Optical Measurement Chip for Absolute Phase Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement techniques for analyte concentration, such as surface plasmon resonance and Mach-Zehnder interferometry, face issues of low sensitivity, high cost, and difficulty in calculating absolute phase differences exceeding 360°, necessitating complex and expensive setups.
Innovation Solution
A measurement chip with a propagation layer and diffraction gratings, using a gauss beam and continuous wave light, allows for accurate estimation of analyte concentration by measuring changes in peak angles and phase distributions, even beyond 360°, without requiring secondary antibodies or three-dimensional waveguides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface plasmon resonance is used for detecting analyte, then the detection can be performed, but the sensitivity becomes low and expensive measuring device is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces surface plasmon resonance (a complex optical field interaction requiring expensive equipment) with a simpler optical interference measurement using Mach-Zehnder interferometry. The measurement chip uses a propagation layer with stripe-pattern ligands that create phase differences in light, which are then detected through interference patterns. This substitution maintains detection capability while improving sensitivity and reducing equipment complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If Mach-Zehnder interferometry is used for detecting analyte, then the sensitivity is high, but three-dimensional waveguide is needed making the device expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex three-dimensional waveguide structure from the Mach-Zehnder interferometry system. Instead, it uses a simple planar propagation layer with stripe-pattern ligands fixed on its surface. The interference measurement is achieved through phase differences created by ligand binding, without requiring complex 3D waveguide components. This extraction maintains high sensitivity while dramatically simplifying the device structure and reducing costs.
3Measurement precision
If conventional phase difference measurement is used, then the measurement can be performed, but absolute phase difference cannot be calculated when phase difference exceeds 360°
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of the light source wavelength to continuously track phase differences beyond the 360° limit. By sweeping the wavelength and monitoring the interference pattern changes, the system can determine absolute phase differences even when they exceed one full cycle. This periodic wavelength modulation prevents information loss and enables accurate quantification of large phase shifts caused by analyte binding.
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 enables precise estimation of analyte concentration with a simple configuration, reducing costs and maintaining sensitivity by using a simpler setup that accounts for phase changes beyond 360°, regardless of ligand fixation variations or light source stability.
Implementation Method 1
a propagation layer 101...an area in which the ligand 102 is fixed and an area where the ligand is not fixed
Implementation Method 2
utilizes a difference in amounts of phase change between an area in which the ligand is fixed and an area where the ligand is not fixed
Implementation Method 3
diffraction gratings, using a gauss beam and continuous wave light, allows for accurate estimation of analyte concentration by measuring changes in peak angles
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(C)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure is to provide a measurement chip, a measuring device, and a measuring method which can accurately estimate an analyte concentration with a simple configuration. A measurement chip may include a propagation layer, an introductory part, a drawn-out part and a reaction part. Through the propagation layer, light may propagate. The introductory part may introduce the light into the propagation layer. The drawn-out part may draw the light from the propagation layer. The reaction part may have, in a surface of the propagation layer where a reactant that reacts to a substance to be detected is formed, an area where a content of the reactant changes monotonously in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to a propagating direction of the light, over a given length in the propagating direction.