Flow Through Waveguide for Sensitive Emission Light Gathering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Integrating Waveguide Sensor technologies face limitations in detecting low concentrations of matter within a sample due to restricted sample volume in solid phase implementations and inefficient emission light gathering in liquid phase implementations, particularly in flow-through configurations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid phase implementation of the Integrating Waveguide Sensor where the sample flows through a container acting as a waveguide, with a light source illuminating the sample perpendicularly, and optical elements like lenses and filters enhancing signal collection and reducing noise, allowing for efficient detection of luminescence, fluorescence, and absorbance signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If solid phase implementation with emission reagents attached to waveguide surface is used, then emission light gathering efficiency is improved, but sample volume is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional solid-phase configuration by implementing a liquid-phase flow-through system where the sample solution surrounds the waveguide rather than being restricted to the waveguide interior. This inversion allows the sample to flow continuously past the waveguide surface, maintaining high emission light gathering efficiency while eliminating sample volume restrictions.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide serves multiple functions: it acts as both the optical guiding structure and the surface for emission reagent attachment, while simultaneously allowing liquid sample flow around it. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both efficient light gathering and unrestricted sample volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If liquid phase implementation with sample inside waveguide is used, then sample volume flexibility is improved, but emission light gathering efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the liquid-phase configuration by placing the waveguide inside the sample solution rather than containing the sample. This inversion allows the sample to flow freely with volume flexibility while the waveguide maintains its position for efficient emission light gathering from reagents attached to its surface.
3Volume of stationary object
If flow through configuration with sample surrounding waveguide is used, then sample volume flexibility is improved, but emission light gathering efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the flow-through configuration by placing the waveguide centrally within the sample solution path rather than having the sample flow inside a channel. This inversion maintains sample volume flexibility while optimizing the waveguide's position for maximum emission light gathering efficiency from surrounding reagents.
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
Enables the detection of very low concentrations of absorption and emission reagents with improved sensitivity and ease of use by efficiently gathering and guiding emission light to the detector, facilitating the analysis of various samples, including liquids and biological materials.
Implementation Method 1
a flow through waveguide that can be efficient in gathering and guiding the emission light to the detector
Implementation Method 2
a fluorometer that comprises one or more flow through waveguides... an excitation light source and a sensitive detection system to detect the change of both the excitation and emission signals
Implementation Method 3
The excitation and emission signals are sent to the detector via a set of lenses and filters
Data Source
AI summary
A luminometer is provided comprising a flow through waveguide and one or more detectors. The flow through waveguide has at least two openings and the sample is free to enter from one opening and exit from the other. The flow through waveguide can be made of material that guides emission light to a bottom end of the flow through waveguide. One or more detectors may be provided which detect the emission light coming out of the bottom of the flow through waveguide. A fluorometer/photometer is also provided that comprises a flow through waveguide, one or more excitation light sources, and one or more optical detectors. The flow through waveguide has a hollow region to hold the sample. The excitation light is introduced at an angle or perpendicular to one surface of the flow through waveguide. The flow through waveguide is made of material that can guide absorption and/or emission light to the bottom end of the flow through waveguide. There are one or more detectors that detect the emission light coming out of the bottom of the flow through waveguide.