Lab on Disk SPR Detection System Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic 'lab on a disk' systems for detecting analytes using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) face challenges in accurate alignment between detection modules and small detection zones, requiring additional components and increasing system complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes the same reflected or transmitted optical radiation for both triggering data acquisition and detecting SPR, eliminating the need for additional components and ensuring precise alignment, with separate detectors for triggering and data acquisition, and a substrate with a circumferentially varying reflectance profile for encoding information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional components are added for alignment between detection modules and small detection zones, then alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the alignment reference function into the detection zone structure itself by creating a detection zone with a first area for analyte detection and a second area with different optical properties. This eliminates the need for separate alignment components while maintaining alignment accuracy, as the second area serves as both a structural element and an alignment reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The second area of the detection zone serves multiple functions: it provides structural definition of the detection zone, creates optical contrast for alignment purposes, and enables reference measurements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate alignment components, resolving the contradiction between alignment accuracy and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If additional components are added for alignment, then alignment accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment reference functionality is merged into the detection zone structure itself. The second area with different optical properties is integrated during substrate manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate alignment components and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The second area serves multiple purposes including structural definition, alignment reference, and optical contrast generation. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and simplifies manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between alignment accuracy and manufacturing cost.
3Measurement precision
If the detection zone is made small for high-resolution analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection zone is segmented into two distinct areas: a first area for high-resolution analyte detection and a second area with different optical properties. This segmentation allows the small first area to maintain high detection resolution while the second area provides a larger, optically distinct region for easier alignment and reference measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the detection zone are assigned different optical properties: the first area is optimized for analyte detection with specific optical characteristics, while the second area has deliberately different optical properties to provide contrast for alignment purposes. This local differentiation resolves the alignment difficulty associated with small detection zones.
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 enhances data acquisition accuracy, reduces system complexity and cost, and allows for flexible detector placement, while maintaining precise detection of analytes using the SPR effect.
Implementation Method 1
Light from a light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED) with or without spectral filtering is directed to the detection surface in a carefully controlled manner so that most of the energy of the incident light is absorbed by surface plasmons in the detection surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting the presence of an analyte in a moving substrate or sample handling device is disclosed, providing means (26,30) for integrated triggering of data acquisition with a detector means (28) and data acquisition with a detector means (28). In particular, a surface Plasmon resonance “lab on disk” reader system is disclosed.