Luminescent Light Pipe Subsystem for Multi-Capillary Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioanalytical instrumentation is limited by the engineering and cost constraints of lamps and lasers, which affect sensitivity, reproducibility, and robustness in light-based detection systems, particularly in microfluidic and PCR applications.
Innovation Solution
A luminescent light pipe system combined with relay optics is used to irradiate and detect analytes in capillaries with selected wavelengths, allowing for simultaneous and flexible luminescence detection across multiple capillaries or wells, using a variety of luminescent materials and optical configurations to enhance specificity and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lamps and lasers are used as light sources, then the system can provide sufficient illumination intensity, but the sensitivity, reproducibility, and robustness of detection are limited due to engineering and cost constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by transitioning from conventional lamps and lasers to luminescent light pipes with relay optics. This enables precise control of wavelength, intensity, and spatial distribution parameters, thereby improving detection sensitivity and reproducibility while overcoming the engineering constraints of traditional light sources
2Illumination intensity
If multiple filters or gratings are used with wide spectrum sources to generate specific wavelengths, then the desired wavelengths can be obtained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wavelength selection function from complex filter/grating assemblies and integrates it directly into the light pipe structure through luminescent materials. This eliminates the need for separate filters and gratings, reducing device complexity while maintaining wavelength specificity
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent light pipe acts as an intermediary that converts broad-spectrum light into specific wavelengths through luminescence. This mediator approach simplifies the optical path by replacing multiple discrete wavelength-selection components with a single luminescent conversion stage
3Illumination intensity
If continuous operation of light sources is used to maintain stable illumination, then sufficient light intensity is provided, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pulsed operation of the light source subsystem, switching between active and inactive states periodically. This reduces cumulative heat generation while maintaining sufficient average illumination intensity for detection, as the light is delivered in controlled bursts rather than continuous operation
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 system provides improved sensitivity, higher specificity, and lower background signals, enabling efficient detection of multiple analytes simultaneously and reducing heat generation through pulsed operation.
Implementation Method 1
A luminescent light pipe system combined with relay optics is used to irradiate and detect analytes in capillaries with selected wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
detecting luminescence produced by the analytes within the capillaries
Implementation Method 3
The interactions may include and are not limited to absorbance, transmittance, scatter and fluorescence
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems. The capillaries are used to separate molecules that are chemically tagged with appropriate fluorescent or chromophore groups.