Methods to view and analyze the results from diffraction-based diagnostics

• US 7,098,041 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2001
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Atanassov, Zdravko Savov, Kaylor, Rosann Marie, Yang, Difei, Knotts, Michael Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Christopher L.
• Application Number:
  US10/013,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20060160245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 385/12, 385/129, 385/130, 385/131, 356/317, 356/318, 356/347, 422/55, 422/57, 422/82.08, 422/82.11, 435/7.21, 435/7.9, 435/7.92, 435/7.94, 435/287.1, 435/287.2, 435/288.7, 435/808, 436/164, 436/172, 436/518, 436/524, 436/525, 436/527, 436/805
• US Class Current: 436/518
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4788 Diffraction for sizing particles G01N15/0205
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/02 Food
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/493 urine
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/54373 involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 435/808 Optical sensing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/805 Optical property

Abstract

An analyzer useful in determining the presence of an analyte using a diffraction based sensing device and methods and systems using this device. The present invention may be used with a variety of different diffraction-based diagnostic methods and systems. The analyzer enhances the accuracy and/or usefulness of these devices in detecting analytes, while providing more ease-of-use and convenience to the user. The analyzer may include a light source, a photodiode, a microprocessor and a display system for informing the user of the result. Other features include mirrors, lenses, a sample holder, and a mask for blocking out some light. The analyzer and related method and system may be used in a large number of environments, including commercial, professional, and individual.

Claims

1. A method for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising:

providing a substrate that contains a patterned receptor layer, the receptor layer containing a receptor material;

binding the analyte to the patterned receptor layer on the substrate;

contacting the analyte-bound substrate with incident light to thereby produce diffracted light;

detecting the intensity of the diffracted light and the intensity of non-diffracted light; and

performing an algorithm that contains as variables the intensity of the diffracted light and the intensity of the non-diffracted light, wherein the algorithm is defined by a formula;

(the intensity of diffracted light at ≧

1st orders)/(the intensity of the incident light) and the result of the algorithm is used to determine the presence of the analyte.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising viewing the diffracted light.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident light is in the visible spectrum.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a light source containing an LED or a laser provides the incident light.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection is accomplished with a detector that contains a photodiode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the non-diffracted light is determined by measuring the intensity of the incident light before contacting the analyte-bound substrate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the diffracted light used in the algorithm is determined primarily from upper order diffracted light.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the intensity of the diffracted light is detected by blocking the non-diffracted light from a detector and then detecting the intensity of the diffracted light.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the intensity of the diffracted light is detected by blocking the diffracted light from the detector and then detecting the intensity of the non-diffracted light.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a mask is used to block the diffracted light and the non-diffracted light from the detector.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the mask has a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the diffracted light passes through the mask in the first orientation and the non-diffracted light passes through the mask in the second orientation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the intensity of the diffracted light is determined when the mask is in the first orientation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the intensity of the non-diffracted light is determined when the mask is in the second orientation.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing a user of the presence or absence of the analyte.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the patterned receptor layer is applied to a polymer film.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a metal coating is present on the polymer film.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the substrate has an optical transparency of between about 20% to about 80%.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident light transmits light through the substrate.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the incident light reflects from the substrate.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-diffracted light includes zero-order light.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm calculates the difference between the intensity of the diffracted light and the intensity of the non-diffracted light.

22. A method for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising:

providing a substrate that contains a patterned receptor layer applied to a polymer film, the receptor layer containing a receptor material;

binding the analyte to the patterned receptor layer;

contacting the analyte-bound substrate with incident light to thereby produce diffracted light;

positioning a mask in a first orientation to block non-diffracted light from a detector and then detecting the intensity of the diffracted light;

positioning a mask in a second orientation to block the diffracted light from the detector and then detecting the intensity of the non-diffracted light; and

performing an algorithm that contains as variables the intensity of the diffracted light and the intensity of the non-diffracted light, wherein the algorithm is defined by a formula;

(intensity of the diffracted light at ≧

1st orders)/(intensity of the incident light), and the result of the algorithm is used to determine the presence of the analyte.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the algorithm calculates the difference between the intensity of the diffracted light and the intensity of the non-diffracted light.