Modulation of Luminescent Dyes for Biosensor Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing affinity-based biosensors face challenges in achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in distinguishing the desired luminescent signal from background noise, which limits their ability to detect low concentrations of analytes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves modulating a physical parameter such as temperature, excitation light power or wavelength, and pH to differentially affect the luminescent signal and background noise, allowing for improved signal separation and noise reduction through correlation with the modulation dependency of both signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence detection is used in affinity-based biosensors, then the detection system can identify target molecules, but the signal-to-noise ratio is insufficient to effectively distinguish the desired signal from background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic modulation of physical parameters (temperature, excitation light power, wavelength, or pH) to create time-varying signals. By modulating these parameters periodically and detecting the corresponding periodic variations in luminescence, the system can distinguish the modulated signal from non-modulated background noise, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (temperature, excitation light power, wavelength, pH) to which the luminescent targets respond differently than background noise sources. By selecting parameters that create differential responses between target and background, the system can enhance signal separation and improve measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If the detection sensitivity is increased to detect low concentrations of analytes, then the biosensor can identify trace amounts of targets, but the measurement time increases or requires more averaging
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic modulation of physical parameters, the system generates stronger, more distinct signals that can be detected more quickly. The modulated signal stands out from background noise, allowing for faster detection and reduced measurement time while maintaining high sensitivity for low concentration analytes
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses correlation detection where the detected signal is correlated with the known modulation pattern. This feedback mechanism allows the system to extract weak modulated signals from noise more efficiently, reducing the number of measurements needed and thereby decreasing measurement time while maintaining detection sensitivity
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 the signal-to-noise ratio by at least 3 dB, enabling the detection of analytes at concentrations as low as 10 pM, and reduces measurement time or increases the number of measurements that can be averaged, thereby improving the sensitivity and accuracy of the biosensor.
Implementation Method 1
an evanescent field generating structure, wherein the light is coupled to the evanescent field generating structure and wherein the evanescent field generating structure is adapted for generating an evanescent field at the surface or in the three dimensional volume
Implementation Method 2
for quantifying luminescent targets
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor device (100) for quantifying luminescent targets comprises a light source (111), a detector (120), a modulator (130), and a processor (140). The light source (111) is adapted for exciting the luminescent target. The detector (120) is adapted for detecting the luminescence of the luminescent target resulting in a measured signal which comprises a desired signal originating from the luminescent target and a background signal. The modulator (130) is adapted for modulating a physical parameter resulting in a modulation of the desired signal which is different from the modulation of the background signal. The processor (140) is configured to correlate the modulation of the physical parameter with the modulation of the desired signal and/or the modulation of the background signal.