Fluorescence Detection Device Using LED Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanning light microscopes have limitations, including the ability to address only a small portion of a sample at a time due to a small focal point and engineering challenges associated with moving the light source, which increases costs and complicates concurrent measurements of multiple fluorescent labels with different excitation and emission wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
An optical system using a non-lasing light source that illuminates a larger area of a sample, such as a microscope slide or chip, and an imaging system capable of capturing multiple excitation and emission wavelengths, incorporating light emitting diodes and optical bandpass filters to facilitate the detection of fluorescent labels on nucleic acid templates, allowing for simultaneous detection of multiple labels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser light source creating a small focal point is used, then measurement precision is improved, but the area of sample that can be addressed at one time is limited and device complexity increases due to moving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function into multiple stationary light sources arranged in arrays, where each source illuminates a specific region. This allows simultaneous illumination of multiple sample areas without requiring mechanical movement, resolving the contradiction between precision and coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point focal approach to a planar array of light sources, effectively moving from one-dimensional scanning to two-dimensional simultaneous illumination. This dimensional change allows multiple measurement points to be addressed concurrently across the sample surface.
2Measurement precision
If a laser light source creating a small focal point is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to moving mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the light source to scan across the sample, the patent inverts the approach by using multiple stationary light sources that simultaneously illuminate different regions. This eliminates complex moving mechanisms while maintaining measurement precision through the array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with a static optical array. The movement function is substituted by having multiple fixed light sources and detectors arranged in corresponding arrays, eliminating mechanical complexity while achieving the same scanning objective through parallel stationary elements.
3Device complexity
If a conventional fluorometer designed for single wavelength is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the capability to perform multiple-label experiments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by incorporating arrays of light sources and detectors that can operate at multiple wavelengths simultaneously. The system can detect multiple fluorescent labels with different excitation and emission wavelengths using the same hardware configuration, enabling versatile multi-label experiments without requiring separate instruments.
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 efficient detection of fluorescent labels across larger sample areas and multiple labels with reduced engineering complexity and cost, improving the capability for multiple-label experiments and biological detection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a non-lasing light source (preferably a light emitting diode) which emits light suitable for causing visible fluorescence of fluorescent compounds
Implementation Method 2
a lens which collects visible fluorescence emitted by said fluorescent compounds
Implementation Method 3
a charge coupled device positioned such that said collected visible fluorescence passes through toward the charge coupled device
Implementation Method 4
incorporating light emitting diodes and optical bandpass filters to facilitate the detection of fluorescent labels on nucleic acid templates
Implementation Method 5
exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples comprising fluorescent materials
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples comprising fluorescent materials (e.g. fluorescent labels, dyes or pigments). In one embodiment, a device is used to detect fluorescent labels on nucleic acid. In a preferred embodiment, the device is configured such that fluorescent labels in a plurality of different DNA templates are simultaneously detected.