Apparatus for detecting scattered light and fluorescent light

Abstract

The present specification relates to an apparatus for detecting scattered light and fluorescent light. The apparatus for detecting scattered light and fluorescent light may comprise: a light source unit for emitting light; a flow path unit which transfers particles, and which has a region where the particles meet the emitted light; a fluorescent light detection unit for detecting fluorescent light generated by emitting the light at the particles; a scattered light detection unit which is positioned on the same plane as the fluorescent light detection unit and which detects scattered light generated by emitting the light at the particles; a condensing mirror which is positioned in the direction opposite to the fluorescent light detection unit with respect to the flow path unit, and which condenses the fluorescent light detected by the fluorescent light detection unit; and an optical filter blocking the scattered light that is incident to the fluorescent light detection unit.

Description

Scattered light and fluorescence detection devices

[0001] The present embodiments relate to a scattered light and fluorescence detection device, and more specifically, to a scattered light and fluorescence detection device capable of detecting both scattered light and fluorescence.

[0002] In general, technologies for measuring bioaerosols (biological particles such as viruses, bacteria, and fungal spores) suspended in the air are important in various fields such as public health, environmental monitoring, and life science research.

[0003] In particular, technologies are being developed to detect both fluorescence and scattered light generated by irradiating bioaerosols with a laser to accurately determine not only the size of the bioaerosol but also its specific characteristics and concentration.

[0004] However, in order to measure bioaerosol, fluorescence and scattered light must be separated and received, but since the fluorescence detection unit and the scattering detection unit are separated, the system volume increases and assembly becomes difficult, which is a disadvantage in that it is difficult to commercialize.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems, and the technical task of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a scattered light and fluorescence detection device in which a fluorescence detection unit and a scattered light detection unit are positioned on the same plane.

[0006] In addition, embodiments of the present invention have as their technical task a scattered light and fluorescence detection device that specifies the formation location of a fluorescence detection unit.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0008] According to embodiments for solving the technical problems described above, a scattered light and fluorescence device may include a light source unit that irradiates light, a flow path unit that transports particles and forms an area where the particles and the irradiated light meet, a fluorescence detection unit that detects fluorescence generated by irradiating the particles with the light, a scattered light detection unit that is located on the same plane as the fluorescence detection unit and detects scattered light generated by irradiating the particles with the light, a light-collecting mirror that is located in an opposite direction from the fluorescence detection unit with respect to the flow path unit and collects fluorescence detected by the fluorescence detection unit, and an optical filter that blocks scattered light entering the fluorescence detection unit.

[0009] According to embodiments, the particle includes a first particle positioned at an upper end of the flow path and a second particle positioned at a lower end of the flow path, and the fluorescence detection unit may be positioned between a first position where fluorescence generated by irradiating the light to the first particle is collected by the collecting mirror and a second position where fluorescence generated by irradiating the light to the second particle is collected by the collecting mirror.

[0010] According to embodiments, the focus of the light may be formed inside the euro portion.

[0011] According to embodiments, the light collecting mirror may be formed into a spherical shape or an aspherical shape.

[0012] According to embodiments, when the radius of the condenser mirror is r, the center of the euro section can be formed between a position corresponding to r / 2 from the condenser mirror and a position corresponding to r from the condenser mirror.

[0013] According to embodiments, the optical filter may transmit wavelengths longer than the wavelength of the light and block wavelengths equal to the wavelength of the light.

[0014] According to embodiments, the optical filter may be formed between the fluorescence detection unit and the flow path unit.

[0015] According to embodiments, the light source unit may further include a stray light removal unit that receives light that does not encounter the particles among the light irradiated by the light source unit.

[0016] According to embodiments, the scattered light detection unit may be positioned at a certain distance from the fluorescence detection unit.

[0017] According to embodiments, by providing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device in which a fluorescence detection unit and a scattered light detection unit are positioned on the same plane, there is an effect of providing a high optical detection rate using a simple structure and an inexpensive optical system.

[0018] According to embodiments, by providing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device that specifies the formation location of a fluorescence detection unit, there is an effect that the amount of fluorescence light detected by the fluorescence detection unit can be efficiently increased.

[0019] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA section of Fig. 1.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section of Fig. 1.

