PORTABLE LIGHT GENERATION AND DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20080003664A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BL Technologies Inc. (Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Stecher, Thomas, Barash, Eugene, Tysoe, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,820,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/287.2
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/0303 Optical path conditioning in cuvettes, e.g. windows; adapted optical elements or systems; path modifying or adjustment G01N21/031 - G01N21/15 take precedence

Abstract

A field deployable optical assembly for use in testing a light-responsive sample is disclosed. The assembly includes a microfluidic device, a first optical package, and a second optical package. The first optical package includes a light emitting diode (LED), a first optical device, and a first light-path control, the first optical package configured to guide and focus light from the LED onto the sample. The microfluidic device includes a tethered control substance. In response to a substance within the sample being associated with, and attaching to, the tethered control, the sample emits light. The second optical package includes a photo sensor, a second optical device, and a second light-path control, the second optical package configured to guide and focus the light emitted from the sample onto the photo sensor.

Claims

1. A field deployable optical assembly for use in testing a light-responsive sample, the assembly comprising:

a microfluidic device, the microfluidic device comprising a tethered control substance;

a first optical package comprising a light emitting diode (LED), a first optical device, and a first light-path control; and

a second optical package comprising a photo sensor, a second optical device, and a second light-path control;

wherein the first optical package is configured to guide and focus light from the LED onto the sample;

wherein in response to a substance within the sample being associated with the tethered control and attaching to the tethered control, the sample emits light; and

wherein the second optical package is configured to guide and focus the light emitted from the sample onto the photo sensor.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first light-path control and the second light-path control are configured and disposed to reduce direct transmission of light from the LED to the photo sensor.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first optical device and the second optical device each comprise one of the following;

a filter;

a lens; and

, a filter-lens combination;

the first optical device and the second optical device each comprise one of the following;

glass;

quartz;

polycarbonate; and

, a polymer material;

the first light-path control and the second light-path control each have one of the following shapes;

a cylinder;

a pentagonal prism;

a triangular prism; and

, a rectangular prism;

the first light-path control and the second light-path control each comprise one of the following reflective materials;

aluminum;

copper;

silver;

gold; and

, stainless steel;

the photo sensor comprises one of the following;

a Silicon photodiode;

a Silicon Carbide photodiode;

a positive intrinsic negative photodiode;

an avalanche photodiode;

a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor device;

a charge-coupled device; and

a photomultiplier tube;

the lens is one of the following;

a spherical lens;

a cylindrical lens; and

, a coated Fresnel lens; and

the LED comprises a Group III-V Nitride LED.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first optical device and the second optical device are coated with a thin film filter.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the microfluidic device comprises a microchannel.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the microfluidic device comprises a hybridization chamber.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the total mass of the assembly is less than 7.25 Kilograms(kg).

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein:

the total mass of the assembly is less than 5.5 kg.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein:

the total mass of the assembly is less than 3.75 kg.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first light-path control and the second light-path control are each less than 1 cubic centimeter in volume.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical mount;

wherein the first optical package and the second optical package are mounted within the optical mount on the same side of, and at an angle relative to, the microfluidic device.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein:

a first reference line disposed in the center of the first light-path control, defined by the orientation of the first light-path control, and a second reference line disposed in the center of the second light-path control, defined by the orientation of the second light-path control, each reference line creating a 30 degree angle relative to the microfluidic device, with a 120 degree included angle therebetween.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the angle is a fixed angle.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the angle is an adjustable angle.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the microfluidic device is separable from the assembly and disposable.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the field deployable assembly is configured to allow data communication with an external device.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein:

the field deployable assembly is configured to allow data communication with a personal digital assistant (PDA).

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the microfluidic device comprises a microarray apparatus.

19. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a heater disposed and configured to confirm the identity of the sample substance attached to the tethered control.

20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the first optical device is configured to filter out wavelengths of light emitted from the sample.

21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the second optical device is configured to filter out wavelengths of light emitted from the LED.

22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the second light-path control comprises surfaces that taper inward at a distance from the photo sensor.