Protective Liner Light Detection for Corrosive Reaction Solutions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light detection systems for biological or chemical research face challenges, including high costs and large footprints for optical systems, and limitations with solid-state imaging systems where reagents can corrode electronic components due to fluidic delivery issues.
Innovation Solution
A light detection device with a reaction structure containing reaction recesses for solutions of specific pH levels, equipped with light sensors, light guides, and a protection layer that prevents interaction with device circuitry, using materials like silicon dioxide or silicon nitride to ensure chemical inertness and prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical system with lenses, filters, and light sources is used for fluorescent detection, then detection capability is improved, but device cost and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical system (lenses, filters, light sources) with a solid-state imaging system that uses integrated light sensors and light guides fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky optical components while maintaining detection functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between detection capability and device footprint.
2Ease of operation
If reagent solution is fluidically delivered to analytes on the electronic device, then reaction delivery is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective coating layer as an intermediary between the reagent solution and the electronic device components. This coating acts as a barrier that prevents corrosive reagents from直接接触 the light sensors, light guides, and circuitry, thereby maintaining device reliability while allowing reagent delivery to proceed uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating creates a chemically inert environment around the electronic components by providing a barrier that is impermeable to corrosive reagents. This inert barrier prevents chemical reactions between the reagent solution and the electronic device, preserving device reliability during operation.
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 device effectively detects light emissions from reactions while protecting the circuitry from corrosive solutions, offering a compact and cost-effective solution for biological or chemical analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light guides with input regions that receive the excitation light and the light emissions from at least one corresponding reaction recess, the light guides extending into the device base from the input regions toward at least one corresponding light sensor
Implementation Method 2
comprising at least one filter material that filters the excitation light and permits the light emissions to pass to the at least one corresponding light sensor
Implementation Method 3
The device base comprises a plurality of light sensors, and device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors to transmit data signals based on photons detected by the light sensors
Implementation Method 4
The device further comprises a shield layer extending about each light guide and positioned between each light guide and the device circuitry
Implementation Method 5
The protection layer is chemically inert with respect to the reaction solution
Data Source
AI summary
Light detection devices and related methods are provided. The devices may comprise a reaction structure for containing a reaction solution with a relatively high or low pH and a plurality of reaction sites that generate light emissions. The devices may comprise a device base comprising a plurality of light sensors, device circuitry coupled to the light sensors, and a plurality of light guides that block excitation light but permit the light emissions to pass to a light sensor. The device base may also include a shield layer extending about each light guide between each light guide and the device circuitry, and a protection layer that is chemically inert with respect to the reaction solution extending about each light guide between each light guide and the shield layer. The protection layer prevents reaction solution that passes through the reaction structure and the light guide from interacting with the device circuitry.