Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging via Dual-Bandwidth Spectral Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface plasmon resonance imaging systems face challenges in high-throughput detection due to complexity, temporal resolution limitations, and noise interference, particularly in scanning and single-frequency methods, which hinder the measurement of multiple points on a surface plasmon sensor effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for surface plasmon imaging without dispersive components, utilizing two different spectral bandwidths to generate and compare surface plasmon signal images, eliminating the need for scanning mechanisms and dispersive components, thereby enhancing temporal resolution and detection limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If scanning type surface plasmon imaging technology is used to measure multiple points on the sensor surface, then measurement coverage is improved, but system complexity increases and temporal resolution deteriorates due to additional scanning time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with an optical field division approach. Instead of physically moving a focused light beam across the sensor surface, the invention uses a broadband light source combined with dispersive optics to simultaneously illuminate and analyze multiple wavelengths across the entire sensor surface, thereby eliminating mechanical scanning components while achieving full-field measurement

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional spatial scanning to two-dimensional spectral-spatial analysis. By introducing the spectral dimension through broadband light and wavelength-dependent detection, the system achieves multi-point measurement without mechanical scanning, effectively adding a spectral dimension to resolve the contradiction between coverage and complexity

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

2Area of stationary object

If scanning type surface plasmon imaging technology is used to measure multiple points on the sensor surface, then measurement coverage is improved, but temporal resolution deteriorates due to additional scanning time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidtemporal resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system with an optical field division approach. Instead of physically moving a focused light beam across the sensor surface, the invention uses a broadband light source combined with dispersive optics to simultaneously illuminate and analyze multiple wavelengths across the entire sensor surface, thereby eliminating mechanical scanning components while achieving full-field measurement

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous full-field illumination and detection without interruption for scanning. The broadband light source continuously illuminates the entire sensor surface, and the detection system continuously captures spectral information from all points simultaneously, eliminating the intermittent nature of scanning and achieving uninterrupted temporal measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If single-frequency type surface plasmon imaging technology is used, then system simplicity is improved, but detection limitation deteriorates due to interference from thermal disturbances and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddetection limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from single-frequency intensity measurement to broadband spectral analysis. By measuring the spectrum across multiple wavelengths and identifying the surface plasmon resonance dip position, the system achieves wavelength-shift detection that is inherently more precise and less susceptible to intensity-based noise from thermal and vibrational disturbances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If interference type surface plasmon imaging technology is used, then detection limitation is improved, but system complexity increases and detection dynamic region narrows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection limitationVSAvoidoptical path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex interference optical path components from the system. Instead of using multiple beams and interference patterns, the invention directly measures the reflected or transmitted light spectrum at each point on the sensor surface, extracting the surface plasmon resonance information through spectral dip identification without requiring interference mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach allows for simpler systems with improved temporal resolution and wider detection dynamic regions, reducing noise interference and enabling high-throughput measurement of biomolecules by comparing images from different spectral bandwidths.

Implementation Method 1

the surface refractive index thereof can be changed, and the change can be measured based on the angle or frequency (wavelength) of the surface plasmon resonance mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

an imaging module...configured to receive a first bandwidth plasmon resonance light beam and a second bandwidth plasmon resonance light beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectral bandwidth filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP3861325B1Apparatus for surface plasmon resonance imaging
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 ACAD SINICA
  • EP3861325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3861325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3861325B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

A method and apparatus for surface plasmon resonance imaging are provided for imaging the surface plasmon resonance signals caused by the interaction of biomolecules. In particular, the method and apparatus can image the slightly spectral change in a surface plasmon resonance mode by comparing the light intensities of two bands in the frequency domain of the surface plasmon.