Flat Panel Detector for Gel Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gel and blot imaging techniques using film emulsion and CCD cameras face limitations such as non-linear response, limited dynamic range, high cost, large size, and inefficiencies in capturing chemiluminescent signals, which result in time-consuming and expensive imaging processes.
Innovation Solution
A flat panel imaging system utilizing a two-dimensional light-sensitive detector array with an amorphous silicon photodetector array that directly captures photons from gel or blot samples, eliminating the need for costly optics and enabling efficient chemiluminescence, fluorescence, and colorimetric imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If film emulsion is used for chemiluminescent detection, then light collection efficiency is maximized, but the response is non-linear and dynamic range is limited requiring multiple exposures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a CCD camera to create a digital copy of the chemiluminescent signal instead of relying on film emulsion. The CCD sensor captures the light distribution as electrical charges, providing a linear response across a wide dynamic range while maintaining the light collection efficiency through direct optical coupling with the blot.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from film density (non-linear) to electrical charge accumulation (linear). By using a CCD sensor with controlled integration time and gain settings, the system achieves both high light collection efficiency and linear response across multiple orders of magnitude of signal intensity.
2Measurement precision
If CCD cameras are used to capture chemiluminescent signals, then digital imaging is achieved, but the sequential read-out requires long exposure times and cooling to reduce noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into parallel pixel elements that can be read out simultaneously or in rapid succession. The CCD array is divided into multiple pixels that capture different spatial locations of the chemiluminescent signal, allowing the entire image to be acquired in a single exposure without requiring sequential scanning of each pixel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary cooling of the CCD sensor before the experiment to reduce thermal noise floor. This preliminary action ensures that the sensor is ready to capture weak chemiluminescent signals with minimal noise, eliminating the need for continuous cooling during the experiment and reducing overall measurement time.
3Illumination intensity
If high efficiency optical lenses are used to focus the large blot to small CCD chips, then light collection efficiency is improved, but the system cost and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical focusing function from a complex lens system and replaces it with a direct coupling approach. Instead of using expensive high-efficiency lenses to focus light from a large blot onto a small CCD chip, the system uses a flat CCD array that directly contacts or is in close proximity to the blot, eliminating the need for complex optical focusing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric relationship from a point-to-point focusing (3D optical path) to a planar direct coupling (2D contact). By arranging the CCD pixels in a flat array that matches the blot geometry, the system achieves uniform light collection across the entire detection area without requiring complex lens focusing, thereby reducing optical system complexity and cost.
4Productivity
If linear scanner with multiple linear sensor arrays is used, then scanning time is reduced, but the transient behavior of chemiluminescence changes during scanning introducing artificial gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous illumination of the entire blot area during the detection process. Unlike sequential scanning methods that illuminate one region at a time, the system continuously illuminates the entire blot with uniform light distribution, ensuring that the chemiluminescent signal is captured in a stable, non-transient state without artificial gradients introduced by scanning motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary uniform illumination of the entire blot before capturing the chemiluminescent signal. This preliminary action ensures that the light distribution is uniform and stable across the entire detection area before the actual measurement begins, eliminating the need for sequential scanning and the associated transient effects.
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 system achieves improved sensitivity, dynamic range, and quantum efficiency, reducing image capture time to less than 10 seconds, increasing sensitivity, and allowing for infinite dynamic range, while minimizing the need for costly optics and reagents, thus enhancing workflow and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a flat panel detector comprising an array of photodiodes and transistors that collect light generated from the gel sample
Implementation Method 2
In chemiluminescent detection, a blot is incubated with a substrate that will luminesce when exposed to a reporter on the antibody
Implementation Method 3
In fluorescent detection, a fluorescently labeled stain or probe is excited by light and the emission of the excitation is then detected by a photosensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for generating a digital image in fluorescence gel imaging is disclosed. The method includes providing a gel sample and placing the gel sample on a flat panel detector having array of photodiodes and transistors that collect light generated from the gel sample. The gel sample is illuminated using a light source integrated into the flat panel imaging system and light emitted by the gel sample responsive to an excitation of the gel sample by light provided by the light source is then collected, with the light emitted by the gel sample being collected by the array of photodiodes of the flat panel detector and converted to electric charges to generate light data. The light data is then processed to generate a digital image of the gel sample.