[0023] Figure 4 is a plan view showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the position where the focus of light of the scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to the embodiments is formed.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the location of the fluorescence detection unit of the scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0028] The suffixes "module" and "part" used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if a detailed description of a related known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0029] In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0031] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0032] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a drawing showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA section of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section of Fig. 1.

[0035] The scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 corresponds to the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to embodiments may include a light source unit (100), a flow path unit (200), a light collection mirror (300), a fluorescence detection unit (400), a scattered light detection unit (500), and a stray light removal unit (600).

[0037] The light source unit (100) is configured to irradiate light, and the light irradiated by the light source unit (100) may be in the visible wavelength range. At this time, the light irradiated by the light source unit (100), as will be described later, may correspond to light that can generate fluorescence and scattered light by encountering particles transported within the flow path unit (200). For example, the light source unit (100) may correspond to a laser diode.

[0038] In addition, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments may further include a lens (101) to adjust the focus of light irradiated from the light source unit (100). That is, the device may further include a lens (101) that adjusts the refraction of light to adjust the position of the focus of the irradiated light. A detailed description thereof will be provided with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0039] The flow path (200) is configured to transport particles, and an area can be formed where light irradiated by the light source (100) and particles can meet each other. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, light irradiated by the light source (100) can meet particles transported within the flow path (200). At this time, the particles transported in the flow path (200) may correspond to bioaerosols floating in the air.

[0040] More specifically, the light irradiated by the light source unit (100) can encounter particles transported inside the flow path unit (200) in the area where the light collection mirror (300) is located. In addition, the flow path unit (200) can include a fan (201) to enable particles to be transported in one direction inside.

[0041] The condenser mirror (300) may be positioned in a direction facing the fluorescence detection unit (400). More specifically, the condenser mirror (300) may be positioned in an opposite direction to the fluorescence detection unit (400) with respect to the flow path (200). The condenser mirror (300) may be formed in a spherical or aspherical shape so that the fluorescence, which is the detection target of the fluorescence detection unit (400), may be condensed and the condensed fluorescence may be introduced into the fluorescence detection unit (400). A detailed description of the condenser mirror (300) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0042] The fluorescence detection unit (400) can detect fluorescence generated when light is irradiated on particles, and the scattered light detection unit (500) can detect scattered light generated when light is irradiated on particles. Fluorescence is a phenomenon in which a specific substance absorbs light and then emits light of lower energy (longer wavelength), and scattered light is a phenomenon in which light interacts with particles or molecules and is scattered at various angles.

[0043] Therefore, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments has the effect of simultaneously detecting fluorescence and scattered light generated when light irradiated from the light source unit (100) encounters particles moving inside the path unit (200) using the fluorescence detection unit (400) and the scattered light detection unit (500).

[0044] The fluorescence detection unit (400) may be formed at a position facing the light collection mirror (300). That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the fluorescence detection unit (400) may be positioned below the light collection mirror (300) so that all of the fluorescence collected by the light collection mirror (300) can be introduced.

[0045] The scattered light detection unit (500) can be positioned on the same plane as the fluorescence detection unit (400). That is, both the scattered light detection unit (500) and the fluorescence detection unit (400) can be formed on the same printed circuit board (PCB).

[0046] Therefore, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments has the effect of providing a simple structure and a high optical detection rate, especially at a low cost, by positioning the fluorescence detection unit (400) and the scattered light detection unit (500) on the same plane, unlike the conventional scattered light and fluorescence detection device, and in particular, providing a high optical detection rate by efficiently setting the position of the focus of the light irradiated by the light source unit (100) and the positional relationship between the light collection mirror (300) and the flow path unit (200) or the fluorescence detection unit (400). A detailed description thereof will be given with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0047] The light removal unit (600) is configured to remove light that does not encounter particles located inside the path section (200) among the light irradiated from the light source section (100). That is, light that does not encounter particles among the light irradiated from the light source section (100) and thus does not generate fluorescence or scattered light is incident on the light removal unit (600) and can be removed inside the light removal unit (600).

[0048] Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments. Fig. 5 is a side view showing a scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0049] The scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 corresponds to the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0050] Hereinafter, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, light irradiated from the light source unit (100) can encounter particles located inside the flow path unit (200) by the lens (101). More specifically, the focus of the light irradiated from the light source unit (100) can be located inside the flow path unit (200) by the lens (101). A detailed description thereof will be provided with reference to FIG. 6.

[0052] When light is irradiated on a particle, both fluorescence and scattered light may be generated depending on the wavelength of the light and the characteristics of the particle. At this time, the generated fluorescence may move directly to the fluorescence detection unit (400) or may be reflected by the light-collecting mirror (300) and move to the fluorescence detection unit (400). That is, the fluorescence detected by the fluorescence detection unit (400) may include fluorescence generated by irradiating light on the particle and moving directly to the fluorescence detection unit (400), and fluorescence generated by irradiating light on the particle and moving to the light-collecting mirror (300), reflected by the light-collecting mirror (300), and moving to the fluorescence detection unit (400).

[0053] Therefore, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments has the effect of increasing the amount of fluorescence light detected by the fluorescence detection unit (400) by the light collection mirror (300).

[0054] And, unlike fluorescence, the generated scattered light can move directly to the scattered light detection unit (500). That is, the scattered light detected by the scattered light detection unit (500) can include only the scattered light that moves directly to the scattered light detection unit (500) among the scattered light generated when light is irradiated on the particle.

[0055] At this time, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments may further include an optical filter (410) to prevent scattered light generated when light is irradiated on particles from moving to the light collection mirror (300) and reflected from the light collection mirror (300) from entering the fluorescence detection unit (400). That is, the optical filter (410) may allow fluorescence entering the fluorescence detection unit (400) to pass and block scattered light entering the fluorescence detection unit (400). For example, the optical filter (410) may include a filter using a dielectric coating or a filter that absorbs a selective wavelength.

[0056] More specifically, the optical filter (410) can transmit wavelengths corresponding to the fluorescence wavelength and block wavelengths corresponding to the scattered light wavelength. At this time, the fluorescence wavelength may correspond to 500 nm to 600 nm, and the scattered light wavelength may correspond to 405 nm to 450 nm.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the position where the light focus of the scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments is formed. More specifically, FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the difference in the area where light and particles can collide according to the movement of the position of the light focus.

[0058] The euro section (200) illustrated in Fig. 6 corresponds to the euro section (200) illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0059] First, referring to (a) of Fig. 6, (a) of Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a case where the focus of light is formed at the center of the flow path (200). Assuming that the width of the flow path (200) is W, the height of the flow path (200) is H, and the vertical angle of the light irradiated by the light source (100) is a, the area S where the light meets the particles located inside the flow path (200) can satisfy the following mathematical expression 1.

[0060]

[0061] And, referring to (b) of FIG. 6, (b) of FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a case where the focus of light is formed on the right side of the flow path (200). More specifically, (b) of FIG. 6 shows a case where the focus of light is located inside the flow path (200) and at the same time is located the farthest from the light source (100). Similarly, assuming that the width of the flow path (200) is W, the height of the flow path (200) is H, and the vertical angle of the light irradiated by the light source (100) is a, the area S' where the light meets the particles located inside the flow path (200) can satisfy the following mathematical expression 2.

[0062]

[0063] Finally, referring to (c) of FIG. 6, (c) of FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a case where the focus of light is formed on the left side of the flow path (200). More specifically, (c) of FIG. 6 shows a case where the focus of light is located inside the flow path (200) and at the same time closest to the light source (100). Similarly, assuming that the width of the flow path (200) is W, the height of the flow path (200) is H, and the vertical angle of the light irradiated by the light source (100) is a, the area S" where the light meets the particles located inside the flow path (200) can satisfy the following mathematical expression 3.

[0064]

[0065] According to mathematical expressions 1 to 3, the position at which the focus of the light irradiated from the light source unit (100) is formed closer or farther from the light source unit (100) than the center of the flow path unit (200) may correspond to a case where the area where the light meets the particles located inside the flow path unit (200) is large. That is, assuming that the flow rate of particles moving inside the flow path unit (200) is the same, the area where the light meets the particles located inside the flow path unit (200) may be twice as large when the position at which the focus of the light irradiated from the light source unit (100) is in front or behind the center of the flow path unit (200) than when the position at which the focus of the light irradiated from the light source unit (100) is in front or behind the center of the flow path unit (200).

[0066] Therefore, it is preferable that the light irradiated by the light source unit (100) has a focus formed inside the flow path unit (200), and among these, it may be preferable that the focus is formed close to or far from the light source unit (100) with respect to the center of the flow path unit (200).

