Movable Optical Detector for Luminescence Fluorescence Crosstalk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During automated immunochemistry analysis, the washing steps lead to a loss of paramagnetic particles, making it challenging to normalize the luminescence signal effectively, as existing methods fail to accurately quantify the remaining particles post-washing.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus that allow for the optical measurement of a sample's dynamic chemical range by moving an optical detector between luminescence and fluorescence reading positions within a light-tight optics box, using a bifurcated optical fiber bundle, excitation light source, and a shutter mechanism to minimize crosstalk and accurately measure both luminescence and fluorescence signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the optical detector remains in a fixed position to simplify device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to separate luminescence and fluorescence readings
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detector is made movable between different positions (luminescence reading position and fluorescence reading position) rather than fixed. This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize measurement geometry for different detection modes, resolving the contradiction by accepting increased mechanical complexity to achieve superior measurement precision for both luminescence and fluorescence signals
2Measurement precision
If the optical detector is positioned close to the sample to enhance signal intensity, then measurement precision improves, but crosstalk from fluorescence light source increases during luminescence measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into distinct temporal phases: fluorescence excitation and reading, then luminescence reading. The optical detector position is adjusted accordingly for each phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high sensitivity positioning during fluorescence measurement while avoiding crosstalk during luminescence measurement by either repositioning or using temporal separation
3Reliability
If washing steps are implemented to remove background signals, then purity of measurement improves, but loss of paramagnetic particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces purely mechanical washing procedures with an optical quantification capability. By using the movable optical detector to measure and quantify remaining paramagnetic particles after washing, the system can monitor particle loss and potentially adjust washing parameters to minimize loss while maintaining background signal removal effectiveness
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 enables precise quantification of remaining particles and normalization of the luminescence signal, improving the accuracy of chemical measurements by minimizing crosstalk and stray light, thus enhancing the reliability of automated immunochemistry analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detector with enough dynamic range to measure both fluorescence and luminescence signal from the samples
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescence excitation light source; a bifurcated fiber optic bundle, one leg of which is connected to the light source, one leg of which is connected through a series of emission optical filters to a fluorescence detection port
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods of optically analyzing fluid within a pipette are described herein. In an embodiment, an optical reader subassembly includes a pipette configured to aspirate and hold a fluid sample within its tip, a housing configured to receive at least the tip of the pipette through a reentrant seal so that the tip of the pipette is located in a light tight manner within an internal area, a light source positioned to be in proximity to the tip of the pipette when the tip of the pipette is received by the housing, the light source configured to project light through the tip of the pipette and onto the fluid sample held within the tip, and an optical sensor configured to take a reading of the fluid sample held within the tip of the pipette without any of the fluid sample being injected from the pipette.