Method and apparatus for improved light collection
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsLeslie Leonard, David King
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims22
An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprising:
- a waveguide, said waveguide comprising a structure, said structure in a channel adapted for flow of an assay fluid;
- a fluorophore coupled to a surface of said structure, said fluorophore adapted to bind with at least one analyte in said assay fluid, wherein said structure is adapted to transmit optical signals from said fluorophore;
- and
- a detector adapted to detect optical signals from said fluorophore, said detector coupled to said waveguide.
An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprising:
- a waveguide, said waveguide comprising at least one aperture in a conduit adapted to channel the flow of an assay fluid;
- a reflective coating positioned on said conduit coincident with said opening, said coating comprising at least one dielectric layer;
- and
- a detector adapted to detect optical signals from at least one fluorophore coupled to at least one analyte in said assay fluid, said detector positioned coincident with said aperture.
An apparatus for enhancing the collecting of optical signals comprising:
- a waveguide, said waveguide comprising at least one aperture in a conduit adapted to channel the flow of an assay fluid;
- at least one additive to alter the refractive index of said assay fluid positioned within said conduit coincident with said aperture;
- and
- a detector adapted to detect optical signals from at least one fluorophore coupled to at least one analyte in said assay fluid, said detector positioned coincident with said aperture.
A method for enhancing an optical signal comprising:
- receiving said optical signal, wherein said optical signal is generated from a fluorophore created by an optically tagged analyte;
- directing said optical signal using a waveguide, the waveguide having a structure, said structure adapted to channel flow of an assay fluid;
- and
- detecting said optical signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.