Detecting and using light representative of a sample
Inventors
Fine, Alan Marc • Macaulay, Hershel • Kreplak, Laurent
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12022236-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An imaging device includes light sensitive locations that are separately sensitive to light received at a surface with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface, the light sensitive locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light sensitive locations are such that usable useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device.An imaging device includes light sensitive sources that are separately able to deliver light with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface. The light source locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light source locations are such that a useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device.An imaging device can include both the light source locations and the light source locations and the light sensitive locations.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an apparatus comprising an imaging sensor with an array of light sensitive elements at a sensor surface. Together with one or more walls, the sensor surface defines a sample space so that a sample can be placed on the sensor surface.
A disposable, single-use chamber cover is movable with respect to the imaging sensor. The chamber cover has a cover surface configured to be placed opposite the sensor surface and to contact the sample while the sample is placed on the sensor surface, where the cover surface includes spots of binding units configured to bind to a target chemical species in the sample.
A computing device coupled to the imaging sensor causes the imaging sensor to capture an image of the sample when a height between the sensor surface and the cover surface is between 500 nm and 50 µm. The disclosed arrangement enables image capture under a defined sensor-to-cover height in a lensless contact microscopy context.
Claims Coverage
The only independent claim identified is clm-00001, which specifies an apparatus with an imaging sensor, a movable disposable single-use chamber cover with binding-unit spots, and a computing device that captures an image within a defined 500 nm to 50 µm height constraint. Dependent claims refine the disposable cover structure, the mechanism used to maintain height, the types/composition of binding units, and the way binding-unit spots relate to sensor light sensitive elements for image analysis.
Imaging sensor and sample space for sensor-surface placement
An imaging sensor comprising an array of light sensitive elements at a sensor surface, one or more walls that together with the sensor surface define a sample space for a sample placed on the sensor surface.
Disposable single-use chamber cover contacting the sample
A disposable, single-use chamber cover movable with respect to the imaging sensor, the chamber cover comprising a cover surface configured to be placed opposite the sensor surface and to contact the sample while the sample is placed on the sensor surface.
Binding-unit spots on the cover for target binding
The cover surface comprising spots of binding units, the binding units configured to bind to a target chemical species in the sample.
Image capture within a defined sensor-to-cover height
A computing device coupled to the imaging sensor, the computing device configured to cause the imaging sensor to capture an image of the sample when a height between the sensor surface and the cover surface is between 500 nm and 50 µm.
Overall claim coverage centers on an apparatus that combines an imaging sensor array and a disposable single-use chamber cover whose cover surface contacts the sample and carries binding-unit spots for binding a target chemical species, with image capture performed by a computing device when the sensor-to-cover height is between 500 nm and 50 µm. Dependent refinements include spacing features for defining the height gap, mechanisms for positioning the cover to keep the height in range, specified binding-unit types, and aligning binding-unit spots with subsets of light-sensitive elements for analysis.
Stated Advantages
Small size, portability, ease of use, and low cost.
Reduced need for skilled operation.
Enables lensless contact microscopy-style imaging by acquiring usable images without lenses under near-field contact geometry.
Documented Applications
Health-care and point-of-care diagnostics including blood counting (CBC), cell-type detection, and multiplexed assays.
Fluorescence immunoassays for detecting target chemical species in samples.
Pathogen/bacteria detection and parasitic disease diagnosis.
Cytogenetics and cytogenomic screening including FISH and microarrays.
Tissue imaging via endomicroscopy and endoscopes.
Telemedicine concepts and data processing related to imaging.
Flowing (on-the-fly) imaging and sample transport for imaging use cases.
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