Measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9557260-B2
Publication Date
2017-01-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively, comprising a sample carrier having a carrier layer and a sample layer having an analysis side and a light outlet side opposite the analysis side, and comprising a photosensitive sensor having a plurality of photodetectors on a carrying body and having a transparent surface layer arranged over the photodetectors. A plurality of test sections are arranged on the analysis side at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the sample layer. The analysis side is arranged on the carrier layer in such a way that the test sections face a volume of a microfluidic system. The sample carrier is detachably arranged in an accommodating device, so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged over the photodetectors. Furthermore, the distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 μm.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively. The arrangement comprises a sample carrier with a transparent carrier layer and a sample layer, and a photosensitive sensor with a plurality of photodetectors arranged on a carrier body under a transparent cover layer. The photosensitive sensor is arranged in a base body and is configured to capture test sections and evaluate time-dependent behavior of a detected optical signal for quantitative evaluation of analyte presence.
The sample carrier includes a carrier layer having a discharge section, a microfluidic system, and a reservoir, where the discharge section is connected via the microfluidic system to the reservoir. The microfluidic system includes at least one channel. On the analysis side of the sample layer, a plurality of test sections are arranged in a longitudinal direction, each test section comprising a reagent corresponding to an analyte in a sample material transported in the microfluidic system for producing the reaction, with the test sections facing a volume of the channel.
The cover layer and the sample layer are disposed between the test sections and the photodetectors, with the cover layer thickness less than 500 μm and the sample layer thickness less than 200 μm, so that the distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 μm. In this arrangement, at least 99.5% of electromagnetic radiation coming from a test section and reaching the photosensitive sensor is incidental on three photodetectors, supported by a photodetector layout in which multiple photodetectors are disposed between photodetectors directly underneath adjacent test sections.
The arrangement further constrains relative positioning by defining that a center-to-center distance between a first test section and a second test section is greater than or equal to 3-times a center-to-center distance of adjacent photodetectors. The sample carrier is arranged detachably in a mounting device of the base body so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged above the photodetectors, enabling quantitative optical evaluation of the reaction through time-dependent detected optical signals.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present, each directed to a measuring arrangement for quantitative optical evaluation of a chemical reaction using a microfluidic sample carrier with multiple reagent test sections and an underlying photosensitive sensor. The core inventive features in both claims overlap heavily and include quantitative optical evaluation via time-dependent optical signal detection, microfluidic discharge connected to a reservoir, detachable sample carrier arrangement, and tight geometric constraints between test sections and photodetectors.
Quantitative optical evaluation using time-dependent optical signal capture
The photosensitive sensor is configured to capture the test section and evaluate the time-dependent behavior of a detected optical signal for quantitative presence of the analyte in the sample material.
Microfluidic discharge section connected to a reservoir
The carrier layer comprises a discharge section, a microfluidic system and a reservoir, with the discharge section connected via the microfluidic system to the reservoir, the microfluidic system comprising at least one channel.
Longitudinal array of reagent test sections facing the microfluidic channel volume
On the analysis side of the sample layer, a plurality of test sections are arranged in a longitudinal direction, each test section comprising a reagent corresponding to an analyte in a sample material transported in the microfluidic system for producing the reaction, with the test sections facing a volume of the channel.
Detachable sample carrier mounting aligning light outlet side to the photosensitive sensor
The sample carrier is arranged detachably in a mounting device of the base body so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged above the photodetectors.
Sub-500 μm cover and sub-200 μm sample layers to reduce test-section to photodetector distance
The cover layer and the sample layer are disposed between the test sections and the photodetectors, wherein the thickness of the cover layer is less than 500 μm and the thickness of the sample layer is less than 200 μm such that a distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 μm and at least 99.5% of electromagnetic radiation from a test section reaching the photosensitive sensor is incidental on three photodetectors.
Photodetector arrangement spanning between adjacent test sections
The plurality of photodetectors comprises a first photodetector disposed directly underneath a first test section and a second photodetector disposed directly underneath a second test section, and at least three additional photodetectors disposed between the first photodetector and the second photodetector, with the first test section disposed adjacent the second test section.
Test-section spacing constrained relative to adjacent photodetector center-to-center distance
A center-to-center distance between the first test section and the second test section is greater than or equal to 3-times the center-to-center distance of adjacent photodetectors.
Both independent claims define a quantitative optical measuring arrangement in which a microfluidic-connected, detachable sample carrier with multiple reagent test sections is positioned above an underlying photosensitive sensor. The claims focus on time-dependent optical signal evaluation correlated to analyte presence and on a constrained optical/electrical geometry, particularly sub-500 μm cover and sub-200 μm sample layers that keep the test-section-to-photodetector distance below 700 μm while providing specified photodetector incidence behavior and a constrained spacing relationship between test sections and adjacent photodetectors.
Stated Advantages
Improving signal-to-noise ratio and lowering detection threshold by minimizing the distance between each test section and the underlying photodetectors.
Providing at least 99.5% of electromagnetic radiation reaching the photosensitive sensor as incidental on three photodetectors.
Supporting reduced crosstalk by using the defined test-section to photodetector distance constraints.
Documented Applications
Quantitative optical evaluation of a chemical reaction by optically capturing and time-dependently evaluating detected optical signals from multiple test sections on a microfluidic sample carrier.
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