Assay methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. An optical assay apparatus for detecting analytes in a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source module operable to produce light rays directed at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the assay apparatus;
an optical sensor optically coupled with the light source module and including a ray redirection portion and a sensing fiber portion, the ray redirection portion operable to receive the light rays produced by the light source module and to correspondingly provide light rays directed at an approximately constant angle to the sensing fiber portion to correspondingly produce an evanescent electric field, the sensing fiber portion collecting light emitted from the sample in response thereto; and
an interrogation module optically coupled with the optical sensor and operable to receive the collected light emitted from the sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical assay apparatus is described which includes a light source module and an optical sensing element coupled by an interrogation module. The light source module produces light having propagation angles ranging from a lower, non-zero limit. This is accomplished by including an obscuration which blocks low propagation angle light. The sensing element includes a reflector portion and an sensing fiber portion. The reflector portion receives, as incident light, the light produced by the light source module and produces, as reflected light, light having an approximately constant propagation angle, preferably just less than the critical angle of the sensing fiber. The sensing element also includes a lens position which collimates signal recovery light collected by the sensing fiber. The interrogation module includes a window containing a light source optical fiber that transmits light from the light source module to the sensing element. The light source fiber has an angled end with a reflective surface to form a right-angle reflector and is embedded within the window in a slot containing an opaque material for absorbing back-scattered light. The sensing fiber may be appropriately adapted for evanescent-wave or surface plasmon resonance sensing operations.
97 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An optical assay apparatus for detecting analytes in a sample, the apparatus comprising:
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a light source module operable to produce light rays directed at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the assay apparatus; an optical sensor optically coupled with the light source module and including a ray redirection portion and a sensing fiber portion, the ray redirection portion operable to receive the light rays produced by the light source module and to correspondingly provide light rays directed at an approximately constant angle to the sensing fiber portion to correspondingly produce an evanescent electric field, the sensing fiber portion collecting light emitted from the sample in response thereto; and an interrogation module optically coupled with the optical sensor and operable to receive the collected light emitted from the sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An assay apparatus, comprising:
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a light source module operable to produce light having a range of propagation angles; and a sensor operable to receive the light produced by the light source module, the sensor including a light adjusting portion and an assay sensing portion, the light adjusting portion receiving the light produced by the light source module and providing light of a substantially constant propagation angle to the assay sensing portion, and the assay sensing portion comprising a waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An assay sensor, comprising:
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a propagation angle modifier operable to receive the light having the range of propagation angles and to produce light having a substantially constant propagation angle; and a waveguide coupled with the propagation angle modifier and operable to receive the light having the substantially constant propagation angle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An optical assay apparatus for detecting analytes in a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source operable to produce excitation light; and
a sensor positioned in proximity to the sample, the sensor being coupled with the light source to receive the excitation light and to correspondingly produce an electric field within a portion of the sample to cause production of the emitted light; and an interrogation module coupling the sensor with the light source and including a window through which the emitted light passes into the interrogation module, the window having a groove in which is positioned a waveguide carrying the excitation light. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- a light source operable to produce excitation light; and
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37. An optical device having an optical axis comprising a reflective surface operable to receive, as incident light, light directed at a plurality of propagation angles relative to the optical axis and to produce, as reflected light, light directed at a substantially constant propagation angle, wherein the reflective surface has a shape corresponding to a curve described in a polar coordinate system as ##EQU3##
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38. An optical device having an optical axis, comprising a reflective surface operable to receive, as incident light, light directed at a plurality of propagation angles relative to the optical axis and to produce, as reflected light, light directed at a substantially constant propagation angle, wherein the reflective surface comprises a two-dimensional shape disposed symmetrically about the optical axis and described in the polar coordinate system as
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39. An optical device having an optical axis, comprising a reflective surface operable to receive, as incident light, light directed at a plurality of propagation angles relative to the optical axis and to produce, as reflected light, light directed at a substantially constant propagation angle, wherein the reflective surface comprises a three-dimensional shape disposed symmetrically about the optical axis and described in the polar coordinate system as
Specification