[0067] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the location of the fluorescence detection unit of the scattered light and fluorescence detection device according to embodiments.

[0068] The euro section (200) illustrated in Fig. 7 corresponds to the euro section (200) illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. The condenser mirror (300) illustrated in Fig. 7 corresponds to the condenser mirror (300) illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0069] Referring to Fig. 7, when the distance from the condenser mirror (300) to the center (center) of the flow path (200) is v and the radius of the condenser mirror (300) is r, the center of the flow path (200) can be located between r / 2, which is the focus of the condenser mirror (300), and r, which is the radius of the condenser mirror (300). At this time, the condenser mirror (300) can be formed in a spherical shape or an aspherical shape.

[0070] Accordingly, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments has the effect that, by arranging the center of the guiding portion (200) between r / 2, which is the focus of the condensing mirror (300), and r, which is the radius of the condensing mirror (300), even if the point at which scattered light and fluorescence are generated is changed up and down, all generated scattered light and fluorescence can reach the scattered light detection unit (500) and the fluorescence detection unit (400), respectively.

[0071] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the position where the fluorescence detection unit (400) is formed may be located between the first position and the second position. At this time, the first position may correspond to a position where fluorescence generated by irradiating light to the first particle (white dot) located at the upper end of the flow path (200) is reflected by the collecting mirror (300), and the reflected fluorescence is collected again. In addition, the second position may correspond to a position where fluorescence generated by irradiating light to the second particle (hatched dot) located at the lower end of the flow path (200) is reflected by the collecting mirror (300), and the reflected fluorescence is collected again.

[0072] That is, the location of the fluorescence generated varies depending on the location of the particles existing inside the euro section (200), and similarly, the location at which the generated fluorescence is reflected and collected by the light-collecting mirror (300) may also vary.

[0073] Therefore, the scattered light and fluorescence detection device (1000) according to the embodiments has the effect of more efficiently increasing the amount of fluorescence light entering the fluorescence detection unit (400) by placing the fluorescence detection unit (400) between the position where fluorescence generated by particles located at the upper end of the flow path (200) is collected and the position where fluorescence generated by particles located at the lower end is collected.

[0074] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed above has been provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the present invention. While the above description has been made with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art can utilize the individual components described in the above-described embodiments in combination with each other.

[0075] Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A light source that irradiates light; A path portion in which particles are transported and an area where the particles and the irradiated light meet is formed; A fluorescence detection unit that detects fluorescence generated by irradiating the light onto the particles; A scattered light detection unit positioned on the same plane as the fluorescence detection unit and detecting scattered light generated when the light is irradiated to the particle; A light-collecting mirror positioned in the opposite direction of the fluorescence detection unit based on the above-mentioned euro portion and which collects the fluorescence detected by the fluorescence detection unit; and A scattered light and fluorescence detection device comprising an optical filter that blocks scattered light entering the fluorescence detection unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above particles are, It comprises a first particle positioned at the upper end of the euro portion and a second particle positioned at the lower end of the euro portion, The above fluorescence detection unit, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the fluorescence generated by irradiating the first particle with the light is located between a first position where the fluorescence is collected by the collecting mirror and a second position where the fluorescence generated by irradiating the second particle with the light is collected by the collecting mirror.

3. In paragraph 1, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the focus of the light is formed inside the euro section.

4. In paragraph 1, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the above-mentioned light collecting mirror is formed into a spherical shape or an aspherical shape.

5. In paragraph 4, If the radius of the above collecting mirror is r, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the center of the above-mentioned euro portion is formed between a position corresponding to r / 2 from the above-mentioned light collecting mirror and a position corresponding to r from the above-mentioned light collecting mirror.

6. In paragraph 1, The above optical filter, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device that transmits wavelengths longer than the wavelength of the light and blocks wavelengths equal to the wavelength of the light.

7. In paragraph 1, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the optical filter is formed between the fluorescence detection unit and the euro unit.

8. In paragraph 1, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device further comprising a light removing unit that receives light that does not encounter the particles among the light irradiated by the light source unit.

9. In paragraph 1, A scattered light and fluorescence detection device, wherein the scattered light detection unit is positioned at a certain distance from the fluorescence detection unit.

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