Integrated Optical Fiber Microfluidics for Contactless Cell Trapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing leukemia, such as genetic mapping and Raman spectroscopy, are complex, time-consuming, and require cells to remain stationary during measurement without physical contact, while existing optical tweezers are bulky, expensive, and require precise alignment of optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system with a built-in single-mode optical fiber that uses hydrodynamic and optical forces to deliver, trap, and sort cells without physical contact, eliminating the need for bulky microscope lenses and complex fiber modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If commercial optical tweezers with microscope objectives are used, then cells can be trapped and held stationary for measurement, but the system becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical trapping function from the bulky microscope objective system and implements it using a compact integrated optical fiber tip. The fiber tip itself generates the optical forces needed to trap cells, eliminating the need for external microscope objectives and complex alignment systems while maintaining effective cell trapping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is integrated directly into the microfluidic channel structure, with the fiber tip positioned within the channel lumen. This nesting of the optical component within the fluidic component creates a compact unified device that combines cell delivery and optical trapping functions in a single integrated unit
2Reliability
If optical fibers are precisely aligned with microscope objectives, then trapping efficiency improves, but alignment complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber and microfluidic channel are merged into a single integrated component where the fiber is embedded within the channel structure. This integration eliminates the separate alignment step between fiber and objective, as the fiber tip position relative to the channel flow path is determined during device fabrication rather than requiring post-fabrication alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is pre-positioned and fixed within the microfluidic channel during device manufacturing, establishing the correct geometric relationship between the fiber tip and the cell flow path before the device is put into operation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during system setup
3Object-affected harmful factors
If Raman spectroscopy is used for cell identification, then non-invasive molecular identification is achieved, but measurement time increases to tens of seconds or minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated optical fiber enables continuous laser illumination of cells as they flow through the microfluidic channel, allowing Raman spectroscopy measurements to be performed on cells in continuous flow rather than requiring stationary cells. This continuous measurement approach significantly reduces the time each cell spends in the measurement zone while maintaining sufficient signal acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static cell trapping to dynamic flow-based measurement, where cells move continuously through the measurement zone under hydrodynamic flow. The optical fiber is positioned to intercept cells during their brief passage through the focused laser beam, enabling measurements on moving cells rather than requiring them to be held stationary
4Measurement precision
If cells are held stationary during measurement without physical contact, then measurement accuracy improves, but requiring complex optical trapping systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/optical trapping systems with a simpler integrated optical fiber that generates trapping forces directly at its tip. The fiber tip acts as both the light delivery mechanism and the trapping element, eliminating the need for separate mechanical positioning systems and complex optical assemblies
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
Enables precise, non-invasive, and cost-effective manipulation and sorting of cells for Raman spectroscopy, allowing continuous analysis and sorting with high accuracy and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
Optical traps proposed and developed by Ashkin in the 1970s have come a long way and have become a common method for manipulating small objects
Implementation Method 2
The basic principle of optical tweezers is the transfer of momentum associated with the bending of light
Implementation Method 3
which is used to continuously deliver cells in an aqueous solution to the measurement site (imaging)
Implementation Method 4
Raman spectroscopy provides detailed information about molecules based on their vibrational states
Implementation Method 5
In standard, so called spontaneous Raman spectroscopy the detectable Raman signal is usually very weak
Implementation Method 6
One of the most promising ones, which significantly increases the signal amplification and thus shortens the detection time, is stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a microfluidic system with an integrated single-mode optical fiber containing a hydrodynamic spatial focusing module, a sorting module, characterized in that the hydrodynamic spatial focusing module (118) contains a main channel (109), which channel has a first end and a second end, the first end of the main channel (109) includes inlets for introducing sheath liquid (101, 103, 104, 105) and an inlet for introducing sample liquid (102), wherein the inlets (101, 102, 103, 104, 105) are oriented with respect to the main channel (109) at right angles, and the sample liquid introduction inlet (102) is located between the sheath liquid introduction inlets (101, 103), and the sheath liquid introduction inlets (104, 105) communicate with the first end of the main channel (108) through the first side channels (106, 107), and the second end of the main channel (109) is connected to the outlets (113, 114) through the output channels (111, 112), and between the first and the second end of the main channel (109) there is a sorting module (119), and at the other end of the main channel (109) an optical fiber channel (115) is connected between the output channels (111, 112) for the introduction of optical fiber (116), defining a detection zone (110).