Optical Waveguide Fluorescence Sensing for High-Throughput Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological sample analytical systems face challenges with scalability, high throughput, and cost efficiency, as they are either bulky and costly or limited in data readout and scalability, making them inefficient for high-speed, high-throughput applications.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of planar photonic waveguide illumination and back-side illumination (BSI) based CMOS image sensors, integrated in a liquid photonic system, which includes an optical waveguide for directing excitation light and a fluidic reaction channel for reagent exchange, enabling large-scale fluorescence detection with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced background noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional optical microscopic systems are used for high throughput sequencing applications, then large area scanning capability is achieved, but the system becomes bulky, complicated, and associated with high instrument cost and demanding maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical microscopic systems with a photonic crystal waveguide-based system that uses planar light guiding structures instead of complex mechanical optical components. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky optical microscopes while maintaining large area detection capability through the extended waveguide structure that can cover大面积检测区域.
Solution Approach 2:
The photonic crystal waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides excitation light, enables fluorescence detection, and provides a platform for parallel processing of multiple samples. The system integrates sample loading, excitation, and detection functions into a unified platform that supports high throughput applications without requiring separate complex subsystems.
2Volume of moving object
If smaller instruments using CMOS sensors for direct imaging are used for low throughput applications, then instrument size is reduced, but data readout capacity is very limited and scalability is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D CMOS sensor imaging to a 3D photonic crystal waveguide structure that enables light guidance and detection in multiple dimensions. The waveguide's vertical and lateral dimensions work together to achieve both compact size and enhanced data readout capacity through improved light collection efficiency and parallel detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key optical parameters by using photonic crystal structures with tailored refractive indices and geometric configurations. This enables superior light confinement and guidance properties compared to conventional CMOS sensors, achieving both compact form factor and high data readout capacity through optimized optical parameter design.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional systems are used to perform parallel detection of large area, then detection area is increased, but a time-consuming sequential scanning process is required
Solution Approach 1:
The photonic crystal waveguide structure is pre-configured with optimized light guidance paths and coupling regions that enable simultaneous excitation and detection across the entire detection area. This preliminary structural design eliminates the need for sequential scanning, allowing parallel detection of all sample regions at once and significantly improving detection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure enables continuous light propagation and fluorescence collection across the entire detection area without interruption or sequential processing. The evanescent field continuously interacts with samples along the waveguide length, maintaining constant detection activity across all regions simultaneously, thereby achieving high productivity with large area coverage.
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 provides a compact, cost-effective, high-speed, and high-throughput analytical system capable of large-scale fluorescence detection with enhanced signal strength and reduced instrument complexity, improving detection sensitivity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The optical waveguide includes a first light-guiding layer disposed between the first end and the second end. The first light-guiding layer is configured to direct, at least in part, the received excitation light toward the second end of the optical waveguide along a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide.
Implementation Method 2
The optical waveguide is configured to deliver the excitation light to biological samples disposed in the fluidic reaction channel.
Implementation Method 3
The image sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of light emitted from the biological samples as a result of the excitation light. The image sensor includes a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed at a first distance to the optical waveguide.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a system for analyzing biological samples. The system includes an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a first end and a second end. The optical waveguide is configured to receive an excitation light at the first end. The optical waveguide further includes a first light-guiding layer disposed between the first end and the second end. The first light-guiding layer is configured to direct, at least in part, the received excitation light toward the second end of the optical waveguide along a longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide further includes a fluidic reaction channel bounded in part by the first light-guiding layer of the optical waveguide, which delivers the excitation light to biological samples disposed in the fluidic reaction channel. The system further includes a backside illumination based image sensor.