Self aligning sensor array system
AssigneeAgilent Technologies, Inc.
InventorsRichard J. Pittaro, David Andrew King, Richard D. Pering, Shahida Rana, Frederick A. Stawitcke, Edward Verdonk
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Abstract
A sensor array is bonded to or molded together with a micro-lens array to form a sensor cartridge. The micro-lenses of the micro-lens array are configured to focus light incident on the sensors, into the sensors. An alignment structure has a mating profile that receives and engages one or more micro-lenses from the micro-lens array to laterally align the cartridge to enable repeatable precise positioning of the cartridge.
Claims18
A biochemical testing device comprising:
- a sensor cartridge having at least one sensor and at least one micro-lens physically coupled to the sensor such that the micro-lens focuses light into the sensor, the micro-lens having an outer surface,
- an alignment structure having a mating profile adapted to receive the outer surface of the micro-lens to position the sensor cartridge laterally;
- a light source for illuminating the at least one micro-lens;
- and
- at least one photo detector positioned to detect light emitted from the at least one micro-lens.
A sensor alignment system for aligning a sensor array in a biochemical testing device, the sensor array having a plurality of micro-lenses, the sensor alignment system comprising:
- alignment structure positioned in relation to the biochemical testing device and adapted to receive at least two micro-lenses of the micro-lens array in order to align the biochemical testing device with the sensor array, each micro-lens of the micro-lens array has a substantially hemispherical outer surface, the alignment structure having a plurality of substantially hemispherical mating profiles adapted to receive the substantially hemispherical outer surface of at least one micro-lens of the micro-lens array.
A biochemical testing device for receiving a sensor cartridge, the sensor cartridge having at least one sensor and at least one micro-lens coupled to the sensor such that the micro-lens focuses light into the sensor, the testing device comprising:
- an alignment structure having a mating profile adapted to receive the outer surface of the micro-lens to position the sensor cartridge laterally;
- a light source positioned in relation to the alignment structure for illuminating the at least one micro-lens;
- at least one photo-detector positioned in relation to the alignment structure to detect light emitted from the at least one micro-lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.