Fluorescent Testing System Using Silicon Integrated Circuit Photodiodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescent testing systems are enlarged and complicated due to the need for a fluorescent microscope to detect signals from many fine analytes, limiting their effectiveness in detecting DNA with high sensitivity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescent testing system that includes an excitation light source, a silicon integrated circuit with a photon detection unit, and a holding layer with through holes to hold test objects, allowing for pulsed excitation and detection of fluorescence without optical filters, enabling efficient detection of fluorescence after extinguishment of excitation light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluorescent microscope is used to detect fluorescent signals from microfluids, then detection sensitivity and quantitativity are improved, but the apparatus becomes enlarged and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the analyte solution into a significantly great number of microfluids (thousands to millions of droplets), enabling parallel detection of numerous samples simultaneously. This segmentation allows the use of simpler detection components while maintaining high statistical accuracy for concentration measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex optical system of a fluorescent microscope with a simplified photodetector-based detection system. By using photodiodes or avalanche photodiodes to directly detect fluorescent signals from microfluids, the system eliminates the need for complex lens systems, mirrors, and optical filters while achieving comparable or superior detection sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If the number of microfluids is increased to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the detection system requires more complex apparatus to count and analyze signals from increased numbers of microfluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated detection system. By positioning photodetectors to simultaneously monitor fluorescent signals from thousands of microfluids and using electronic signal processing to aggregate and analyze the data, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring proportionally increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from individual cell imaging to bulk fluorescent signal integration. By measuring the total fluorescent intensity from all microfluids and correlating it with the number of positive droplets, the system achieves accurate concentration measurement through parameter transformation rather than individual analysis.
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 approach simplifies the system, avoiding the need for a fluorescent microscope and enabling accurate detection of DNA concentrations with improved sensitivity and dynamic range, reducing system complexity and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation light source 23 that radiates excitation light L1 to a test object... causes the photon detection unit 13, after extinguishment of the excitation light L1, to detect fluorescence emitted from the test object
Implementation Method 2
a silicon integrated circuit 10 including a photon detection unit 13 that detects light by a photodiode 12
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a fluorescent testing system, a molecular testing method, and a fluorescent testing method that can avoid enlargement and complication. A fluorescent testing system (1) includes: an excitation light source (23) that radiates excitation light (L1) to protein to which a fluorescent probe is added; a silicon integrated circuit (10) including a photon detection unit (13) that detects light by a photodiode (12); a holding layer (30) including a microwell (31) that is provided above the photodiode (12) and holds the protein to which the fluorescent probe is added; and a control unit (24) that causes the excitation light source (23) to radiate the excitation light (L1) to the protein which. is held and to which the fluorescent probe is added and causes the photon detection unit (13), after extinguishment of the excitation light (L1), to detect fluorescence emitted from the protein to which the fluorescent probe is added.