Biosensor

• US 20010028032A1
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sciperio, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sciperio, Inc.
• Inventors: Taylor, Robert M., Church, Kenneth H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,603,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/227.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/1215 Splitter
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12004 Combinations of two or more optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/125 Bends, branchings or intersections

Abstract

A compact integrated biosensor has an integrated light source and integrated optical detectors made with gratings, dielectric coating, or prism for specific wavelength selection to define signatures that identify elements, biohazardous materials, environmentally hazardous materials, biological substance or any chemical substance on the sample holders. A micropump draws gas, ambient fluids and samples to the sample holders. Electrical signals are provided from the optical detectors on output lines to the microprocessor. A device connected to the microprocessor compares characteristic responses to actual signal parameters. An output indicates the presence (or absence) of particular biological, chemical or environmentally hazardous material. A battery fuel cell or solar cell operated power supply provides electrical energy to the integrated light source and optical detectors. An ambient detector may provide a sample and hold memory for later releasing qualitative and quantitative information concerning the biosensor'"'"'s environment and environmental history. Output of the biosensor may be continuous, periodical or on demand, or connected to a read-out device. The biosensor is usable as a badge by personnel or is attached to vehicles or mobile or stationary equipment, or to remote collection vehicles such as drones.

Claims

1. Detection apparatus comprising at least one biosensor which includes at least one optical source, at least one sample holder for receiving substances, optical waveguides for transmitting light from the optical source to the sample holder, optical detectors for detecting the substances exposed to the sample holder and a microprocessor for receiving signals from the optical detectors and outputting data relative to the substances detected.

2. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the at least one optical source, the at least one sample holder, the optical waveguides and the optical detectors are integrated.

3. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein each sample holder comprises a substrata and etched channels on the substrate.

4. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein each sample holder comprises an optically transparent material acting as a waveguide for the light.

5. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the sample holder has a selective coating.

6. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the optical waveguides further comprise gratings for specific wavelength selection corresponding to substances to be detected.

7. The apparatus of

claim 6

, wherein the optical detectors communicate with the optical waveguides for providing peaks to define signatures corresponding to the specific wavelength for identifying substances detected.

8. The apparatus of

claim 7

, wherein the substances are selected from a group consisting of chemical elements, biohazardous materials, environmentally hazardous materials, biological and chemical substances.

9. The apparatus of

claim 7

, further comprising output lines connecting the optical detectors to the microprocessor for providing signals to the microprocessor.

10. The apparatus of

claim 9

, further comprising a comparator connected to the microprocessor for comparing characteristic responses to actual signal parameters.

11. The apparatus of

claim 9

, further comprising an output connected to the microprocessor for indicating presence or absence of a particular substance.

12. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising plural biosensors for sampling different biological, chemical or environmentally hazardous material.

13. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising an integrated micropump for drawing ambient fluids and samples to the sample holders.

14. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising an integrated power source connected to the biosensor.

15. The apparatus of

claim 14

, wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of battery fuel cell, solar cell and power supply.

16. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising an ambient sensor connected to the microprocessor having a memory device for recording and providing qualitative and quantitative information relating to ambient environmental history.

17. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein an output of the biosensor may be continuous, periodical or on demand, or connection to a read-out device.

18. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising an on board memory device for recording times, types and extent of biohazards for later retrieval.

19. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the biosensor is a badge attachable to personnel, vehicles, mobile equipment, stationary equipment, and to remote collection vehicles.

20. The apparatus of

claim 1

, wherein the biosensor comprises information on fluid samples and data on fluid quality and biohazards.

21. The apparatus of

claim 1

, further comprising alert devices connected in real time to the biosensor for alerting in response to samples detected.

22. A method for detection of substances with an integrated and compact biosensor comprising providing a sample on a sample holder, providing an integrated light source, connecting optical waveguides for providing signals from the light source to the sample holder, providing integrated optical detectors for receiving signals from the sample holder, and connecting the biosensor to a microprocessor for computing signals received from the detector and outputting data relative to the sample detected.

23. The method of

claim 22

, further comprising selecting specific wavelengths with gratings on the optical detectors, defining signatures identifying substances relative to the specific wavelengths of substances detected.

24. The method of

claim 23

, wherein the substances detected are selected from the group consisting of biohazardous materials, environmentally hazardous materials, biological substances, and chemical substances or combinations thereof.

25. The method of

claim 23

, further comprising supplying gas, ambient fluids and samples by an integrated micropump to the sample holder.

26. The method of

claim 25

, further comprising comparing characteristic responses to actual signal parameters with a comparator and outputting data indicating presence or absence of particular substances detected.

27. The method of

claim 22

, further comprising detecting different biological, chemical or environmentally hazardous material with plural biosensors used together.

28. The method of

claim 23

, further comprising providing an ambient sensor device for recording and retrieving data on quantitative information relative to environmental history.

29. The method of

claim 23

, wherein an output of the biosensor is provided continuously, periodically or on demand.

30. The method of

claim 22

, further comprising providing the biosensor as a badge attachable to personnel, vehicles, mobile equipment, stationary equipment, and remote collection vehicles.