Functionalized Waveguide Lab-on-a-Chip for Compact Optical Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lab-on-a-chip systems are space-consuming and expensive, lacking integrated optical detection and excitation capabilities, particularly in terms of wavelength-selectivity and spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A compact lab-on-a-chip system with an optical detection waveguide featuring an at least partially periodic structure for input and output coupling, integrated with a microfluidic network, enabling targeted optical excitation and detection through diffractive, holographic, or refractive structures, allowing for wavelength-selective and spatially resolved imaging without external microscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microscope is used for optical detection and illumination in a lab-on-a-chip system, then optical detection and excitation can be achieved, but the system becomes space-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical detection and illumination functions directly into the lab-on-a-chip system by incorporating waveguides with periodic structures that serve both as light guides and coupling elements. This merging eliminates the need for separate external microscopes and their associated components, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining optical detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure with periodic patterns serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light guide, an input coupling region, and an output coupling region. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve optical detection and excitation capabilities without requiring separate dedicated components, thus reducing overall device complexity while preserving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If external microscopy equipment is used for optical detection, then wavelength-selective and spatially resolved detection can be achieved, but the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic structures in the waveguide that operate in the diffraction regime, enabling wavelength-selective coupling through angular and spectral separation. This approach achieves wavelength-selectivity and spatial resolution by utilizing the dimensional properties of light propagation and diffraction angles rather than requiring large external optical paths, thus maintaining high measurement precision while minimizing system volume
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical detection methods are used in lab-on-a-chip systems, then detection functionality is provided, but the systems lack integrated optical excitation and detection capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical excitation and detection functionalities within a single integrated waveguide structure. The same periodic structure that enables input coupling also facilitates output coupling, allowing the system to perform both excitation and detection operations through a unified component rather than requiring separate integrated systems, thereby enhancing adaptability while managing integration complexity
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
Achieves a highly integrated, compact, and efficient system for optical detection and excitation, eliminating the need for external equipment, with enhanced spatial resolution and wavelength selectivity, suitable for miniaturized applications like medical diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
The at least partially periodic structure may form an input coupling region in order to couple light coming from a reaction chamber of a microfluidic network into the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The at least partially periodic structure may also form an output coupling region in order to emit light to the reaction chamber
Implementation Method 3
Samples are transported between the different reaction and analysis chambers with the aid of capillary forces
Data Source
AI summary
A lab-on-a-chip system comprises an optical detection waveguide that has an at least partially periodic structure that is configured to couple light from surroundings of the optical detection waveguide into the optical detection waveguide. The lab-on-a-chip system furthermore also comprises a microfluidic network, wherein the microfluidic network has multiple lines and at least one reaction chamber.