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US 10,036,703 B1Granted
Portable laser biosensor
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsKin Chiu Ng, Subrata Sanyal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hand-held laser based biosensor including modular components, combining absorption spectrophotometry and molecular fluorescence spectrophotometry, and including a sample cell module having an improved absorption path length.
Claims46
A hand-held biosensor comprising:
- a radiation emitting module including a radiation emitting module housing, a light source received within the radiation emitting module housing and configured to generate electromagnetic radiation;
- a sample cell module including a sample cell module housing defining a chamber configured to receive a solution, a sample inlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a waste outlet in fluid communication with the chamber;
- a first releasable coupling between the radiation emitting module and the sample cell module;
- an absorption detector configured to detect emission intensity produced by the electromagnetic radiation passing through the solution in the sample cell chamber and produce absorption spectral data in response thereto, the absorption detector including an absorption detector spectral filter;
- a fluorescence detector configured to detect molecular emissions produced by the electromagnetic radiation passing through the solution in the sample cell chamber and produce fluorescence spectral data in response thereto, the fluorescence detector including a fluorescence detector spectral filter;
- a processor in electrical communication with the absorption detector and the fluorescence detector, the processor configured to receive absorption spectral data from the absorption detector and fluorescence spectral data from the fluorescence detector;
- a display module in electrical communication with the processor, the display module including a display module housing, an absorption display supported within the display module housing and configured to provide an indication of the absorption spectral data from the absorption detector, and a fluorescence display supported within the display module housing and configured to provide an indication of the fluorescence spectral data from the fluorescence detector;
- a power source in electrical communication with the processor;
- and
- a second releasable coupling between the display module and the sample cell module.
7 more elements
A hand-held biosensor comprising:
- an outer casing extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
- a radiation emitting module supported proximate the proximal end of the outer casing;
- a display module supported proximate the distal end of the outer casing;
- a sample cell module supported intermediate the radiation emitting module and the display module;
- the sample cell module including a sample cell module housing defining a chamber and including a light entry port, a light exit port axially spaced by the chamber from the light entry port, a longitudinal axis defined by the light entry port and the light exit port, and a reflective surface configured to reflect light transverse to the longitudinal axis;
- an absorption detector;
- a fluorescence detector;
- a processor in electrical communication with the absorption detector and the fluorescence detector, the processor configured to receive absorption spectral data from the absorption detector and fluorescence spectral data from the fluorescence detector;
- and
- wherein the sample cell module includes an axial length between the light entry port and the light exit port, the axial length being at least 5 centimeters.
7 more elements
A method of constructing a hand-held biosensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample cell module including a sample cell module housing having a side wall defining a chamber and extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, a sample inlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a waste outlet in fluid communication with the chamber;
- providing a solution within the chamber of the sample cell module;
- providing a radiation emitting module including a radiation emitting module housing extending longitudinally between a proximal end and a distal end, a light source received within the radiation emitting module housing and configured to generate electromagnetic radiation;
- releasably coupling the distal end of the radiation emitting module housing to the proximal end of the sample cell module housing;
- providing an absorption detector at the distal end of the sample cell, the absorption detector configured to detect emission intensity produced by the electromagnetic radiation passing through the solution in the sample cell chamber, the absorption detector including an absorption detector spectral filter;
- providing a fluorescence detector configured to detect molecular emissions produced by the electromagnetic radiation passing through the solution in the sample cell chamber, the fluorescence detector including a fluorescence detector spectral filter;
- providing a processor in electrical communication with the absorption detector and the fluorescence detector, the processor configured to receive absorption spectral data from the absorption detector and fluorescence spectral data from the fluorescence detector;
- providing a display module in electrical communication with the processor, the display module including a display module housing extending between a proximal end and a distal end, an absorption display supported within the display module housing and configured to provide an indication of the absorption spectral data, and a fluorescence display supported within the display module housing and configured to provide an indication of the fluorescence spectral data;
- releasably coupling the distal end of the sample cell module housing to the proximal end of the display module housing;
- and
- providing a power source in electrical communication with the processor.
8 more elements
A method of detecting a substance within a fluid sample using a hand-held biosensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a sample cell module including a sample cell module housing having a side wall defining a chamber and extending a longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a sample inlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a waste outlet in fluid communication with the chamber;
- fluidly coupling a waste collection vial to the waste outlet;
- injecting a sample solution through the sample inlet into the chamber of the sample cell module;
- generating electromagnetic radiation with a light source;
- directing the electromagnetic radiation through the sample solution in the chamber of the sample cell;
- absorbing the electromagnetic radiation by the sample solution;
- sensing the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the sample solution by an absorption detector;
- generating an absorption signal of interest from the absorption detector;
- producing fluorescence emissions from the sample solution;
- sensing the fluorescence emissions by a fluorescence detector;
- generating a fluorescence signal of interest from the fluorescence detector;
- displaying an indication of the absorption signal on an absorption display;
- and
- displaying an indication of the fluorescence signal on a fluorescence display.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.