Luminescence based sensor
Inventors
Bakker, Jim Writser Peter • Ohman, Ove • Kurzbuch, Dirk • Ruckstuhl, Thomas • MacCraith, Brian • O'Driscoll, Stephen
Assignees
Dublin City University • Amic AB • Crimson International Assets LLC
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Publication Number
US-9291558-B2
Publication Date
2016-03-22
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensor comprising a substrate (100) having a first surface (105) and a second surface (110) is described. The first surface has at least one sensor site (115) provided thereon. The substrate is configured such that on excitation of a sample provided at the sensor site, luminescence originating from the sensor site propagates into the substrate, the second surface of the substrate being configured to selectively transmit the luminescence propagating within the substrates at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate where it may be detected by a detector (160) provided below the substrate.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a luminescence-based sensor substrate that includes at least one sensor site on a first surface. On excitation of a sample provided at the sensor site, luminescence originating from the sensor site propagates into the substrate, and the substrate is configured so that a lower optical redirection element selectively transmits luminescence propagating within the substrate at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate, thereby preferentially transmitting trapped supercritical-angle luminescence.
The disclosure further describes configuring the lower surface with an optical redirection element such as a ring lens, Fresnel-like perturbations, or a ring-shaped spherical structure. A complementary reflective optical element, including a conical mirror, a paraboloidal element, or an elliptical hollow mirror, cooperatively redirects the transmitted light toward a detector located below the substrate, and the cooperative arrangement defines an exit mechanism for light operably exiting the substrate and collimation of the transmitted light prior to detection.
In addition, the document emphasizes multiplexing by providing multiple sensor sites and increasing sensor site density through overlapping Fresnel structures or ring structures. The disclosure emphasizes improved collection of supercritical-angle light and operation without immersion oil or optical contacting, while also noting reduced optical elements for mass production and potential for stationary readers. Examples discussed include a human IgG assay detection result plot.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00004, clm-00015, and clm-00017, and they share a common inventive concept of using ring optical elements to selectively transmit luminescence at angles greater than the critical angle from a substrate, with a separate reflective optical element configured to redirect and colliminate the transmitted light to a detector.
Selective transmission of supercritical-angle luminescence using a ring lens and substrate above a detector
A substrate arranged above the detector with a first surface having at least one sensor site, wherein on excitation of a sample at the sensor site, luminescence propagates into the substrate, and a ring lens formed in the second surface selectively transmits luminescence propagating within the substrate at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate.
Redirection and collimation of transmitted luminescence using a separate circularly symmetric conical mirror
A separate reflective optical element comprising a conical mirror being circularly symmetric when viewed along an axis passing through the at least one sensor site and perpendicular to the first and second surfaces, co-operatively arranged with the substrate to redirect the transmitted light towards the detector, with the ring lens and conical mirror arranged relative to one another such that the light exits the substrate through the ring lens and is collimated by the conical mirror prior to detection.
Inter-engaged ring optical element and reflective optical element with a paraboloidal element
A substrate with a first surface having at least one sensor site and a ring optical element formed in the second surface, configured such that luminescence propagating within the substrate at angles greater than the critical angle is selectively transmitted out of the substrate; and a reflective optical element co-operatively arranged with the substrate to provide redirection of the transmitted light towards the detector, wherein the reflective optical element defines a paraboloidal element, the ring optical element and the reflective optical element are configured to inter-engage with one another, and the second surface of the ring optical element defines a recess within which a co-operable protrusion is receivable.
Substrate ring lens selectively transmitting luminescence at angles greater than the critical angle to a detector below
A substrate configured such that on excitation of a sample at the at least one sensor site, luminescence propagates into the substrate, and the second surface of the substrate includes a ring lens configured to selectively transmit the luminescence propagating within the substrate at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate where it is detected by a detector provided below the substrate.
Reflection and collimation by a conical mirror with a recess/protrusion interfit
A second optical element comprising a conical mirror arranged relative to the first optical element to effect a reflection and collimation of light exiting the substrate towards the detector, wherein the second surface of the ring lens defines a recess within which a co-operable protrusion formed on a surface of the second optical element is receivable.
Paraboloidal element providing reflection and collimation of transmitted luminescence
A sensor having a first optical element with a substrate and a second surface configured to selectively transmit the luminescence propagating within the substrate at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate to a detector below, and a second optical element defining a paraboloidal element, the first and second optical elements being configured to inter-engage and arranged relative to one another to effect a reflection and collimation of light exiting the substrate towards the detector, with a recess defined in the second surface of the first optical element receiving a co-operable protrusion.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is centered on a substrate with at least one sensor site that guides luminescence into the substrate, a ring optical element on a second surface configured to selectively transmit luminescence propagating at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate, and a co-operatively arranged reflective optical element, including a conical mirror or paraboloidal element, that reflects and collimates the exiting light toward a detector below, including a recess/protrusion inter-engagement between optical elements.
Stated Advantages
Improved collection of supercritical-angle light (SAF light).
Operation without immersion oil/optical contacting.
Reduced optical elements for mass production.
Potential for stationary (non-moving-part) readers.
Documented Applications
Detection in a human IgG assay, including a detection result plot.
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