Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in agriculture
Inventors
Levin, Ron • Beeland, Clinton • LeFiles, James • EGAN, Joseph • ZOLLERS, Timothy • Thompson, Jacob
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11747276-B2
Publication Date
2023-09-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
A point of use analyte detection and quantification system for agricultural applications is provided. Related methods are also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of analyte within an agricultural test sample composition. The system includes an optical assembly unit with a light unit and a detector unit adapted to fit within a portable housing unit, and a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses.
The cartridge system encloses an interferometric chip and a flow cell wafer within a cartridge housing. The interferometric chip includes one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, where the sensing layer is adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the agricultural test sample composition. The flow cell wafer provides a microfluidic flow cell for the agricultural test sample composition in the cartridge system.
Alignment means aligns the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion. This provides optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer while the cartridge is in the housing unit. The portable architecture supports analyzing agricultural test samples using the interferometric chip and the flow cell wafer in an integrated cartridge.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. The claim coverage centers on a portable interferometric detection and quantification system using an interferometric chip with sensing-layer waveguide channels and a microfluidic flow cell wafer, aligned in a portable optical assembly unit by alignment means.
Portable interferometric system for agricultural analyte detection and quantification
A portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of analyte within an agricultural test sample composition, comprising an optical assembly unit with a light unit and a detector unit adapted to fit within a portable housing unit, and a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses.
Interferometric chip with sensing-layer waveguide channels
A cartridge system comprising an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the agricultural test sample composition.
Flow cell wafer in the cartridge housing
A cartridge system comprising a flow cell wafer, and a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.
Alignment means for optical and microfluidic alignment
An alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion thereby providing optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.
The claimed inventive contribution is the combination of a portable optical assembly unit with a removable cartridge that contains an interferometric chip with sensing-layer waveguide channels and a flow cell wafer, where alignment means provides optical and microfluidic alignment when inserted into the housing unit.
Stated Advantages
Enables portable detection and quantification of analyte within an agricultural test sample composition using a cartridge system insertable and removable after one or more uses.
Provides optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer upon cartridge insertion.
Documented Applications
Agricultural analyte monitoring and detection within agricultural test sample compositions, including pathogen/microbe and pesticide/herbicide monitoring contexts described in the provided material.
Herbicide monitoring/discrimination using analyte detection and quantification contexts described in prophetic examples involving 2,4-D and dicamba.
Water quality and micro-biome monitoring contexts described in the provided material.
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