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AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsEric P. Codner, Robert M. Corn
Estimating the term…
A surface plasmon resonant device provides practical portable operation through the use of a low power high efficiency LED source and a high-efficiency prism sample cell pre-loaded with probe molecules and sealed for field use. A simple mechanical control allows adjustment of angulation of the light and camera for accurate response outside of the laboratory.
A portable surface plasmon resonance imaging system comprising:
A portable surface plasmon resonance imaging system comprising:
A disposable sampling cell for surface plasmon resonance imaging comprising a support material of transparent polymer coated with a metallic film having probe molecules attached to an exposed side of the metallic film, the sampling surface further includes an integral flow cell portion defining a cavity next to the side of the metallic film having the attached probe molecules for the flow of sample material from a flow cell inlet to a flow cell outlet.
A disposable sampling cell for surface plasmon resonance imaging comprising a prism of transparent polymer coated with a metallic film having probe molecules attached to an exposed side of the metallic film.
A portable surface plasmon resonance imaging system comprising:
A portable surface plasmon resonance imaging system suitable for field use comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Attenuated total reflection: and using surface plasmons
Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties
Term end not estimated
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The present invention relates to instruments for chemical and biological analyses employing surface plasmon resonance, and in particular, to a portable version of such an instrument suitable for field use.
In surface plasmon resonance imaging, a sensor consisting of a thin metallic film is illuminated by polarized light of an appropriate wavelength and angle of incidence on a “reflecting” side of the film. The energy from the light couples to electrons of the metal of the film creating a resonant condition (surface plasmon resonance) that is highly sensitive to surface conditions on a “sensing” side of the film opposite the side that is illuminated.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable SPR device of the present invention attached to a laptop computer for fieldwork;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 with one side wall removed to show an internal sample cell, an angulation mechanism holding a solid state camera and LED light source, and a pump;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sample cell of FIG. 2, such as provides an integrated flow cell, metal film, and prism;
Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable SPR device 10 includes an analyzer unit 12 attached, via a data and power cable 14, to a conventional laptop computer 16 or other standard computer system. The data and power cable 14 may, for example, be a universal serial bus (USB) cable such as provides a path allowing the analyzer unit 12 to receive power from the batteries or other power supply of the conventional laptop computer 16 and communicate data to the conventional laptop computer 16.
The analyzer unit 12 includes a generally box-shaped housing 18 such as may be comfortably held by an individual in one hand. An angulation knob 20, to be described in more detail below, extends from one vertical sidewall of the housing 18. A top wall of the housing 18 provides a sample inlet port 22 into which a sample for testing may be introduced and a sample outlet port 24 which may be connected to a self-contained vacuum port 26. The housing 18 is preferably of a rugged, opaque material, for example, aluminum or plastic.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a sample including generally a carrier liquid such as water and molecules to be analyzed, may enter the sample inlet port 22, introduced by pipette or other instrument. The sample then passes through interface plate 32, exposed at the upper wall of the housing 18, to be received by an integrated test cell 28. From the integrated test cell 28, the sample passes to the sample outlet port 24 to be drawn through tubing 30 to the vacuum port 26. The vacuum port 26 communicates with a filter trap 34 trapping the sample and filtering liquid from air, the latter which passes through electric pump 36 to be exhausted via channel 38 through a side wall of the housing 18.