Contact Imaging Micrometric Particle Detection via Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical imaging techniques for biological diagnosis, such as flow cytometry and fluorescence molecular imaging, are expensive, complex, and invasive, with limited solid scanning angles and low detection efficiency, especially when using low-sensitivity sensors.
Innovation Solution
A contact imaging method that detects micrometric particles by allowing a drop of liquid containing the particles to evaporate, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio by forming a residual film that acts as a microlens, allowing detection with low-sensitivity sensors and enabling three-dimensional reconstruction of particle distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow cytometry or fluorescence molecular imaging is used for detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex optical systems and implements it using a simple CMOS sensor array in direct contact with the sample. By removing magnification optics and complex illumination systems, the invention achieves particle detection without requiring flow cytometry or fluorescence imaging equipment, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a low-cost CMOS sensor array instead of expensive specialized sensors. The sensor is placed in direct contact with the sample on a transparent substrate, eliminating the need for costly optical components. This approach uses inexpensive, readily available technology to achieve the detection function that previously required expensive instrumentation
2Measurement precision
If fluorescence imaging with filters is used to separate excitation and emission energy, then detection specificity is improved, but optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex optical filtering system entirely and replaces it with direct optical detection. Instead of using filters to separate excitation and emission wavelengths, the invention detects particles directly through their light scattering properties using a simple CMOS sensor, eliminating the need for complex optical path management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/optical filtering system with a direct electronic detection approach. Rather than using physical filters to separate wavelengths, the system uses image processing and pattern recognition algorithms to identify particles, replacing physical optical components with computational methods
3Device complexity
If contact imaging without magnification optics is used, then device simplicity is improved, but detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional imaging to three-dimensional detection by placing the sensor array in direct contact with the sample on a transparent substrate. This allows detection at multiple depths and creates a third dimension for particle identification, enabling precise detection without magnification optics through volumetric sampling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters by using the CMOS sensor's native pixel array directly for particle detection without optical magnification. By adjusting the sensor's readout parameters and using image processing algorithms, the system achieves precise particle detection through changes in detection parameters rather than optical magnification
4Ease of manufacture
If standard CMOS sensors are used for particle detection, then cost is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary concentration of particles through evaporation of the liquid medium before detection. By allowing the liquid to evaporate and concentrate the particles in a smaller volume, the system enhances the signal-to-noise ratio for subsequent detection by the CMOS sensor, enabling standard sensors to achieve adequate detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the sample from liquid to concentrated residue through evaporation. This parameter change concentrates the particles and enhances their optical signal, allowing standard CMOS sensors to detect them with acceptable signal-to-noise ratios without requiring high-sensitivity sensors
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
Significantly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and detection efficiency, allowing for clear detection of particles without the need for high-sensitivity sensors, and provides a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The method consists essentially in carrying out the measurement or measurements during or after the phase of evaporation of the drop of liquid in which the micrometric particles (bacteria, cells, beads, etc.) to be detected are found.
Implementation Method 2
forming a residual film that acts as a microlens, allowing detection with low-sensitivity sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
The general field of the invention is that of contact-imaging devices. The method relates to the optical detection of particles or organisms of micrometric or sub-micrometric size by means of such a contact-imaging device, said particles or organisms being immersed in a drop (G) of liquid, the detection being carried out by means of a matrix of photosensitive cells or photosites. The method comprises a detection step or series of detection steps carried out during the evaporation of the liquid drop. It may also comprise a detection step carried out after the liquid drop has evaporated. Under certain conditions, it enables the reconstruction of a three-dimensional distribution of the particles or organisms in the initial drop before evaporation.