Photonic crystal sensors with intergrated fluid containment structure
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorBrian T. Cunningham
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Abstract
Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid handling structures. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.
Claims18
A photonic crystal biosensor with an integrated fluid containment structure, the biosensor adapted for measurement of a sample, comprising:
- a fluid containment structure having a cavity for receiving said sample, said cavity having at least one internal surface;
- and a photonic crystal structure comprising a periodic surface grating structure formed in the internal surface of said fluid containment structure;
- wherein said fluid containment structure and periodic surface grating structure of said photonic crystal sensor comprise an integral, monolithic structure.
A biosensor comprising:
- an integral, monolithic structure having a port, a plurality of sample wells connected to the port, and a plurality of flow channels connecting the port to the sample wells, and a plurality of photonic crystal sensors integrally formed in the structure, wherein the sample wells and photonic crystal sensors are comprised of a structurally continuous material, each of the sensors positioned in a flow channel connecting the port to the sample wells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.