Optical analysis on digital microfluidic (dmf) cartridges
AssigneeNicoya Lifesciences Inc.
InventorsTanya NARAHARI, Gordon HALL, Krishna IYER, Champika SAMARASEKERA, Arjun SUDARSAN
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Abstract
Provided herein are digital microfluidic devices, methods and systems for improving absorbance and/or transmission detection in electromagnetic radiation spectroscopy. For example, devices and methods are provided for determining the absorbance and/or transmission of light when analyzing a fluid (e.g., a droplet) including a target analyte of interest.
Claims21
A digital microfluidic (DMF) cartridge, the cartridge comprising:
- a bottom plate, the bottom plate comprising a bottom plate substrate and a plurality of electrodes operable to perform droplet operations;
- a top plate, the top plate comprising a top plate substrate;
- wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are separated to form a gap;
- and
- wherein the bottom plate substrate and/or the top plate substrate comprise a material that is transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation or wherein the bottom plate substrate and/or top plate substrate comprise a through hole that is transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
The DMF cartridge of claim 27, wherein the transparent conductive material is indium tin oxide (ITO).
A method for analyzing an analyte of interest in a droplet using electromagnetic spectroscopy, the method comprising:
- providing a digital microfluidic (DMF) cartridge;
- providing an electromagnetic radiation light source arranged to transmit electromagnetic radiation to a droplet disposed in the DMF cartridge;
- providing a sensor operable to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the droplet;
- directing electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation light source to the droplet;
- detecting the electromagnetic radiation at the sensor;
- and
- using a processor, analyzing an analyte of interest in the droplet.
A system for analyzing an analyte in a droplet, the system comprising:
- a digital microfluidic (DMF) cartridge, the DMF cartridge comprising a bottom plate and a top plate, wherein the bottom plate and the top plate are separated to form a gap, and wherein the top plate and/or the bottom plate are made of a material that is transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- an electromagnetic radiation light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation, and
- a sensor capable of detecting electromagnetic radiation.
-86. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.