Low Auto-Fluorescence Glass Substrates for Fluorescent Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluorescent-detection methods face challenges due to the high cost of silica substrates and the issue of auto-fluorescence from cheaper alternatives like plastics and polymers, which degrade signal quality by introducing background noise.

Innovation Solution

A glass substrate with a specific composition, including between 65.97 mol% to 78.17 mol% SiO2, 2.94 mol% to 12.12 mol% Al2O3, and other oxides, offering high transmittance and low auto-fluorescence, is used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio in fluorescent-detection methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silica substrate is used, then optical quality and low auto-fluorescence are achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical qualityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of glass substrates by precisely controlling the proportions of SiO2 (65-78 mol%), Al2O3 (2-12 mol%), B2O3 (0-12 mol%), and other oxides to achieve optimal optical properties and minimize auto-fluorescence while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite glass material system combining multiple oxide components (SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3, Na2O, K2O, CaO, MgO, ZnO, SrO, BaO, SnO2) in specific ratios to achieve superior optical performance that balances both quality and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic or polymer material is used, then cost decreases and ease of manufacture improves, but auto-fluorescence increases causing background noise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidauto-fluorescence
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the glass composition parameters, particularly increasing SiO2 content to 65-78 mol% and optimizing Al2O3 (2-12 mol%) and B2O3 (0-12 mol%) ratios, to fundamentally reduce the glass matrix's auto-fluorescence properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies specific compositional modifications to different regions of the glass substrate structure, ensuring that the glass composition specifically targets reduction of auto-fluorescence in the optical path regions while maintaining overall structural integrity and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 glass substrate provides high optical quality, low auto-fluorescence, and improved accuracy in fluorescent-detection methods by minimizing background noise and enhancing signal clarity.

Implementation Method 1

high transmittance and low auto-fluorescence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmittance: Light

Implementation Method 2

The term 'auto-fluorescence' as used herein describes the natural or inherent fluorescence produced by substrates for use in fluorescent-detection methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAuto-fluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3365289B1Substrates for use in fluorescent-detection methods having glass substrate portion
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 CORNING INC
  • EP3365289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3365289B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3365289B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A substrate for use in fluorescent-detection methods is provided. The substrate includes at least one glass substrate portion, the at least one glass substrate portion including: between about 60 mol % to about 80 mol% SiO2; between about 0 mol% to about 15 mol% A12O3; between about 0 mol% to about 15 mol% B2O3; and about 2 mol% to about 50 mol% RxO, wherein R is any one or more of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and x is 2, or wherein R is any one or more of Zn, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba and x is 1.