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  Method of reading encoded particlesUSPTO Application #: 20080085565Title: Method of reading encoded particles Abstract: Microparticles 8 includes an optical substrate 10 having at least one diffraction grating 12 disposed therein. The grating 12 having a plurality of colocated pitches Λ which represent a unique identification digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light 24. The incident light 24 may be directed transversely from the side of the substrate 10 with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases. The micro-particles 8 can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The micro-particles 8 are functionalized by coating them with a material/substance of interest, which are then used to perform multiplexed experiments involving chemical processes, e.g., DNA testing and combinatorial chemistry. (end of abstract) Agent: The Small Patent Law Group LLP - St. Louis, MO, US Inventors: John A. Moon, Martin A. Putnam USPTO Applicaton #: 20080085565 - Class: 436164 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080085565. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATE APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Ser. No. 60/410,541 (CiDRA Docket No. CC-543), filed Sep. 12, 2002, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (CiDRA Docket No. CC-0649), and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applications Ser. No. ______ (CiDRA Docket No. CC-0649), each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [0002]U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (CiDRA Docket No. CC-0650A), filed contemporaneously herewith, contains subject matter related to that disclosed herein, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0003]This invention relates to optical identification, and more particularly to diffraction grating-based encoded optical elements/micro-particles for performing multiplexed experiments. BACKGROUND ART [0004]A common class of experiments, known as a multiplexed assay or multiplexed experiment, comprises mixing (or reacting) a labeled target analyte or sample (which may have known or unknown properties or sequences) with a set of "probe" or reference substances (which also may have known or unknown properties or sequences). Multiplexing allows many properties of the target analyte to be probed or evaluated simultaneously (i.e., in parallel). For example, in a gene expression assay, the "target" analyte, usually an unknown sequence of DNA, is labeled with a fluorescent molecule to form the labeled analyte. [0005]In a known DNA/genomic sequencing assay, each probe consists of known DNA sequences of a predetermined length, which are attached to a labeled (or encoded) bead or to a known location on a substrate. [0006]When the labeled target analyte is mixed with the probes, segments of the DNA sequence of the labeled target analyte will selectively bind to complementary segments of the DNA sequence of the known probe. The known probes are then spatially separated and examined for fluorescence. The beads that fluoresce indicate that the DNA sequence strands of the target analyte have attached or hybridized to the complementary DNA on that bead. The DNA sequences in the target analyte can then be determined by knowing the complementary DNA (or cDNA) sequence of each known probe to which the labeled target is attached. In addition the level of fluorescence is indicative of how many of the target molecules hybridized to the probe molecules for a given bead. [0007]Generally, the probes are either spatially separated or otherwise labeled to identify the probe, and ultimately the "target" analyte, using one of two approaches. The first approach separates the probes in a predetermined grid, where the probe's identity is linked to its position on the grid. One example of this is a "chip" format, where DNA is attached to a 2-D substrate or microarray, where oligomer DNA sequences are selectively attached (either by spotting or grown) onto small sections or spots on the surface of the substrate in a predetermined spatial order and location on a substrate (usually a planar substrate, such as a glass microscope slide). [0008]A second or "bead based" approach, for identifying the probe allows the probes to mix without any specific spatial position, which is often called the "random bead assay" approach. In this approach the probes are attached to a bead instead of a larger substrate so they are free to move (usually in a liquid medium). This approach has an advantage in that the analyte reaction can be performed in a liquid/solution by conventional wet-chemistry techniques, which gives the probes a better opportunity to interact with the analyte. However, this approach requires that each bead or probe be individually identifiable. [0009]There are many known methods and substrate types that can be used for tagging or otherwise uniquely identifying individual beads with attached probes. Known methods include using polystyrene latex spheres that are colored or fluorescent labeled. Other methods include using small plastic cans with a conventional bar code applied, or a small container includes a solid support material and a radio-frequency tag. [0010]The methods of uniquely identifying the probes, however, may be large in size, have a limited number of identifiable codes, and/or formed of material not suitable to harsh environmental condition, such as high temperature and/or corrosive material. [0011]Therefore, it would be desirable to provide probes that are very small, capable of providing a large number of unique codes (e.g., greater than 1 million codes), and/or have codes intrinsic to the probe which are resistant to harsh enviroments. