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US 2007/0178607 A1Published application
Microparticle-based methods and systems and applications thereof
OwnerJames Prober, Xiumin Cui +5inventors
InventorsJames Prober, Xiumin Cui, Rudy Dam, Edwin Hendrickson, Xueping Jiang, Michael Perry, Larry Steenhoek
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Abstract
Microparticle-based analytical methods, systems and applications are provided. Specifically, the use of resonant light scattering as an analytical method for determining either or both a particle's identity and the presence and optionally, the concentration of one or more particular target analytes is described. Applications of these microparticle-based methods in biological and chemical assays are also disclosed.
Claims8
1-70. (canceled)
A microparticle based measuring system comprising:
- (a) at least two substantially spherical identifiable particles in solution, each particle comprising
- a capture probe affixed to the outer surface of the particle;
- wherein:
- 1) each particle is characterized by a unique resonant light scattering signature when scanned over an analytical wavelength range having a window spanning about 1 to about 20 nanometers, over a range of optical wavelengths from about 275 to about 1900 nanometers;
- 2) each particle is about 75 micrometers in diameter or less;
- 3) each particle has a refractive index between about 1.45 and about 2.1 over the analytical wavelength range;
- and
- 4) each particle has an outer optical region which is substantially transparent to light over said analytical wavelength range;
- (b) a tunable diode laser for scanning the particle over the analytical wavelength range;
- (c) an optical cell for holding the particles in a position such that the scanning diode laser efficiently illuminates said particles and scattered light is minimized;
- (d) a particle handling means for placing the at least two particles into the optical cell;
- and
- (e) an imaging means for detecting resonant light scattering from the particles and converting said light to an electrical signal.
10 more elements
A microparticle based measuring system comprising:
- (a) at least two substantially spherical identifiable particles in solution, each particle comprising;
- a capture probe affixed to the outer surface of the particle;
- wherein:
- 1) each particle is characterized by a unique structural resonant light scattering signature when scanned over an analytical wavelength range having a window spanning about 1 to about 20 nanometers, over a range of optical wavelengths from about 275 to about 1900 nanometers;
- 2) each particle is about 75 micrometers in diameter or less;
- 3) each particle has a refractive index between about 1.45 and about 2.1 over the analytical wavelength range;
- and
- 4) each particle has an outer optical region which is substantially transparent to light over said analytical wavelength range;
- (b) a tunable diode laser light source;
- (c) an optical cell for holding the particles in a position such that the scanning diode laser efficiently illuminates said particles and scattered light is minimized;
- (d) a means for contacting microparticles with analytes and reagents;
- (e) a microscope;
- (f) a digital camera and monitor;
- (g) digital image acquisition hardware;
- (h) a computer operably linked to the elements of (b)-(g);
- and
- (i) software suitable for controlling the elements of (b)-(g), capturing data, and processing the data.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.