Systems and methods for measurement optimization

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and systems for detecting and or analyzing an agent in a sample with a chip having optical components incorporated therein.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 250,179, filed Oct. 13, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 618,453 entitled “Measurement Optimization Using Microlens” filed Oct. 13, 2004, the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates in part to a chip incorporating a microfluidic channel and a lens used to detect contents of the channel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Systems are known that utilize chips to receive a sample for optical inspection to determine whether an agent is present in the sample. The agents often include polymers, such as nucleic acids with detachably labeled probes bound thereto in a particular manner. The sample is passed through a detection zone where an excitation signal illuminates the probe. The labels of the probe are excited when present in the detection zone and emit an emissio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The invention provides, in its broadest sense, a system capable of rapid and reliable detection and / or analysis of agents, such as biohazardous agents. The system combines various technologies, including microfluidics and single molecule detection capability. In some embodiments, microfluidic channels and optics are incorporated directly into a chip, such that the optics can be produced in-focus and at a lower cost. Incorporating optics directly into a chip can reduce the impact that vibrations have on the reliability of information produced by the system. Incorporating optics into the chip can also allow numerous detection zones to be placed into a single chip, thus increasing the amount of information that can be derived from a sample in the chip during a given time frame.

[0015] In another embodiment, a solid medium provides a pathway from the microfluidic channel to the concave reflector along which the emission signal can travel without substantial refraction. In one embodiment, the solid medium extends from a wall of the channel to the concave reflector. Still, in one embodiment, a cover slip is adapted to mate with the chip to enclose the channel and the concave reflector is incorporated into the cover slip. In still another embodiment, the solid medium provides a pathway from the microfluidic channel to the illuminator along which the excitation signal can travel without substantial refraction.

Problems solved by technology

Prior art detection systems can have difficulty distinguishing emission signals from noise and / or disturbances within the system.

However, such compound lenses are often expensive and require significant amounts of space within a system.

This prevents such high numerical aperture lenses from being incorporated in many detection systems, particularly where multiple detection zones are desired.

Expensive and space consuming lenses preclude the utilization of multiple detection zones on a single chip in prior art systems.

In this regard, the amount of information that can be obtained from a sample in a given amount of time (i.e., throughput) can be limited in prior art systems.

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