Retroreflected Signal Gadget for Portable Biosensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence analysis equipment for point-of-care diagnostics is limited by expensive and power-hungry light sources, complex and costly optical systems, and the need for sophisticated light-receiving equipment, which hinders miniaturization and portability.
Innovation Solution
A gadget for retroreflected signal measurement using retroreflective Janus particles (RJPs) as a biosensing principle, which is integrated with a portable terminal, eliminating the need for fluorescence analysis. The gadget includes a partitioning wall with a light exit channel and a light-receiving channel, allowing for quantitative analysis of bio-substances using a biosensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence analysis equipment is used, then high sensitivity and quantitative analysis capability are achieved, but the equipment becomes expensive, power-intensive, and difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex optical components (halogen lamp, monochromator, filters, photomultiplier tube) from the diagnostic device, replacing them with a portable terminal's existing camera and flash. This extraction of unnecessary complexity enables miniaturization while maintaining quantitative analysis capability through retroreflective signal measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses retroreflective Janus particles that reflect light back to the source, creating a signal that can be captured by the portable terminal's camera. This copying approach replaces the need for sophisticated optical detection systems while preserving the ability to perform quantitative analysis of bio-substances.
2Measurement precision
If conventional light sources (halogen lamp, laser, LED) are used, then fluorescence signal is generated, but the equipment becomes expensive and requires high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the portable terminal's existing flash as the light source, which is already powered by the device's battery. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate power-hungry light sources while maintaining the ability to generate sufficient light for retroreflective signal measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using fluorescence emission (where the probe emits light after excitation), the patent inverts the approach by using retroreflection (where the probe reflects light back to the source). This inversion eliminates the need for complex light sources and filters, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If conventional light-receiving equipment (photomultiplier tube) is used, then sensitive fluorescence detection is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the portable terminal's camera serve multiple functions: it acts as both the display device for the user interface and the light-receiving device for signal detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive light-receiving equipment while maintaining quantitative analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the camera's image sensor to detect retroreflected light, creating a simplified detection system that copies the functionality of sophisticated optical detectors without the associated complexity and cost. The camera captures the retroreflected signal from Janus particles, enabling sensitive detection in a miniaturized form factor.
4Measurement precision
If conventional optical system with filters and monochromator is used, then specific wavelength selection is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and不适合便携式应用
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the wavelength selection components (monochromator, excitation filters, emission filters) from the optical system. By using retroreflection with broadband light from the flash, the system achieves sufficient wavelength discrimination without these bulky components, enabling portable application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from fluorescence emission wavelength to retroreflective signal intensity. This parameter change allows the use of broadband light without requiring precise wavelength selection, eliminating the need for filters and monochromators while maintaining measurement precision.
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 on-site, quantitative analysis of bio-substances without the need for expensive or power-intensive equipment, providing a compact and portable diagnostic solution.
Implementation Method 1
a gadget for retroreflected signal measurement which may be simply connected to a portable terminal carried by an individual and may be capable of quantitative analysis of a target bio-substance via a biosensor using retroreflective Janus particles (RJP) causing retroreflection as a signal probe
Data Source
AI summary
A gadget for retroreflected signal measurement is disclosed. The gadget for measuring the retroreflected signal includes a partitioning wall; a portable terminal receiving portion disposed on one surface of the partitioning wall; a biosensor receiving portion disposed on the other surface of the partitioning wall and constructed to receive a biosensor therein; a light exit channel defined in the partitioning wall and at one side thereof; and a light-receiving channel adjacent to the light exit channel and defined in the partitioning wall, wherein light passes through the light exit channel and then is reflected from the biosensor, and then is incident into the light-receiving channel.