Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8142723-B2
Publication Date
2012-03-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
In one embodiment, a system for determining information about an assay incorporates a filter assembly that includes an optical structure configured to be removably attachable to a laser resonating cavity of the system, the optical structure being configured to form a portion of the laser resonating cavity such that it reflects light propagating through a gain medium in the laser resonating cavity when attached thereto. The optical structure can include a first surface having an array of one or more sites, each site containing an assay, and a second surface configured such that the second surface is disposed within the laser resonating cavity forming a portion of the laser resonating cavity. The optical structure is configured to optically interact with the assay to change one or more characteristics of light in the laser resonating cavity based on a reaction that occurs in an assay on said first surface.
Core Innovation
The document provides a removably attachable filter assembly and an optical assembly that together form a laser resonating cavity with a gain medium. The filter assembly comprises an optical structure including a first surface having disposed thereon an array of at least one site, each site containing an assay, and a second surface disposed within the laser resonating cavity when attached to the optical assembly.
The optical structure is configured to optically interact with the assay to change one or more characteristics of light propagating through the laser resonating cavity and reflecting from the filter assembly based on a reaction that occurs in an assay on the first surface. In one form, the optical structure includes an overlay layer with the array disposed thereon and at least one partially reflective film layer, with the overlay layer between the array and the partially reflective film layer.
A reaction occurring in the assay changes the refractive index of the optical structure, thereby changing an optical characteristic of light propagating in the laser resonating cavity and incident on the filter assembly.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a removable filter assembly and optical assembly forming a laser resonating cavity with a gain medium. Across these claims, the inventive features center on an assay array on the filter assembly and an optical structure whose refractive index changes as a reaction occurs in the assay, thereby changing an optical characteristic of the laser system light.
Removably attachable filter assembly forming a portion of a laser resonating cavity with a gain medium
A device with a filter assembly removably attachable to an optical assembly, where the optical assembly and filter assembly each form a portion of a laser system laser resonating cavity including a gain medium when attached.
Array of assay sites on a first surface and an in-cavity second surface
The filter assembly comprising an optical structure including a first surface having disposed thereon an array of at least one site, each site containing an assay, and a second surface configured such that the second surface is disposed within the laser resonating cavity and forms a portion of the laser resonating cavity when the filter assembly is attached to the optical assembly.
Optical interaction between assay reaction and cavity light characteristics
The optical structure configured to optically interact with the assay to change one or more characteristics of light propagating through the laser resonating cavity and reflecting from the filter assembly based on a reaction that occurs in an assay on the first surface.
Filter assembly with assay array and overlay layer between array and partially reflective film
A filter assembly removably connectable to an optical assembly forming a portion of a laser resonating cavity having a gain medium, where the filter assembly comprises an array comprising at least one site having as assay, and an optical structure including an overlay layer with a first surface having the array disposed thereon and at least one partially reflective film layer with a second surface, with the overlay layer between the array and the at least one partially reflective film layer.
Reaction changes refractive index to change an optical characteristic of cavity light
Configured such that a reaction occurring in the assay changes the refractive index of the optical structure thereby changing an optical characteristic of light propagating in the laser resonating cavity and incident on the filter assembly.
Overall, the independent claims cover a removably attachable filter assembly that includes an assay array on a first surface and an in-cavity optical structure on a second surface, where a reaction in the assay changes the optical structure’s refractive index and thereby changes optical characteristics of cavity light in a laser resonating cavity with a gain medium.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?