Microfluidic Array Substrate Recesses Shielding Layer Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic devices face challenges in achieving accurate fluorescence detection due to the small volume of reaction chambers, leading to insufficient fluorescence intensity from the reagent, which affects diagnostic accuracy in fields like single-cell analysis and prenatal diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An array substrate with recesses arranged in a specific area ratio, a shielding layer to block interference fluorescence, and a heating electrode for uniform temperature control, combined with hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers for efficient sample distribution, enhances fluorescence detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reaction chamber volume is reduced to achieve high-throughput dPCR, then the detection throughput is improved, but the fluorescence intensity becomes insufficient leading to poor detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shielding layer positioned between the excitation light source and the reaction chambers, creating a new spatial dimension for controlling optical interference. This layer blocks stray light and fluorescence interference from reaching the detector, thereby improving detection accuracy without requiring larger reaction volumes that would reduce throughput
2Device complexity
If conventional microfluidic devices are used with small reaction chambers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the fluorescence interference from the substrate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fluorescence interference by introducing a dedicated shielding layer that captures and blocks stray light and fluorescence signals before they reach the detector. This separate component isolates the harmful factor from the detection system, allowing simple reaction chamber designs while eliminating optical interference
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding layer acts as an intermediary element between the excitation light source and the detector. It mediates the optical path by blocking unwanted fluorescence and stray light, thereby protecting the detection system from interference without requiring changes to the reaction chambers or substrate
3Measurement precision
If the reaction chamber area ratio is increased to improve fluorescence intensity, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the number of detectable chambers per substrate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a shielding layer pattern that replicates the reaction chamber arrangement, creating corresponding opening regions that allow excitation light to reach each chamber while blocking interference. This copied pattern enables multiple small chambers to be detected simultaneously with high accuracy, maintaining both chamber density and detection 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 solution allows for uniform heating and reduced fluorescence interference, improving the detection accuracy of reagents in microfluidic devices, meeting diagnostic requirements for single-cell analysis and prenatal diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a shielding layer defining a plurality of openings, an orthographic projection of each of the plurality of openings on the first substrate at least partially overlapping an orthographic projection of a respective one of the plurality of recesses on the first substrate
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic layer covering a sidewall and a bottom of each of the plurality of recesses
Implementation Method 3
a heating electrode configured to heat the plurality of recesses
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an array substrate, a microfluidic device, a microfluidic system, and a fluorescence detection method. The array substrate includes at least one recess, the array substrate is located in a plane, and a ratio of an area of an orthographic projection of the at least one recess on the plane to an area of an orthographic projection of the array substrate on the plane is between 0.05 and 0.60.