Methods and systems for delivery of fluidic samples to sensor arrays
First Claim
1. A method for simultaneously measuring a plurality of biological or chemical analytes in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate comprising a plurality of sensor elements, each said sensor element responding to at least one of said plurality of analytes;
providing at least one light source for directing light onto said sensor elements;
providing a delivery device having a plurality of reservoirs in communication with said sensor elements, said delivery device comprising a single sample entry port in fluid communication with a plurality of fluidic channels, said channels directly connecting said sample entry port to said reservoirs, wherein the delivery device meters and delivers a controlled volume of said fluid between the sample entry port and the reservoirs, and said delivery device further comprising a cover layer having a plurality of vent holes having hydrophobic walls disposed above said reservoirs, said cover layer further having a hydrophilic bottom surface for providing a hydrophilic roof portion above said reservoirs to facilitate transport of said fluid to said reservoirs;
delivering a sample fluid to the single sample entry port of the delivery device;
drawing sample fluid through said fluidic channels with the hydrophilic bottom surface to fill said reservoirs with sample fluid;
venting air from the delivery device through the vent holes;
impeding sample fluid from flowing though the vent holes and escaping the reservoirs with the hydrophobic walls of the vent holes to thereby deliver a metered quantity of said sample fluid to each of said sensor elements with said delivery device;
detecting a response from said sensor elements;
recording said response into a digital record;
processing said digital record; and
utilizing said digital record to determine a concentration of each said analyte in said fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for simultaneously measuring a plurality of biological or chemical analytes in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a substrate comprising a plurality of sensor elements, each said sensor element responding to at least one of said plurality of analytes; providing at least one light source for directing light onto said sensor elements; providing a delivery device having a plurality of reservoirs in communication with said sensor elements, said delivery device comprising a single sample entry port in fluid communication with a plurality of fluidic channels, said channels directly connecting said sample entry port to said reservoirs, wherein the delivery device meters and delivers a controlled volume of said fluid between the sample entry port and the reservoirs, and said delivery device further comprising a cover layer having a plurality of vent holes having hydrophobic walls disposed above said reservoirs, said cover layer further having a hydrophilic bottom surface for providing a hydrophilic roof portion above said reservoirs to facilitate transport of said fluid to said reservoirs; delivering a sample fluid to the single sample entry port of the delivery device; drawing sample fluid through said fluidic channels with the hydrophilic bottom surface to fill said reservoirs with sample fluid; venting air from the delivery device through the vent holes; impeding sample fluid from flowing though the vent holes and escaping the reservoirs with the hydrophobic walls of the vent holes to thereby deliver a metered quantity of said sample fluid to each of said sensor elements with said delivery device; detecting a response from said sensor elements; recording said response into a digital record; processing said digital record; and utilizing said digital record to determine a concentration of each said analyte in said fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification