Optically based miniaturized sensor with integrated fluidics

An optically based miniaturized sensor for detecting properties of a given sample analyte comprising:

• a platform having a top and a bottom;
• a housing coupled to the top of said platform, said housing having at least first and second surfaces;
• a first flow channel extending from said bottom of said platform to said first surface of said housing;
• a second flow channel extending inside said housing adjacent said first flow channel;
• a cavity formed about said first surface of said housing and providing a passageway from said first flow channel to said second flow channel;
• and
• a thin layer of biosensing material covering a bottom portion of said cavity;
• wherein said thin layer of biosensing material is a surface plasmon resonance layer.

A hand held portable sensing instrument for detecting the presence of one or more sample analytes, said instrument comprising:

• a base forming an enclosure for housing a plurality of instrument components;
• a receptor coupled to said base and having an open end for receiving said sample analytes;
• and
• an optically based miniaturized sensor inside said enclosure and interfaced to said receptor via fluid passageways;
• wherein said sensor is a surface plasmon resonance sensor.

A hand held portable sensing instrument for detecting the presence of one or more sample analytes, said instrument comprising:

• a base forming an enclosure for housing a plurality of instrument components;
• a receptor coupled to said base and having an open end for receiving said sample analytes;
• and
• an optically based miniaturized sensor inside said enclosure and interfaced to said receptor via fluid passageways;
• wherein said optically based miniaturized sensor further comprises:
• a device platform having a top and a bottom;
• a housing coupled to top of said device platform, said housing having at least first and second surfaces;
• an inlet flow channel extending from said bottom of said device platform to said first surface inside said housing, said first flow channel having a first opening at one end coupled to at least one fluid passageway;
• an outlet flow channel extending inside said housing adjacent said inlet flow channel and having a second opening at one end coupled to a second fluid passageway;
• a cavity forming an opening about said first surface of said housing and joining said first and second openings of said first and second flow channels;
• and
• a cap covering an open area of said cavity.

A miniaturized biosensor for detecting properties of a given sample of interest comprising:

• a platform having a top and a bottom;
• a set of electrical connections extending from said bottom of said platform;
• a light transmissive housing having a first surface with a cavity formed thereon and a second surface, said housing coupled to the top of said platform;
• a light source coupled to said top of said platform inside said light transmissive housing, said light source arranged to emit light in the direction of said first surface;
• a detector coupled to said platform adjacent said light source and arranged to receive light from said second surface of said light transmissive housing, said detector operably coupled to said set of electrical connections;
• a first flow channel extending inside said light transmissive housing from an opening on said platform to said first surface of said light transmissive housing;
• a second flow channel extending adjacent to said first flow channel inside said light transmissive housing;
• and
• a thin film of biosensing material covering a bottom portion of said cavity;
• wherein said cavity forms a passageway from said first flow channel to said second flow channel;
• and
• a cavity cap forming a seal over said cavity.

A miniaturized biosensor for detecting properties of a given sample of interest comprising:

• a platform having a top and a bottom;
• a set of electrical connections extending from said bottom of said platform;
• a light transmissive housing having a first surface with a cavity formed thereon and a second surface, said light transmissive housing coupled to the top of said platform;
• a light source coupled to said top of said platform inside said light transmissive housing, said light source arranged to emit light in the direction of said first surface;
• a detector coupled to said platform adjacent said light source and arranged to receive light from said second surface of said light transmissive housing, said detector operably coupled to said set of electrical connections;
• a first flow channel extending inside said light transmissive housing from an opening on said platform to said first surface of said light transmissive housing;
• a second flow channel extending adjacent to said first flow channel inside said light transmissive housing;
• and
• a thin film of biosensing material covering a bottom portion of said cavity;
• wherein said thin film is a surface plasmon resonance layer.