Submersible light-directing member for material excitation in microfluidic devices
First Claim
1. A system for use in the optical detection of sample material in a-channel of a microfluidic comprising:
- a microfluidic device having an opening in a first surface and at least one channel having a detection zone in fluid communication with said opening;
a light-directing member separate from said microfluidic device, said member comprising a distal end, and a reflecting surface adjacent said distal end, said distal end being positionable within said opening such that when a light source is aimed at said reflecting surface, light reflects off said reflecting surface towards said detection zone within said at least one channel of said microfluidic device; and
a detector positioned to receive non-reflected light from said detection zone.
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Abstract
A system for material excitation in microfluidic devices is described. Aspects of the invention resemble a submerged periscope when in use. They allow for light to be redirected along a more advantageous trajectory as does the maritime device. A prism with a reflecting surface may be used to direct a laser beam along one or more microfluidic trenches or channels. Alternatively, a reflecting surface may be provided in connection with a simple support. Directing a beam along multiple paths is preferably accomplished by scanning a single laser across or around the reflecting surface provided. Provision may be made for at least a portion of the submersible used to function as an electrode to assist in electrokinetically driving fluids and/or ions within the microfluidic device.
109 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A system for use in the optical detection of sample material in a-channel of a microfluidic comprising:
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a microfluidic device having an opening in a first surface and at least one channel having a detection zone in fluid communication with said opening;
a light-directing member separate from said microfluidic device, said member comprising a distal end, and a reflecting surface adjacent said distal end, said distal end being positionable within said opening such that when a light source is aimed at said reflecting surface, light reflects off said reflecting surface towards said detection zone within said at least one channel of said microfluidic device; and
a detector positioned to receive non-reflected light from said detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for the optical detection of material in a microfluidic device having a media contained therein, said method comprising:
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submersing a distal end of a light-directing member in said media by positioning said member in an opening in a first surface of said microfluidic device;
directing light off a reflecting surface on said distal end towards a target region within a channel of said microfluidic device; and
collecting non-reflected light from said target region.
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32. A system for illuminating and detecting material in a microfluidic device comprising:
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a microfluidic device comprising a body having first face and a second face opposite said first face and at least one channel in said second face, said body further having at least one hole extending from said first to said second face and said hole being in fluid communication with said at least one channel, said microfluidic device further comprising a cover bonded to said second face enclosing said at least one channel and forming a reservoir at said at least one hole;
a light-directing member separate from said microfluidic device, said light-directing member comprising a distal end, and a reflecting surface adjacent said distal end, said distal end positioned in said at least one reservoir of said microfluidic device wherein light from a light source directed at said reflecting surface reflects off said reflecting surface and through a detection portion of said at least one channel; and
a light collecting apparatus positioned to receive non-reflected light from said detection portion. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification