Planar Radiation Guiding Medium for Compact Optical Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biochemical sensing systems, such as optodes, are bulky and prone to data inaccuracies due to distortions caused by excitation energy and optical signals traversing multiple material interfaces and open air, which complicates real-time chemical analysis in field applications like pollution monitoring and biomedical testing.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical biochemical sensing platform utilizing a planar radiation guiding medium with an integrated excitation energy source and photodetector, which minimizes interface distortions through total internal reflection and modular design for efficient light delivery and detection, allowing for scalable and sensitive analyte detection over large areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optodes use SLR cameras with substantial lenses and LEDs with guidance mirrors or fiber bundles, then the system can detect and record secondary radiation, but the device becomes bulky and requires disturbing the environment around the optode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the excitation energy source and photodetector into a single integrated optode device, eliminating the need for separate bulky components like SLR cameras with lenses and external LED sources with guidance mirrors. This integration dramatically reduces device size while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the optical path, such as guidance mirrors and fiber bundles, keeping only the essential elements (excitation source, sample interface, and photodetector) needed for functional operation
2Device complexity
If excitation energy and optical signals traverse multiple material interfaces and open air between the sample and camera, then the system can be designed with separate components, but distortions are introduced that render the optode output data less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the excitation source and photodetector into a single device with the sample positioned between them, the patent eliminates multiple air-material interfaces and open air paths that cause optical distortions, thereby improving data accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The sample itself serves as the intermediary medium between excitation energy and detection, eliminating the need for separate optical paths through air and multiple material interfaces that would otherwise introduce distortions
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 compact design enhances sensitivity and accuracy for low-concentration biological or chemical target measurements with reduced environmental disruption, facilitating simpler installation and maintenance while providing high-resolution imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A compact optode with a radiation guiding medium for guiding excitation energy from an excitation energy source to a fluorophore
Implementation Method 2
an excitation energy source configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore
Data Source
AI summary
An optode has a planar radiation guiding medium having a first planar surface and a second planar surface and one or more perimeter surfaces bounded by the first and second planar surfaces. An excitation energy source of the optode is configured to output into the radiation guiding medium first energy at a wavelength selected to excite a fluorophore. The optode also includes a photodetector configured to image at least a portion of the first planar surface of the radiation guiding medium by detecting second energy transmitted through the radiation guiding medium.