Partially Encapsulated Waveguide Sensing Chip Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio-sensing technologies face challenges in efficiently detecting analyte levels in samples using partially encapsulated waveguide-based sensing chips, particularly in aligning optical components and ensuring accurate optical coupling for effective light excitation and emission detection.
Innovation Solution
The development of partially encapsulated waveguide-based sensing chips with exposed edge regions for optical coupling, incorporating evanescent coupling between excitation and collection waveguides, and the use of alignment optical sensing sites coated with fluorescent markers for precise alignment and fluid sample interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensing chip is fully encapsulated in a housing, then protection and integration are improved, but optical alignment and coupling become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical coupling function from the encapsulated housing by providing exposed edge regions of the sensing chip that extend beyond the housing. This allows optical components to couple directly with the waveguides at the exposed edges while the rest of the chip remains protected and encapsulated within the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alignment optical sensing sites coated with fluorescent markers as intermediaries to facilitate precise optical alignment. These markers serve as visual references that enable accurate positioning of optical components relative to the exposed waveguide edges without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If edge regions are exposed for optical coupling, then optical alignment is improved, but protection and integration worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing selective exposure of specific edge regions of the sensing chip. Only the portions of the chip containing the waveguide edges require optical access are left exposed, while the remainder of the chip including the sensing surface and fluidic components is fully encapsulated within the housing for protection and integration.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment markers are used, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorescent markers on the alignment optical sensing sites that exhibit color changes or light emission properties. These fluorescent markers can be excited by specific wavelengths of light and emit at different wavelengths, providing high-contrast visual references for alignment while maintaining a simple device structure without additional complex alignment mechanisms.
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 accurate detection of analyte levels by ensuring optimal optical alignment and interaction, improving the precision and efficiency of bio-sensing applications while allowing for easy integration with optical readers and fluid handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
the excitation waveguide and the collection waveguide are evanescently coupled
Implementation Method 2
alignment optical sensing site coated with a fluorescent marker
Data Source
AI summary
Optical readers and alignment tools for detecting the level of an analyte. Described herein are small, disposable partially-encapsulated sensing chips for detecting an analyte level from a fluid sample (e.g., a blood sample) having an edge of the integrated sensing chip exposed to directly expose a plurality of excitation and a collection waveguides, as well as optical readers and methods of operating them. A fluid sample maybe applied to a sensing surface of the sensing chip in the housing so that an analyte level can be optically detected. Also described are methods of sensing an analyte using these devices and systems including an optical detector.