# US 2020/0400549 A1 · Classifying microbeads in near-field imaging > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0400549 A1 - Document ID: US20200400549A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/889,430 - Filed: 2020-06-01 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-28 - Assignees: Alentic Microscience Inc. - Applicants: Alentic Microscience Inc. - Inventors: Alan Marc Fine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200400549A1 ## CPC - G01N 15/1433: using image recognition - G01N 15/0205: by optical means - G02B 27/0031: {for scanning purposes} - G02B 27/1013: {for colour or multispectral image sensors, e.g. splitting an image into monochromatic image components on respective sensors (spectral imaging systems G01J)} - G02B 27/46: Systems using spatial filters - G06E 3/005: {using electro-optical or opto-electronic means} - B82Y 10/00: Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic - B82Y 20/00: Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals - G01N 2015/1472: {with colour} - G01N 2015/1493: {Particle size} - 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) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06E: OPTICAL COMPUTING DEVICES (digital storage using optical elements G11C13/04) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES ## Abstract Among other things, an imaging sensor includes a two-dimensional array of photosensitive elements and a surface to receive a sample within a near-field distance of the photosensitive elements. Electronics classify microbeads in the sample as belonging to different classes based on the effects of different absorption spectra of the different classes of microbeads on light received at the surface. In some examples, the number of different distinguishable classes of microbeads can be very large based on combinations of the effects on light received at the surface of the different absorption spectra together, spatial arrangements of colorants in the microbeads that impart the different absorption spectra, different sizes of microbeads, and different shapes of microbeads, among other things. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising placing a sample at a surface of an imaging sensor, the imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of photosensitive elements, the sample including (a) microbeads, at least some of which are attached to units in the sample, (b) and target elements, at least some of which are attached to the units attached to the microbeads, holding the sample statically within a near-field distance of the photosensitive elements, using the imaging sensor to capture a two-dimensional image of the statically-held sample including the microbeads, counting the microbeads belonging to each of two different classes in the two-dimensional image, or identifying locations of the microbeads of each of the two different classes in the two-dimensional image, or both counting the microbeads belonging to each of the two different classes and identifying the locations of the microbeads of each of the two different classes, and based on at least one of the count of the microbeads belonging to each of the two different classes and the locations of the microbeads of each of the two different classes, performing at least one of an assay, a count, a classification, and an analysis of the target elements in the sample. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the units comprise antigens of a pathogen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 in which the units comprise capsid proteins. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the sample includes fluorescent anti-immunoglobulin detection antibodies. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, in which the two-dimensional image comprises a first two-dimensional image, and in which the method comprises capturing a second two-dimensional image of the statically-held sample, in which fluorescence from the fluorescent anti-immunoglobulin detection antibodies is visible in the second two-dimensional image; and associating the microbeads in the first two-dimensional image with the fluorescence in the second two-dimensional image. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, comprising computationally overlaying the first two-dimensional image and the second two-dimensional image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the units are directed against cluster-of-differentiation cell surface antigens. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the target elements comprise antibodies. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, in which the target elements comprise anti-HIV antibodies. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, in which the target elements comprise hormones. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, comprising forming a monolayer of the sample at the surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the two different classes of microbeads have different respective absorption spectra. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the two different classes of microbeads have different respective ratios of intensities of different colors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the two different classes of microbeads have different respective sizes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the two different classes of microbeads have different respective shapes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which colorings of the microbeads are distributed evenly within each of the microbeads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which colorings of the microbeads are distributed unevenly within each of the microbeads. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which colorings of the microbeads are at least partially internal to each of the microbeads. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which colorings of the microbeads are at least partially on a surface of each of the microbeads. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, in which the two-dimensional image comprises a first two-dimensional image captured while the sample is illuminated by light including a first wavelength of light, and in which the method comprises capturing a second two-dimensional image of the sample while the sample is illuminated by light including a second wavelength of light, in which the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength.