Optical Sensor Array Illuminated by Electronic Display for Multi-Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optoelectronic sensors face challenges in simultaneously detecting a large number of different chemical and biological species, requiring complex and expensive illumination and readout of multiple heterogeneous sensors.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a portable electronic device's display to simultaneously illuminate and read multiple optoelectronic sensors, leveraging high-resolution displays to control wavelength and intensity of electromagnetic radiation, allowing for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes by generating specific electrical responses associated with each analyte, and configuring sensors to be individually addressable for precise identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heterogeneous sensors are used for simultaneous detection of multiple analytes, then the detection capability and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single homogeneous sensor array where each sensor element can be functionalized to detect different analytes. The electronic display serves multiple functions as both illumination source and readout device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components while maintaining the ability to detect multiple analytes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the illumination source and readout device into a single component - the electronic display. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating separate illumination sources and readout systems, while still enabling simultaneous detection of multiple analytes through the sensor array.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heterogeneous sensors are used for simultaneous detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the expense of illumination and readout increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic display performs multiple functions - serving as both illumination source and readout device - which reduces the overall system cost by eliminating the need for separate expensive components. The sensor elements use homogeneous materials that can be manufactured more cost-effectively than heterogeneous sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an array of identical or similar sensor elements rather than heterogeneous sensors. This copying approach allows for more economical manufacturing through standardization, while the functionalization of each element enables detection of different analytes, maintaining versatility at lower cost.
3Device complexity
If sequential detection of multiple species is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single sensor array that can operate simultaneously. The electronic display illuminates all sensor elements at once, and the readout system captures signals from all sensors concurrently, enabling parallel detection of multiple analytes rather than sequential measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the electronic display to illuminate specific regions or wavelengths corresponding to different analytes, and the readout system dynamically processes signals from multiple sensors simultaneously. This dynamic operation enables rapid simultaneous detection without the time-consuming sequential approach.
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 efficient and cost-effective simultaneous detection of multiple analytes, reducing the complexity and expense of sensor operations while maintaining high accuracy through specific electrical responses and adjustable illumination parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption of electromagnetic radiation may cause excitation of a plasmon resonance at the one or more sensor elements
Implementation Method 2
One or more sensor elements may be a photodetector comprising plasmonic nanoparticles
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code. The memory and computer program code can be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to illuminate one or more sensor elements with electromagnetic radiation emitted from corresponding regions of an electronic display. The one or more sensor elements can be configured to exhibit a specific electrical response to the illumination when a specific set of analytes are bound to the one or more sensor elements, determine the electrical response of the one or more sensor elements,and compare the determined electrical response with one or more predetermined electrical responses to determine a match. Each predetermined electrical response can be associated with the binding of a different set of analytes, wherein determination of a match allows the specific set of analytes bound to the one or more sensor elements to be identified.