Optical Fiber Bundle LSPR Sensor for Low-Concentration Antigen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors face challenges in measuring substances at low concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A digital LSPR sensor using an optical fiber bundle, where the output value is determined by the number of optical fibers outputting a signal of a predetermined magnitude when a preset number of antigens are bound to antibodies, with amino or epoxy groups facilitating antibody attachment to metal materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional LSPR sensors are used, then the sensor structure is simple, but the measurement precision for low-concentration substances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor divides the detection function across multiple optical fibers (e.g., 6-12 fibers) arranged in a bundle. Each fiber acts as an independent detection unit with its own antibody-coated metal material, allowing the system to count the number of positive signals to determine antigen concentration, thereby improving detection precision for low-concentration substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-fiber analog signal measurement to a multi-fiber digital counting approach. By converting the continuous signal into discrete digital values (0 or 1) based on signal threshold comparison, and summing these values across multiple fibers, the system achieves improved precision through dimensional expansion from single-point to multi-point measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the number of optical fibers is increased to improve measurement precision, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical fibers are merged into a single bundle structure that functions as one integrated sensor array. The individual signals from each fiber are combined through digital counting, where the total number of positive signals across all fibers determines the final output, thereby achieving high precision without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor uses multiple identical optical fiber units (each with metal material and antibodies) arranged in parallel. These copies of the same detection mechanism allow the system to aggregate results, improving statistical reliability and measurement precision while maintaining the simplicity of each individual fiber unit.
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 accurate measurement of low-concentration antigens by counting the number of optical fibers outputting a signal, improving sensitivity and accuracy in detecting low-concentration substances.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is a phenomenon that occurs due to the collective oscillation of free electrons when incident light interacts with a metal thin film, such as gold or silver, or with nanoparticles or nanostructures
Data Source
AI summary
A digital localized surface plasmon resonance sensor using a bundle of optical fibers and a fabrication method. The digital localized surface plasmon resonance sensor can determine the sensor's output value by counting the number of optical fibers that output a signal greater than a certain size when the number of antigens bound to the antibody exceeds a predetermined number.