Capillary Array Asymmetry for Crosstalk Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capillary electrophoresis devices experience crosstalk issues due to signal leakage between channels, leading to reduced analysis accuracy and sensitivity, where signals from one channel are incorrectly measured in another, causing pseudo signals and interfering with independent sample analysis.
Innovation Solution
The capillary array is positioned such that the midpoint of any two light emission points is shifted away from the optical axis of the optical system, preventing ghost images from overlapping with main images and thus eliminating crosstalk without requiring a reduction in optical system reflectance or increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the capillary array is positioned with the midpoint of any two light emission points on the optical axis, then the optical system can efficiently collect light signals, but ghost images overlap with main images causing crosstalk between channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately shifting the capillary array position so that the midpoint of any two light emission points is offset from the optical axis. This asymmetric positioning prevents ghost images (which form symmetrically opposite to light emission points) from overlapping with main images, thereby eliminating crosstalk between adjacent detection channels while maintaining efficient light collection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the optical system reflectance is reduced to prevent ghost images, then crosstalk is eliminated, but the cost and complexity of the optical system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the capillary array relative to the optical axis. By adjusting this geometric parameter (shifting the array position), the system eliminates ghost image overlap without modifying optical components, their reflectance properties, or adding complex anti-reflective coatings, thereby avoiding increased cost and complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the capillary array is shifted from the optical axis, then ghost images are separated from main images eliminating crosstalk, but light collection efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning creates a geometric relationship where ghost images form at positions that do not coincide with adjacent light emission points. This asymmetric arrangement simultaneously achieves crosstalk elimination and maintains adequate light collection by ensuring the optical system still captures sufficient emitted light from each capillary
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 configuration effectively avoids crosstalk, ensuring accurate and independent analysis of samples by separating main and ghost images, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and dynamic range of the analysis without increasing costs or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an image of the emission thereof is formed on an imaging device via an optical system such as a lens
Implementation Method 2
an image of the emission thereof is formed on an imaging device via an optical system such as a lens
Implementation Method 3
a midpoint of any two light emission points among the light emission points being shifted from an optical axis of the optical system
Data Source
AI summary
In order to avoid crosstalk between images by a simple method, an optical system through which lights emitted from a plurality of light emission points pass, and a measurement unit that measures lights imaged by the optical system are provided, and a midpoint of two arbitrary light emission points among the light emission points is shifted away from a center of the optical system. More specifically, the center of the optical system exists outside a light emission point group consisting of the plurality of the light emission points. With the above configuration, main images and ghost images are separated each other, and thus, it is possible to avoid crosstalk caused by ghosting and to correctly analyze emissions from the plurality of the light emission points.