FLUIDIC OPTICAL CARTRIDGE

• US 20150177118A1
• Filed: 12/23/2013
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Noble M., Recht, Michael I., Martini, Joerg, Curley, Tim, Kiesel, Peter, Sheridan, Martin, Johnson, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,324,020 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 15/1404 Handling flow, e.g. hydrodynamic focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1436 the optical arrangement forming an integrated apparatus with the sample container, e.g. a flow cell
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1459 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/145 by pattern of light, e.g. fringe pattern

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to an apparatus that includes a fluidic structure and optical components. The fluidic structure includes a transparent channel through which objects in an analyte fluid can travel along respective paths during operation of the apparatus. The optical components are configured to provide measurement light to the objects traveling through the transparent channel. The fluidic structure is configured to reversibly engage with a host structure. The host structure includes a source of the measurement light and electronics to receive and process output light emanating from the objects traveling in the channel. The fluidic structure makes an air-tight seal when engaged with the host structure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a fluidic structure that includes a channel through which objects can travel along respective paths during operation of the apparatus, the channel having at least one transparent wall; and

at least one optical component configured to provide measurement light through the transparent wall to the objects traveling through the channel,

wherein the fluidic structure is configured to reversibly engage with a host structure, the host structure comprising a source of the measurement light and electronics to receive and process output light emanating from the objects traveling in the channel.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical component comprises a light-redirecting element that can redirect the measurement light from the host structure to the transparent channel of the fluidic structure.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light-redirecting element comprises a lens, a lens array, a microlens array, a mirror, or a micromirror array.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluidic structure and the optical component are in a fixed spatial relationship to each other.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fluidic structure and the optical component are affixed to a common base plate.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the fluidic structure and the optical component are molded as one piece.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one filter assembly.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one filter assembly is disposed between the transparent wall of the channel and the host structure.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the channel comprises the at least one filter assembly.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement light comes from a laser, a laser diode, a light-emitting diode, a superluminescent diode, a diode-pumped solid state laser, a frequency-doubled laser, a frequency-tripled laser, or a frequency-quadrupled laser.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement light comes from at least two different light sources in the host structure.

12. An apparatus according to claim 2, comprising two or more optical components.

13. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the at least one filter assembly comprises a spatial filter.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a seal configured to reversibly engage the host structure.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the seal comprises a taper.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises a flange that is configured to engage with an interlock tab of the host structure.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mating end configured to engage a pipettor tip.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising the pipettor tip engaged with the mating end of the apparatus.

19. A disposable apparatus according to claim 1.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene, or polyethylene.

21. A method comprising:

engaging an apparatus with an pipettor tip, wherein the apparatus comprises;

a fluidic structure that includes a channel through which objects can travel along respective paths during operation of the apparatus, the channel having at least one transparent wall; and

at least one optical component configured to provide measurement light to the objects traveling through the channel,

wherein the apparatus is configured to reversibly engage with a host structure, the host structure comprising a source of the measurement light and electronics to process output light emanating from the objects traveling through the channel;

drawing analyte fluid into the transparent channel of the apparatus;

directing the measurement light onto objects traveling in the channel; and

receiving output light emanating from the objects traveling in the channel.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising processing the output light.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the analyte fluid comprises a biological analyte fluid.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the processing comprises using spatial modulation.