TRANSMISSION-BASED OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. An optical detection system for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample, said system comprising:
- an assay device that includes a chromatographic medium in communication with detection probes, said detection probes being capable of producing a detection signal;
an illumination source capable of relaying electromagnetic radiation to said detection probes;
and a solar panel capable of registering said detection signal produced by said detection probes, wherein said illumination source and said solar panel are positioned on opposing sides of said assay device so that said medium is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said solar panel, said medium being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source, solar panel, or both are positioned less than about 5 millimeters from said assay device.
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Abstract
A system that employs transmission-based detection techniques to determine the presence or concentration of an analyte within a test sample is provided. Specifically, the optical detection system contains an assay device that is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between an illumination source and solar panel. To enhance the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of the system without significantly increasing costs, the distance between the illumination source and/or solar panel and the assay device is minimized. The illumination source and/or solar panel may also be positioned directly adjacent to the assay device. In addition, the system may be selectively controlled to reduce reliance on external optical components, such as optical filters or diffusers.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optical detection system for detecting the presence or quantity of an analyte residing in a test sample, said system comprising:
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an assay device that includes a chromatographic medium in communication with detection probes, said detection probes being capable of producing a detection signal;
an illumination source capable of relaying electromagnetic radiation to said detection probes;
and a solar panel capable of registering said detection signal produced by said detection probes, wherein said illumination source and said solar panel are positioned on opposing sides of said assay device so that said medium is positioned in the electromagnetic radiation path defined between said illumination source and said solar panel, said medium being transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said detection signal, wherein said illumination source, solar panel, or both are positioned less than about 5 millimeters from said assay device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification