Fluorescence Biosensor Charge Integration Eliminates Optical Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence biosensors are large, expensive, and inefficient due to weak fluorescent signals and the need for complex wavelength discrimination systems, leading to long scanning times and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence biosensor with a controller that cyclically activates a light source and connects a photodetector to a charge integrator circuit without resetting, allowing for accumulation of charges from fluorescent radiation and reducing the need for wavelength filtering, enabling increased sensitivity and miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence biosensors use wavelength discrimination systems to detect fluorescent radiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex wavelength discrimination system (including dichroic mirrors and filters) from the conventional biosensor design. By using a photodetector that can directly distinguish between stimulating light and fluorescent radiation through temporal gating and charge integration, the invention removes unnecessary optical filtering components while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical mechanical filtering system with an electronic detection system. Instead of using physical optical filters and dichroic mirrors to separate wavelengths, the invention uses a photodetector with electronic charge integration and temporal gating to distinguish between stimulating light and fluorescent signals, substituting mechanical optical components with electronic processing.
2Measurement precision
If conventional biosensors scan each sensor element serially to detect multiple analytes, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to long scanning times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into parallel channels. Each sensor element in the array can be detected simultaneously through parallel charge integration circuits, eliminating the need for serial scanning. The segmentation of the detection architecture allows multiple analytes to be detected at the same time, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining precision through dedicated charge integration for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous charge integration at the photodetector output throughout the measurement period. Instead of sequential scanning with interruptions, the charge integration circuit continuously accumulates signal charges from all sensor elements simultaneously, enabling continuous detection action across the entire array without interruption or serial switching.
3Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence biosensors use expensive light sources and wavelength filtering, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical filtering components with simpler, more affordable electronic detection circuits. The charge integration circuit and temporal gating electronics provide wavelength discrimination functionality at a lower cost than traditional optical filters, making the biosensor more cost-effective to manufacture while maintaining detection precision.
4Measurement precision
If conventional biosensors use complex optical elements for wavelength discrimination, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulky optical filtering elements (dichroic mirrors, filters) from the biosensor design. By extracting these components and replacing them with integrated electronic charge integration circuits, the invention significantly reduces the overall device volume while maintaining the ability to discriminate between wavelengths through electronic processing.
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
The solution enhances sensitivity to fluorescent radiation, allowing for the use of cheaper light sources and eliminating the need for expensive wavelength filtering, leading to a more compact and cost-effective biosensor system.
Implementation Method 1
The light source 32 emits light 42 of wavelength λ1, which is a stimulating wavelength for the fluorescent labels (bound to the analytes 40a and 40c). The light source 32 is positioned so that the light 42 it emits falls upon the sensor elements 37a, 37b and 37c (and any fluorescently labeled analytes bound thereto). It will be appreciated that there may be some additional optical elements (e.g., lens, lightguide, etc.) disposed between the light source 32 and the sensor elements 37a, 37b and 37c.
Implementation Method 2
The photodetector 36 comprises a plurality of pixels 44a, 44b and 44c, each of which is positioned to detect the radiation emitted from a given sensor element 37a, 37b and 37c.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence detector includes a light source being positioned so that in use, radiation emitted therefrom falls on one or more fluorescing species, and a photodetector being switchably connectable between a charge integrator device and a charge disposal device. The photodetector is positionable to detect fluorescent radiation from the fluorescing species. A controller communicates with the light source and the photodetector, and is operable in a cyclic manner to activate the light source to emit radiation and connect the photodetector to the charge disposal device for a first period of time, and connect the photodetector to the charge integrator device for a second period of time after the first period. The charge integrator device is not reset from one cycle to the next.