# US 8,784,626 B2 · Bio-analysis using ball-ended incident and output optical fibers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,626 B2 - Document ID: US8784626B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/016,944 - Filed: 2011-01-28 - Published: 2011-10-20 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-28 - Assignees: Bioptic, Inc. - Applicants: Varouj D. Amirkhanian; Shou-Kuan Tsai - Inventors: Varouj D. Amirkhanian; Shou-Kuan Tsai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784626B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/44721: {by optical means} - G01N 27/44756: {Apparatus specially adapted therefor} - G01N 30/74: Optical detectors {(measurement of intensity, velocity, spectral content, polarisation, or phase of infrared, visible or ultraviolet light G01J)} - 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) ## Abstract A detection optics configuration for bio-analysis, in which the direction of incident radiation, the axis of the separation channel, and the direction of collection of the output radiation are coplanar at the detection zone. The detection configuration incorporates ball-end optical fibers to direct incident radiation at and collection of output radiation from the detection zone. The detection optics configuration may be implemented in an improved bio-separation instrument, in particular a capillary electrophoresis instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detection system for a bio-separation device in which bio-separation of a sample takes place, comprising: a separation channel having a first longitudinal axis along which the sample undergoes separation into sample components, and a detection zone defined along the separation channel through which sample components pass; a radiation source; a detector; an incident light guide having a second longitudinal axis, directing incident radiation from the radiation source to the detection zone, causing radiation to be emitted by sample components as they pass through the detection zone; and an emission light guide having a third longitudinal axis, collecting and directing emitted radiation from the detection zone to the detector, wherein the emission light guide and the incident light guide are positioned on opposite sides of the separation channel, and wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axis are substantially coplanar at least at or near the detection zone, wherein each of the second and third longitudinal axis makes an acute angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis, wherein at least one of the incident light guide and emission light guide comprises an optical fiber, and wherein the optical fiber has a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure, and that is spaced apart from exterior of the separation channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detection system of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is at least one of LED and laser. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The detection system of claim 1, wherein the incident light guide comprises a first optical fiber having a terminating integral ball-end structure, and the emission light guide comprises a second optical fiber having a terminating integral ball-end structure, wherein the ball-end structures do not touch exterior of the separation channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The detection system of claim 1, wherein the separation channel is defined by a capillary column. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The detection system of claim 4, wherein the bio-separation comprises capillary electrophoresis separation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The detection system of claim 1, wherein the emitted radiation is fluorescence radiation, and wherein the incident light causes radiation to be emitted by inducing fluorescence radiation to be emitted by the sample components as they pass through the detection zone. ### Claim 7 A detection system for a bio-separation device in which bio-separation of a sample takes place, comprising: a separation channel having a first longitudinal axis along which the sample undergoes separation into sample components, and a detection zone defined along the separation channel through which sample components pass; a radiation source; a detector; an incident light guide having a second longitudinal axis, directing incident radiation from the radiation source to the detection zone, causing radiation to be emitted by sample components as they pass through the detection zone; and an emission light guide having a third longitudinal axis, collecting and directing emitted radiation from the detection zone to the detector, wherein the emission light guide and the incident light guide are positioned on opposite sides of the separation channel, wherein each of the second and third longitudinal axis makes an acute angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis, and at least one of the incident light guide and emission light guide comprises an optical fiber, and wherein the optical fiber has a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The detection system of claim 7, wherein the incident light guide comprises a first optical fiber having a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure, and the emission light guide comprises a second optical fiber having a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure, wherein the ball-end structures do not touch exterior of the separation channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The detection system of claim 7, wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axis are substantially coplanar at least at or near the detection zone. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The detection system of claim 7, wherein the emitted radiation is fluorescence radiation, and wherein the incident light causes radiation to be emitted by inducing fluorescence radiation to be emitted by the sample components as they pass through the detection zone. ### Claim 11 A cartridge for bio-separation of a sample, comprising: a body, a separation channel defined in the body, having a first longitudinal axis along which the sample undergoes separation into sample components, and a detection zone defined along the separation channel through which sample components pass; an incident light guide having a second longitudinal axis, comprising a first optical fiber having a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure, directing incident radiation from an external radiation source to the detection zone, causing radiation to be emitted by sample components as they pass through the detection zone; and an emission light guide having a third longitudinal axis, comprising a second optical fiber having a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure, collecting and directing emitted radiation from the detection zone to an external detector, wherein each of the second and third longitudinal axis makes an acute angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11, wherein the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are positioned on opposite sides of the separation channel, and wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axes are substantially coplanar at least at or near the detection zone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The cartridge of claim 12, wherein the separation channel is defined by a capillary column supported on the body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A bio-separation system, comprising: a cartridge as in claim 11; a radiation source, wherein the first optical fiber is optically coupled to the radiation source; and a detector, wherein the second optical fiber is optically coupled to the detector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An electrophoresis system, comprising: a detection system as in claim 1; and a power supply providing a voltage across ends of the separation channel to effect electrophoresis separation, wherein separated sample components pass through the detection zone. ### Claim 16 A method of detecting bio-separation of a sample, comprising: providing a separation channel having a first longitudinal axis along which the sample undergoes separation into sample components, and defining a detection zone defined along the separation channel through which sample components pass; providing a radiation source; providing a detector; providing an incident light guide having a second longitudinal axis, directing incident radiation from the radiation source to the detection zone, causing radiation to be emitted by sample components as they pass through the detection zone; and providing an emission light guide having a third longitudinal axis, collecting and directing emitted radiation from the detection zone to the detector, wherein the emission light guide and the incident light guide are positioned on opposite sides of the separation channel, wherein the first, second and third longitudinal axis are substantially coplanar at least at or near the detection zone, wherein each of the second and third longitudinal axis makes an acute angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein the optical fiber has a terminating ball-end structure that is integral to the optical fiber in a unitary structure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the emitted radiation is fluorescence radiation, and wherein incident radiation causes radiation to be emitted by inducing fluorescence radiation to be emitted by the sample components as they pass through the detection zone.