving fully automatic operation throughout the process.
8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that In the overall detection process, the modules work together in the following order: after the sample flow system completes sample preparation and injection, the light source module excites the optical waveguide transmission mode, the signal acquisition and processing module collects and analyzes the signal in real time, and the automation control module regulates the entire process and finally outputs the detection results.
9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that When the device performs multi-parameter detection, the sample flow system simultaneously injects samples containing multiple target molecules, the multiple sensing units on the sensor chip respectively bind to different target molecules, the signal acquisition and processing module synchronously collects and analyzes multiple optical phase signals, and the automation control module coordinates the modules to complete the multi-parameter detection process.
10. A detection method based on the device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The steps include: Pre-treating the sample to be tested by the pre-treatment unit of the sample flow channel system; The test parameters, including test duration and sample circulation flow rate, are input through the human-machine interface unit of the automation control module, and the test parameters are recorded and stored by the embedded control system; The automated control module controls the sample flow system and injects the pretreated sample into the sensor chip surface at an injection volume of 1-50 μL to ensure full contact between the sample and the sensor surface. The light source module is activated after sample injection, providing a stable and adjustable light signal to stimulate the transmission mode of the integrated optical waveguide on the sensor chip; The target molecules in the sample specifically bind to the capture molecules on the surface of the sensor chip, causing a change in the refractive index of the optical waveguide surface, which in turn causes an optical phase shift. The sensor chip converts and amplifies this weak change into a detectable optical phase signal; The high-sensitivity photodetector of the signal acquisition and processing module collects optical phase signals in real time and works continuously during the optical signal excitation to ensure signal integrity; The data processing unit of the signal acquisition and processing module analyzes the collected optical phase offset using a preset algorithm, calculates the concentration or presence of the target molecule, and generates preliminary detection results; After the test is completed, the sample flow channel system automatically starts the cleaning program to clean the sample flow channel and the surface of the sensor chip. The anti-adsorption treatment on the inner wall of the flow channel ensures thorough cleaning to prevent residual samples from interfering with subsequent tests. The automated control module displays the test results obtained from the data processing step through the human-computer interaction unit and stores or prints the results in a preset format; When multiple target molecules need to be detected simultaneously, the sample flow system simultaneously injects samples containing multiple target molecules. The multiple integrated optical waveguide interference structures on the sensor chip interact with different target molecules respectively. The signal acquisition and processing module synchronously collects and analyzes multiple optical phase signals. The automation control module coordinates the parallel processing of each step and finally outputs the detection results of multiple target molecules.