# US 11,994,504 B2 · Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in food processing and food supply chain > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,994,504 B2 - Document ID: US11994504B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/448,076 - Filed: 2021-09-20 - Published: 2022-03-24 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-18 - Assignees: Salvus, LLC - Applicants: Salvus, LLC - Inventors: Ron Levin; Clinton Beeland; James LeFiles; Joseph Egan; Timothy Zollers; Jacob Thompson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11994504B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/02: Food - G01N 21/45: using interferometric methods; using Schlieren methods - G01N 21/7703: {using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides (using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B)} - H04N 23/53: of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable - G01N 21/0332: {with temperature control (control of temperature G05D23/00; cryostats F17C3/08)} - G01N 2021/158: {Eliminating condensation} - G01N 2021/7763: {Sample through flow} - G01N 2021/7779: {interferometric} - G01N 2201/0221: Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A point of use analyte detection and quantification system for food or food processing applications is provided. Related methods are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of analyte within a food processing test sample composition, the system comprising: an optical assembly unit, the optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit; a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses, the cartridge system comprising: an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the food processing test sample composition; a flow cell wafer; and a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer; and an alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion thereby providing optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the portable housing is sized and shaped to fit in a user's hand. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, further comprising at least one display unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, further comprising an external camera, the external camera adapted to capture a photo or video. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, the alignment means comprising at least one male key portion on an exterior surface of the cartridge housing for engaging and securing the cartridge within a corresponding female rail of the optical assembly unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the sensing layer comprises one or more antigens, antibodies, DNA microarrays, polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, or molecularly imprinted polymers, or immunoglobulins suitable for binding one or more analytes within a food processing test sample composition. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, configured to analyze the light signals from two or more waveguide channels to detect the presence of an analyte that individual waveguides channels could not have detected alone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the one or more waveguide flow channels each comprises a different sensitive layer to allow the system to detect different analytes on each waveguide flow channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the sensitive layer is configured to bind one or more antibodies, virus antigens, virus proteins, bacteria, fungi, pathogen, RNA, chemical, mRNA or any combination thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, having an analyte detection limit down to about 1.0 picogram/L. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, having an analyte detection limit down to about 1000 pfu/ml. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the detector has sensitivity to at least 2 pixels per diffraction line pair. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, further comprising a location means adapted to determine the physical location of the system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the analyte is one or more of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), dicamba (2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid), butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, recombinant bovine growth hormone, sodium aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum, sulfate, bisphenol-A (BPA), sodium nitrite/nitrate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, acrylamide, brominated vegetable oil, artificial food coloring/dyes, and dioxins. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method of detecting and quantifying the level of analyte in a food processing test sample composition, the method comprising the steps of: collecting a food processing target sample containing one or more analytes; introducing the food processing, target sample to the portable interferometric system of claim 1; initiating waveguide interferometry on the test sample composition; and processing any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the step of transmitting data includes wirelessly transmitting analyte detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying data related to the presence of analyte in the test sample composition on the display unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the food processing target sample is taken from a foodstuff, packaging, processing fluid, tank, vessel, food processing equipment, food storage equipment, or water, soil or air within or surrounding a food processing environment. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the food processing target sample is in the form of, dissolved in, or suspended in a liquid or a gas. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the data resulting from the waveguide interferometry is provided at or under 30 minutes. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: entering an identification associated with the target sample; mixing the target sample with a buffer solution to form a food processing test sample composition; and transmitting any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The portable interferometric system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge housing comprises a vent port for allowing air to exit and prevent bubble formation.