Assay Chip Optical System for Single-Molecule Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bioassays require large, expensive equipment and complex techniques for detecting single molecules, limiting accessibility and increasing costs, especially in resource-constrained settings.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable assay chip system with a disposable chip and a multi-use instrument that uses luminescent tags and optical elements for parallel analysis of biological samples, enabling efficient detection and sequencing of nucleic acid molecules without the need for bulky equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional bioassay equipment is used for single-molecule detection, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection task into multiple independent photodetectors arranged in an array, where each photodetector monitors a specific region. This segmentation allows single-molecule detection across a large field of view without requiring a single complex high-resolution detector, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple copies of simple photodetectors instead of a single complex detector. By arranging many identical, relatively simple photodetector elements in an array, the system achieves comprehensive single-molecule detection capability across the entire assay chip surface, reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional laser light sources are used for luminescent tag illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential illumination function from conventional laser systems by using simpler light sources (such as LEDs or laser diodes) combined with optical filters and dichroic mirrors. This extraction approach provides sufficient excitation intensity for luminescent tags while dramatically reducing the overall instrument volume and cost compared to full laser systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces bulky mechanical laser illumination systems with more compact optical components including LEDs, laser diodes, and planar optical elements like dichroic mirrors and bandpass filters. This substitution maintains adequate illumination intensity for excitation while significantly reducing the physical footprint of the instrument.
3Measurement precision
If conventional detection optics are used for luminescence collection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions into single planar components. Dichroic mirrors simultaneously reflect excitation wavelengths to the sample and transmit emission wavelengths to detectors. Bandpass filters combine wavelength selection with spatial positioning. This merging of functions into integrated planar optical elements maintains detection sensitivity while reducing the number of separate optical components and their alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from three-dimensional optical path arrangements to two-dimensional planar optical components. By using planar dichroic mirrors and filters, the patent achieves complex wavelength and spatial multiplexing in a flattened configuration, reducing vertical space requirements and simplifying the overall optical system architecture while maintaining detection sensitivity.
4Reliability
If bulk sample analysis is performed, then detection reliability is improved, but sample volume requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assay chip is divided into multiple discrete wells or reaction chambers, each capable of holding and analyzing small sample volumes independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable detection by distributing the analysis across many parallel channels, each requiring minimal sample volume, rather than requiring a large bulk sample for single-channel analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from analyzing one large bulk sample in three dimensions to analyzing many small samples arranged in a two-dimensional array of wells. This dimensional transition enables parallel processing of multiple small-volume samples, achieving overall reliable detection statistics while requiring far less total sample volume than conventional bulk analysis methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates rapid, cost-effective, and accessible analysis of biological samples, allowing for single-molecule detection and sequencing, reducing equipment costs and enabling analysis in diverse settings, including remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
Some bioassays are performed by tagging samples with luminescent tags that emit light of a particular wavelength. The tags are illuminated with an excitation light source to cause luminescence
Implementation Method 2
the luminescent light is detected with a photodetector to quantify the amount of luminescent light emitted by the tags
Implementation Method 3
at least one element that directs the emission energy in a particular direction, wherein the at least one element is selected from the group consisting of a refractive element, a diffractive element, a plasmonic element and a resonator
Implementation Method 4
at least one element that directs the emission energy in a particular direction, wherein the at least one element is selected from the group consisting of a refractive element, a diffractive element, a plasmonic element and a resonator
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.