Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in food processing and food supply chain
Inventors
Levin, Ron • Beeland, Clinton • LeFiles, James • EGAN, Joseph • ZOLLERS, Timothy • Thompson, Jacob
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11994504-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
A point of use analyte detection and quantification system for food or food processing applications is provided. Related methods are also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention is a portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of an analyte within a food processing test sample composition. The system includes an optical assembly unit with a light unit and a detector unit, each 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 comprises an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon. The sensing layer is adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the food processing test sample composition. The cartridge system further comprises a flow cell wafer, and a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.
Upon insertion, the system provides alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit. This alignment thereby provides optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer. The background-problem being solved is the need for portable point-of-use detection and quantification of analytes in food processing test samples using an interferometric approach with a cartridge-based architecture.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 defines three primary inventive groupings: a portable optical assembly, a cartridge system carrying an interferometric chip and flow cell wafer, and alignment means that optically and microfluidically align the cartridge contents to the optical assembly unit. Dependent claims refine this with quantified detection-performance constraints, selectable analyte targets, sensing-layer binding components, and specified data handling outputs.
Portable interferometric system for analyte detection and quantification in food processing test samples
A portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of an analyte within a food processing test sample composition, comprising an optical assembly unit and a cartridge system insertable into a portable housing unit and removable after one or more uses.
Optical assembly unit with light unit and detector unit in portable housing
An optical assembly unit including a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit.
Cartridge system with interferometric chip waveguide channels and sensing layer
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 food processing test sample composition.
Cartridge system with flow cell wafer enclosed in cartridge housing
A flow cell wafer and a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.
Alignment means for optical and microfluidic alignment upon insertion
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.
Quantified analyte detection limit
The system is stated to have an analyte detection limit down to about 1.0 picogram/L.
Detector sensitivity specified as pixels per diffraction line pair
The detector has sensitivity to at least 2 pixels per diffraction line pair.
Sensing layer binding components selected for analyte selectivity
The sensing layer contains biomolecular binding components suitable for binding one or more analytes in a food processing test sample composition.
Analytes selected from enumerated chemical and biological targets
The analyte is selected from a listed group including 2,4-D, dicamba, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, recombinant bovine growth hormone, sodium aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum, bisphenol-A (BPA), sodium nitrite/nitrate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, acrylamide, brominated vegetable oil, artificial food coloring/dyes, and dioxins.
Wireless transmission of analyte detection and quantification data
Data wirelessly transmits analyte detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server.
Overall claim coverage centers on a portable housing with an optical assembly, a cartridge carrying an interferometric chip with waveguide channels and a sensing layer interacting with analytes, a flow cell wafer, and alignment means that provide optical and microfluidic alignment upon insertion. Dependent refinements add stated detection sensitivity constraints, enumerated analyte targets, defined sensing-layer binding components, and wireless transmission of detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server.
Stated Advantages
Portable point-of-use detection and quantification of an analyte within a food processing test sample composition.
Selective binding or selective disturbance of analytes via a sensing layer on waveguide channels of an interferometric chip.
Optical and microfluidic alignment of interferometric chip and flow cell wafer upon insertion into the portable housing.
Stated analyte detection limit down to about 1.0 picogram/L.
Stated detector sensitivity of at least 2 pixels per diffraction line pair.
Wireless transmission of analyte detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server.
Documented Applications
Example food-supply-chain applications for detecting chemical contaminants/pesticides and pathogens in food processing contexts.
Prophetic microbiology detection concepts, including microbiome/fungi detection.
Example detection concepts for specific chemical analytes including 2,4-D and dicamba.
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