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012]Objects of the present invention include a diffraction grating-based encoded micro-particles that are coated with a substance for multiplexed experiments, which are very small, capable of providing a large number of unique codes, and/or have are resistant to harsh environments. [0013]According to the present invention, an optical identification element attached to a chemical, comprises: an optical substrate; at least a portion of said substrate having at least one diffraction grating disposed therein, said grating having at least one refractive index pitch superimposed at a common location; the grating providing an output optical signal when illuminated by an incident light signal; said optical output signal being indicative of a code in said substrate; and the chemical being attached to said substrate. [0014]The invention is a significant improvement over chip based assay and existing bead assay technology, as discussed above. [0015]The microbeads are inexpensive to manufacture and the identification codes are easy and inexpensive to imprint into the microbeads. The codes are digitally readable and easily adapted to optical coding techniques. Thus, the optical readout is very simple and inexpensive to implement. The code is not affected by spot imperfections, scratches, cracks or breaks. In addition, splitting or slicing an element axially produces more elements with the same code; therefore, when a bead is axially split-up, the code is not lost, but instead replicated in each piece. Unlike electronic ID elements, the elements of the present invention are not affected by nuclear or electromagnetic radiation. [0016]The invention may be used in any assay or multiplexed experiment. The assay stick 7 may be reused or disposed upon completion of the assay. [0017]The present invention may be used with any known combinatorial chemistry or biochemistry assay process, and are especially adaptable to assays having solid phase immobilization. The invention may be used in many areas such as drug discovery, functionalized substrates, biology, proteomics, combinatorial chemistry, and any assays or multiplexed experiments. Examples of common assays are SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) detection, DNA/genomic sequence analysis, genotyping, gene expression assays, proteomics assay, peptide assays, antigen/antibody assays (immunoassay), ligand/receptor assays, DNA analysis/tracking/sorting/tagging, as well as tagging of molecules, biological particles, cell identification and sorting, matrix support materials, receptor binding assays, scintillation proximity assays, radioactive or non-radioactive proximity assays, and other assays, high throughput drug/genome screening, and/or massively parallel assay applications. The analyte can be labeled, detected or identified with any technique capable of being used in an assay with arrays or beads, including but not limited to fluorescent, luminescent, phosphorescent, quantum dot, light scattering colloidal particles, radioactive isotopes, mass spectroscopy, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), EPR (electro paramagnetic resonance), ESR (electron spin resonance), IR (infrared), FTIR (Fourier transform infra red), Raman spectroscopy, or other magenetic, vibrational, electromagnetic, or optical labeling or detection techniques. The invention provides uniquely identifiable beads with reaction supports by active coatings for reaction tracking to perform multiplexed experiments. The invention may also be used in any chemical and/or biochemical purification, isolation, or filtering-type process where bead or bead-like solid supports may be used (e.g., chromatographic techniques, such as affinity column purification). In that case, the above techniques for labeling, detection or identification may be used. [0018]The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019]FIG. 1 is a side view of an optical identification element, in accordance with the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method of reading encoded particles Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method of reading encoded particles patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080206884 - Sensor system with actuated structure releasing a coloured indicator - The invention relates to a sensor system for detecting a target substance, and for providing visual indication of a presence of the target substance. The sensor system comprising at least a first fluid system, and a second fluid system containing a coloured or colour inducing indicator substance. The sensor system ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method of reading encoded particles or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Biosensor and blood component analytical method Next Patent Application: Emissive compositions with internal standard and related techniques Industry Class: Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method of reading encoded particles patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.71206 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
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