Optical detection apparatus and method of compensating detection error
Inventors
Yeo, Yeong-bae • Jang, Hyun-Soo
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10113964-B2
Publication Date
2018-10-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
An optical detection apparatus for measuring detection chambers of a specimen cartridge includes: a light source unit including light sources which are arranged along a scan line on which the detection chambers are aligned to be scanned, and configured to emit light rays to the detection chambers; and an optical detector configured to detect the light rays having passed through corresponding detection chambers disposed on the scan line. The light sources include main wavelength light sources which are used for measuring samples disposed in the detection chambers, and a sub-wavelength light source which is used for correcting a measuring error.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an optical detection apparatus for scanning detection chambers of a specimen cartridge. A light source unit emits light rays to the detection chambers along a scan line on which the detection chambers are aligned to be scanned, and includes main wavelength light sources and a sub-wavelength light source arranged next to one another along the scan line.
The main wavelength light sources emit light rays of first wavelength bands that are sensitive to an optical response of the samples disposed in the detection chambers. The sub-wavelength light source emits light rays of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength bands and is insensitive to the optical response of the samples. A limiting unit having an aperture limits luminous flux of the light rays so that the light rays are directed to a certain detection chamber among the detection chambers.
An optical detector detects the light rays of the first wavelength bands emitted by the main wavelength light sources and outputs first measuring signals indicative of characteristics of a certain sample disposed in the certain detection chamber. The optical detector additionally detects the light rays of the second wavelength band emitted by the sub-wavelength light source and outputs a second measuring signal indicative of at least one among foreign bodies and bubbles in the certain sample that cause measuring error in the first measuring signals. A controller receives the first measuring signals and the second measuring signal, corrects the measuring error in the first measuring signals based on a difference between the first measuring signals and the second measuring signal, and outputs corrected first measuring signals with the measuring error removed.
The disclosure includes scan-type arrangements where the integrated light-source array is disposed along scan lines in straight, card-type, arc, and disc-type formats. It also includes pulse-driven light sources and a synchronized optical detector, with time-division detection, and compensation for a light incident position mismatch using a time difference between driving times of the main wavelength light sources and the sub-wavelength light source.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It includes four inventive features: a dual-wavelength light-source arrangement, an aperture-based limiting unit, an optical detector that outputs first and second measuring signals, and a controller that corrects measuring error in the first measuring signals based on the second measuring signal.
Main and sub-wavelength light sources along a scan line
A light source unit includes main wavelength light sources emitting first wavelength bands sensitive to optical response of samples, and a sub-wavelength light source emitting a second wavelength band different from the first and insensitive to the optical response, arranged next to one another along a scan line on which detection chambers are aligned to be scanned.
A limiting unit with an aperture selecting a certain detection chamber
A limiting unit having an aperture limits luminous flux of the light rays emitted from the main wavelength light sources and the sub-wavelength light source to a certain detection chamber among the detection chambers.
Optical detector outputs sample characteristics and an error-causing signal
An optical detector detects light rays of the first wavelength bands emitted by the main wavelength light sources and passed through the aperture and the certain detection chamber to output first measuring signals indicative of characteristics of a certain sample, and additionally detects light rays of the second wavelength band emitted by the sub-wavelength light source and passed through the aperture and the certain detection chamber to output a second measuring signal indicative of at least one among foreign bodies and bubbles that cause measuring error in the first measuring signals.
Controller corrects measuring error using the difference between measuring signals
A controller receives the first measuring signals and the second measuring signal, corrects the measuring error in the first measuring signals based on a difference between each of the first measuring signals and the second measuring signal, respectively, and outputs corrected first measuring signals for the certain sample with the measuring error removed based on the second measuring signal.
Overall, clm-00001 covers an optical scanning detection apparatus in which main-wavelength measurements of sample characteristics are corrected for measuring errors by using a sub-wavelength signal indicative of foreign bodies and bubbles, with the correction performed by a controller based on differences between the two measuring signals.
Stated Advantages
Corrects measuring error in first measuring signals based on a second measuring signal indicative of foreign bodies and bubbles.
Outputs corrected first measuring signals for a certain sample with the measuring error removed.
Documented Applications
Scan-type optical detection for a specimen cartridge having scanning detection chambers, including lab-on-a-chip card-type cartridge and lab-on-a-CD disc-type cartridge formats.
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