Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in healthcare
Inventors
Levin, Ron • Beeland, Clinton • LeFiles, James • EGAN, Joseph • ZOLLERS, Timothy • Thompson, Jacob
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12399172-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
A point of care analyte detection and quantification system for healthcare application is provided. Related methods are also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of an analyte within a healthcare test sample composition. The system uses an optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit adapted to fit within a portable housing unit, and it is designed for point-of-care use with a handheld portable interferometric detection/quantification platform that provides rapid time-to-result with stated detection-limit ranges.
The portable system includes a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the portable 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, where the sensing layer is adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the healthcare test sample composition.
An alignment means aligns the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion to provide optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer. The cartridge system encloses the interferometric chip and a flow cell wafer in a cartridge housing, and includes microfluidic and cartridge features such as an injection port, mixing bladder, micropump, optional negative pressure, and venting to reduce bubbles, together with optional alignment/keying, display/camera, wireless data transmission, and location means.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim specifies 4 inventive features in the overall portable interferometric system architecture.
Optical assembly with light unit and detector unit in portable housing
an optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit
Removable cartridge system with interferometric chip and sensing layer on waveguide channels
a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the portable housing unit and removed after one or more uses, the 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 healthcare test sample composition
Cartridge enclosing interferometric chip and flow cell wafer
a flow cell wafer; and a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer
Alignment means providing optical and microfluidic alignment upon insertion
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 claims cover the portable optical assembly, the removable cartridge with interferometric chip and sensing layer, the flow cell wafer enclosed in the cartridge housing, and the alignment means that provides optical and microfluidic alignment upon insertion.
Stated Advantages
Provides detection and quantification of an analyte within a healthcare test sample composition.
Rapid time-to-result with stated detection-limit ranges.
Supports point-of-care handheld portable interferometric detection/quantification using a removable cartridge system.
Provides optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer upon insertion.
Documented Applications
Prophetic example applications for interferometric detection/quantification of SARS-CoV-2.
Prophetic example applications for interferometric detection/quantification of avian influenza.
Prophetic example applications for drug detection.
Prophetic example applications for dental-office pathogen monitoring using a dental rinse sink and dental suction line.
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