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  Method and apparatus for improved light collectionUSPTO Application #: 20060147347Title: Method and apparatus for improved light collection Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprises a waveguide, which comprises a structure in a channel adapted for the flow of assay fluid. In one embodiment, fluorophore is coupled to a surface of the structure, where the fluorophore has a receptor for an analyte (ligand) in the assay fluid and the structure is adapted to transmit optical signals from the fluorophore to a detector that is adapted to detect optical signals from the fluorophore coupled to the waveguide. (end of abstract)
Agent: Agilent Technologies, Inc. Legal Department, Dl429 - Loveland, CO, US Inventors: Leslie Leonard, David King USPTO Applicaton #: 20060147347 - Class: 422082110 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Chemical Apparatus And Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, Or Sterilizing, Analyzer, Structured Indicator, Or Manipulative Laboratory Device, Means For Analyzing Liquid Or Solid Sample, Measuring Optical Property By Using Ultraviolet, Infrared, Or Visible Light, Waveguides The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060147347. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This is a divisional of copending application Ser. No. 10/126,153, to Leonard, et al., filed on Apr. 19, 2002, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to enhancing the collection of optical signals. More particularly the present invention is a method for more efficiently collecting optical signals in a miniaturized system. [0004] 2. Background of the Invention [0005] Molecular assays have been successfully used to perform analytical assays. Such assays can be used for detection or recognition of antibodies, antigens, analysis of nucleic acid molecules, peptide detection, drug screening, genotyping and fingerprinting, and disease diagnosis. [0006] An assay can contain binding molecules of several disparate species of a single type or class of molecule (e.g., DNA, or protein), each species being placed on one or more points, or features, of an assay. Analytes, such as those found in a biological sample, are washed over the entire assay in a liquid medium. Analytes bind to specific features in the assay because of specific interactions between the analytes and binding molecules. Examples of such specific interactions include, but are not limited to, antibody-antigen interactions, sequence specific nucleic acid hybridization, ligand-receptor interactions, and protein-nucleic acid interactions. [0007] When an analyte is bound to a specific feature of an assay, a fluorescent molecule acting as an optical label can often be used to indicate the presence of the analyte. The fluorescent molecule is either attached to the analyte prior to washing over the assay, or it is attached after the analyte becomes bound to the assay. In either embodiment, the result is that fluorescent molecules are localized to those areas on the assay where binding of an analyte has occurred. [0008] Fluorescent molecules absorb light of a specific wavelength, and then emit light at a second wavelength. Detection of light of this second wavelength from an area on an assay indicates the presence of the analyte. As the volumes in the system decrease the resulting optical signals will also decrease. In a system where the instrumentation and optics of the detector are minimized, e.g., as in a handheld instrument, the problem of decreased optical signals can be compounded. [0009] In order to increase the accuracy of detection of the optical signals in a decreased volume, it is desired to collect the fluorescent signal in a more efficient manner. Therefore, in a situation where the biochemistry of a system results in a low signal, it is desired to have a method for focusing, enhancing or amplifying the signal. The present invention collects light more efficiently from a microfluidic domain, utilizing light enhancing techniques including waveguides, light pipes and refractive index medium enhancement. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In accordance with the invention, a method and apparatus enhancing the collection of optical signals is provided. An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprises a waveguide structure within adapted to channel the flow of an assay fluid. In one embodiment, fluorophore is coupled to a surface of the structure, where the fluorophore has a receptor for an analyte (ligand) in the assay fluid and the structure is adapted to transmit optical signals from the fluorophore to a detector that is adapted to detect optical signals from the fluorophore coupled to the waveguide. [0011] An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprises a waveguide, in a conduit adapted to channel the flow of an assay fluid. The apparatus further includes a reflective coating positioned on the conduit coincident with the opening, including at least one dielectric layer. The apparatus further includes detector adapted to detect optical signals from a fluorophore coupled to an analyte in the assay fluid, where the detector is positioned coincident with the aperture. [0012] An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals, further comprises an additive to alter the refractive index of the assay fluid positioned within a conduit. [0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of a waveguide finger structure. [0016] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an embodiment of a waveguide filter structure. [0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of an etched waveguide structure. [0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the end view of a coated channel. [0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of a light pipe. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Continue reading... 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