Parallel Optical Examination Cartridge for Biosensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensor cartridges are limited in their ability to rapidly and efficiently perform both immunoassay and clinical chemistry parameter measurements, particularly for clinical applications, as they require separate setups and cannot simultaneously observe total internal reflection and inspectable sample chamber light signals effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge and sensor apparatus design that includes a TIR chamber for total internal reflection and an inspectable chamber, allowing simultaneous observation of both chambers' output light beams using the same light detector, with optical elements for redirecting the second output light beam to the observation region, enabling parallel optical examinations and minimizing hardware costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate setups are used for immunoassay and clinical chemistry parameter measurements, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and examination time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate measurement systems (immunoassay TIR measurement and clinical chemistry inspectable chamber measurement) into a single integrated cartridge and sensor apparatus. The cartridge contains both a TIR chamber with detection surface and an inspectable chamber, allowing both measurement types to be performed simultaneously using shared optical components including a single light source and light detector, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The light detector is designed with universal functionality to detect both the output light beam from total internal reflection in the TIR chamber and the output light beam from the inspectable chamber. This multi-functional detection capability eliminates the need for separate detection systems, reducing hardware complexity while preserving the precision required for both immunoassay and colorimetric assays
2Measurement precision
If separate setups are used for different measurement types, then measurement accuracy is preserved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cartridge enables continuous parallel operation of both measurement systems. The light source continuously provides illumination for both the TIR chamber and inspectable chamber simultaneously, and the light detector continuously receives and processes signals from both chambers without interruption or sequential switching, thereby maximizing productivity while maintaining measurement accuracy through consistent optical paths
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the optical paths of both measurement types through a single light source and light detector, the system achieves simultaneous measurement capability. This integration allows both immunoassay and clinical chemistry parameters to be measured in parallel within the same cartridge, significantly improving productivity compared to sequential separate measurements while preserving accuracy through unified optical design
3Loss of information
If multiple light detectors are used for simultaneous observation of both chambers, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light detector is designed as a universal multi-functional device capable of detecting light signals from both the TIR chamber and the inspectable chamber simultaneously. This single detector performs the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate detectors, reducing hardware complexity and cost while maintaining complete measurement capability for both measurement types through its ability to process multiple light beams concurrently
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate measurement systems are implemented, then measurement versatility is limited to specific functions, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor apparatus and cartridge are designed with universal multi-functionality, enabling both immunoassay measurements via total internal reflection and clinical chemistry parameter measurements via inspection of the sample-containing chamber. This dual functionality is achieved through a unified optical system with a single light source and light detector that can simultaneously handle both measurement modalities, increasing adaptability and versatility while avoiding the complexity of maintaining separate specialized systems
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
This design allows for faster and more versatile sample examination, enabling simultaneous detection of proteins and clinical chemistry parameters in a single apparatus, reducing examination time and maintaining the sensitivity of immunoassay performance while adapting for colorimetric assays.
Implementation Method 1
a first output light beam, which originates from a total internal reflection at the mentioned detection surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cartridge(400), a sensor device, and a method for the optical examination of a sample. A first output light beam that originates from a total internal reflection at a detection surface of a TIR chamber and a second output light beam(L2') that comes from the interior of an inspectable chamber(420) are both received within an observation region(OR). Preferably, these output light beams are detected with the same light detector, e.g. an image sensor. The invention hence allows for observing a total internal reflection at the TIR chamber and for looking into the inspectable chamber(420) from the same observation region(OR). This is for example enabled by different inclinations of the windows encountered by the first and the second output light beams, by different optical elements(407) in the paths of the output light beams, and/or by light scattering surface structures in the inspectable chamber.