One-Piece Optical Element for Droplet Fluorescence Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current light detection systems for droplet-based assays face challenges in sensitivity, reliability, and affordability, particularly in achieving even exposure of the silicon photomultiplier sensing area for high-speed fluorescence detection and minimizing light losses for weak fluorescence signals.
Innovation Solution
A detection system comprising a one-piece optical element with a focusing portion to concentrate light and a guiding portion to homogenize it, ensuring uniform illumination of a multi-pixel detector, such as a silicon photomultiplier, which simplifies assembly and enhances detector sensitivity and dynamic range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional light detection systems are used for droplet-based assays, then the system structure is simple, but the detector sensitivity and dynamic range are insufficient for high-speed fluorescence detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (light collection, focusing, and homogenization) into a single integrated optical element. This merging approach achieves uniform illumination across the photomultiplier tube sensing area while maintaining system simplicity, resolving the contradiction between improved measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized optical element as an intermediary between the droplet sample and the photomultiplier tube detector. This intermediary component performs both focusing and homogenization functions, enabling high-speed fluorescence detection with uniform light distribution without requiring complex multi-component optical systems
2Measurement precision
If light is concentrated onto the detector to improve sensitivity, then detector sensitivity improves, but individual detector pixels become saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating uniform light distribution across different regions of the detector surface. The optical element is designed to homogenize light intensity locally at each pixel while maintaining overall light concentration, preventing saturation in any single region while ensuring sufficient signal strength across the entire detector array
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements homogeneity by designing an optical element that produces uniform light intensity distribution across the photomultiplier tube sensing area. This homogenization ensures that all detector pixels receive equivalent light exposure, preventing saturation of individual pixels while maintaining high sensitivity for detecting weak fluorescence signals from droplets
3Measurement precision
If multiple optical components are used to focus and homogenize light, then light detection performance improves, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (focusing and homogenization) into a single integrated optical element, eliminating the need for separate optical components. This reduces manufacturing costs by requiring only one precision-machined piece rather than multiple components, while simultaneously simplifying assembly procedures and improving light detection performance through optimized optical design
4Ease of operation
If conventional optics are used, then assembly is straightforward, but uniform illumination of the detector is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines focusing and homogenization functions into a single optical element with a integrated design that achieves uniform illumination across the detector. The element features a focusing portion for light concentration and a homogenization portion for uniform distribution, eliminating the need for separate optical components and complex alignment procedures while ensuring consistent light exposure across all detector pixels
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 achieves improved light detection by preventing individual detector pixels from saturation, optimizing the use of multi-pixel detectors, and reducing manufacturing costs, thereby enhancing the sensitivity and dynamic range of light detection in high-throughput assays.
Implementation Method 1
a focusing portion to concentrate light received from the examination region
Implementation Method 2
a guiding portion to homogenize concentrated light received from the focusing portion
Data Source
AI summary
Detection system comprising an examination region, a one-piece optical element including a focusing portion to concentrate light received from the examination region and a guiding portion to homogenize light received from the focusing portion, and a detector configured to detect homogenized light received from the guiding portion.