Side-Emitting Light Source in Biochip for Fluorescence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biochips face challenges in distinguishing between external light and luminescent or fluorescent material emissions due to small wavelength differences, requiring precise filter layers to block external light and enhance fluorescence detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating side-emitting-type light-emitting devices with reflective layers to direct emitted light laterally to reaction regions, and optionally using a filter layer to block emitted light from reaching the image sensor, allowing only biochemical reaction-generated light to be detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a filter layer is used to block external light, then the detection of fluorescence signal is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescence signal detectionVSAvoidfilter layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light source function from a traditional top-illuminated structure and places it directly within the bio-layer at the reaction site. This eliminates the need for complex filter layers to block external light, as the excitation light is generated in-situ and only the emitted fluorescence needs to be detected by the image sensor below.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflective layer as an intermediary component between the light-emitting device and the bio-layer. This reflective layer directs the emitted light into the bio-layer to excite the fluorescent material, replacing the need for complex optical filter systems while maintaining effective fluorescence excitation and detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a filter layer is added to block external light, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescence signal detectionVSAvoidfilter layer fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the external light source and its associated filtering requirements from the system. By integrating the light-emitting device directly into the bio-layer, the system eliminates the need for precision-fabricated filter layers, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/optical filter layer system with an integrated light-emitting device and reflective layer configuration. This substitution eliminates the need for precise filter layer fabrication and alignment, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining detection precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If light is emitted vertically from the light-emitting device, then the structure is simpler, but the biochemical reaction efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight-emitting structureVSAvoidbiochemical reaction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light emission direction from vertical (perpendicular to the substrate) to lateral (parallel to the substrate) by positioning the light-emitting device within the bio-layer and using a reflective layer to direct light horizontally into the reaction regions. This dimensional change ensures effective illumination of the biochemical reaction areas while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local light emission by placing light-emitting devices at specific positions within the bio-layer corresponding to reaction regions. The reflective layers are strategically positioned to direct light locally into the bio-layer, ensuring efficient biochemical reactions only where needed, rather than uniform illumination throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration enhances the efficiency of biochemical reactions by ensuring light from the side-emitting devices is directed to reaction regions, reducing noise from external light and improving the detection of biochemical information.

Implementation Method 1

a light-emitting device 211, and a reflective layer 211a, 211c reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting device 211

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a reflective layer 211a, 211c reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting device 211

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

in the case in which a fluorescent material remains in the bio-layer 110

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 4

a luminescent or fluorescent material remains in the bio-layer 110

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Data Source

PatentEP2985593B1Biochip including side emitting-type light-emitting device and fabrication method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 OPTOLANE TECH
  • EP2985593B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2985593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a biochip (200) including a side emitting-type light-emitting device (211), the bio-chip comprising: a bio-layer (210) having formed therein a plurality of reaction regions (212) in which a biochemical reaction between a reference sample and a target sample occurs; and an image sensor layer (220) formed under the bio-layer und having formed therein a plurality of photodetectors (221), wherein the side emitting-type light-emitting device is disposed in the bio-layer, and light emitted from the sides of the side emitting-type light-emitting device is incident to the plurality of reaction reagions.