Biochip Imaging System Using UV Absorption for Marker-Free Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biochip detection methods rely heavily on expensive and sensitive fluorescent or radioactive markers, which introduce biases and have short lifespans, making the hybridization process complex and costly, and existing techniques struggle to achieve sufficient contrast for detecting short nucleotide chains due to the small dimensions of biochemical elements on biochips.
Innovation Solution
A direct detection system using the intrinsic optical properties of biochemical elements, specifically UV absorption, with a biochip design that includes a planar support with biochemical elements arranged in spots, illuminated by a light source and detected using a selective radiation detector, enhancing contrast through reflective or transmissive modes and optimized optical paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent or radioactive markers are used for detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the marker labeling step from the detection process. Instead of using fluorescent or radioactive markers that require complex incorporation steps, the invention directly detects the intrinsic optical properties of the biochemical elements themselves, thereby simplifying the hybridization process while maintaining detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The biochemical elements on the biochip serve their dual function: they perform their biological recognition function and simultaneously provide their intrinsic optical signal for detection. The nucleotide chains themselves, without external markers, provide the detection signal through their optical properties, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate labeling procedures
2Measurement precision
If fluorescent or radioactive markers are used for detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, short-lived radioactive and fluorescent markers with a cost-effective approach using the intrinsic optical properties of the biochemical elements themselves. This eliminates the need to purchase and handle costly marker compounds, reducing manufacturing and operational costs while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the costly marker labeling step from the process. By detecting the intrinsic optical properties of the biochemical elements directly, the system eliminates expenses related to marker acquisition, incorporation reagents, and specialized detection equipment required for marker-based systems
3Ease of manufacture
If direct UV absorption detection is used, then marker cost is eliminated, but detection sensitivity decreases due to small dimensions of biochemical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct transmission detection to reflection-mode detection, utilizing the reflective properties of the substrate to enhance the optical path length. This dimensional change in detection geometry allows insufficiently absorbing short nucleotide chains to generate detectable signals by multiple reflections, thereby maintaining detection sensitivity without requiring markers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from direct transmission absorption to reflection-enhanced absorption. By modifying the optical detection geometry and utilizing substrate reflectivity, the system amplifies the weak absorption signal from short nucleotide chains, enabling sensitive detection of biochemical elements with lengths less than 100 bases
4Measurement precision
If markers are used, then detection signal is enhanced, but additional marking steps are required increasing process time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming marker incorporation and washing steps from the hybridization process. By using intrinsic optical detection, the system requires only a single detection step after hybridization, significantly reducing total process time while maintaining adequate detection signal
Solution Approach 2:
The biochemical elements provide their own detection signal through their intrinsic optical properties, eliminating the need for separate marker incorporation steps. This self-detection capability streamlines the workflow by removing multiple sequential steps (labeling, washing, detection) and replacing them with a simplified single detection step
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
This approach eliminates the need for markers, reduces costs, and achieves sensitive detection of biochemical elements on biochips by leveraging UV absorption, providing improved contrast and sensitivity without additional marking steps.
Implementation Method 1
A direct detection system using the intrinsic optical properties of biochemical elements, specifically UV absorption
Implementation Method 2
the detection device is arranged to detect the beam reflected or transmitted by said upper face of the biochip support
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for imaging biochemical elements comprises a biochip (10) comprising a substantially planar substrate (11) and, on an upper face (11a), a plurality of spots, on which biochemical elements (12) are placed, a source (20) of a light beam for illuminating said upper face of the biochip, and a detection device (30) for detecting radiation emitted by said upper face. The source and/or detection device exhibit great selectivity at at least one wavelength (?i) of interest lying within an ultraviolet radiation band. The biochip substrate has a reflectivity or transmission coefficient at the wavelength of interest, the lower limit of which is of the order of 10%.