Biosensor Collimator Array for Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosensors, particularly microarrays, face challenges with low spatial resolution and optical cross-talk issues, which hinder the accurate detection of signals generated by analyte-probe interactions due to bulky, fragile, or expensive optical systems and inefficient light management.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor apparatus featuring a probe carrier with a substrate and transparent windows, combined with an optical system using collimators that prevent light deviation beyond a threshold, and a sensor with pixels optically coupled through the collimators, along with a filter and transmissive layer to manage excitation radiation and reduce cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical systems are used in biosensors, then detection capability is achieved, but spatial resolution is low and optical cross-talk occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent collimators, each corresponding to a specific pixel. This segmentation isolates the light path for each pixel, preventing optical cross-talk between adjacent detection elements while maintaining high spatial resolution for each individual channel.
Solution Approach 2:
Each collimator is designed with specific local optical properties (aperture size, focal length, acceptance angle) optimized for its corresponding pixel's detection requirements. This local optimization ensures that each pixel receives light only from its designated probe location, eliminating cross-talk while achieving high spatial resolution.
2Reliability
If conventional optical systems are used, then light detection is possible, but the system becomes bulky and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator array is integrated directly with the pixel array in a unified structure, merging the optical conditioning element (collimators) with the detection element (pixels). This integration eliminates the need for separate, bulky optical components and reduces structural complexity while improving mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system transitions from a three-dimensional arrangement of separate components to a two-dimensional planar integration of collimators and pixels. This dimensional reduction simplifies the overall structure, reduces fragility, and enables more compact biosensor designs without compromising detection capability.
3Productivity
If standard optical systems are used, then signal detection is achieved, but light management is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Collimators are positioned to pre-condition and directionalize light before it reaches the pixels, ensuring that only light within the acceptable angular range enters each pixel. This preliminary optical conditioning maximizes light utilization efficiency and reduces energy loss from stray or off-axis light.
Solution Approach 2:
The collimators modify key optical parameters (directionality, angular distribution, spatial confinement) of the light before detection. By controlling the acceptance angle and directional properties of incident light, the system optimizes light coupling efficiency to pixels and minimizes energy loss, thereby improving overall detection efficiency.
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
Enhances the spatial resolution and reduces optical cross-talk, allowing for more accurate and efficient detection of luminescence signals from analyte-probe interactions, improving the overall performance and cost-effectiveness of biosensors.
Implementation Method 1
the collimators are configured to essentially prevent light from passing if a deviation of a propagation direction of the light from an optical axis of the collimators is greater than a threshold
Implementation Method 2
a transparent window across an opening of each of the holes, wherein the transparent window closes the opening
Implementation Method 3
the optical system further comprises a filter, wherein the filter is configured to block at least a portion of the excitation radiation
Implementation Method 4
a sensor comprising a plurality of pixels configured to detect the signal; wherein the collimators are configured to essentially prevent light from passing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus comprising: a probe carrier comprising: a first substrate comprising a first plurality of through holes in the first substrate, a transparent window attached to the first substrate and across an opening of each of the first plurality of through holes, wherein the transparent window closes the opening; and probes attached to one or more locations on the transparent window, wherein interaction between the probes and an analyte generates a signal; a second substrate comprising a second plurality of through holes in the second substrate, wherein the second plurality of through holes are configured as a plurality of collimators; a sensor comprising a plurality of pixels configured to detect the signal.