Highly sensitive bead-based multi-analyte assay system using optical tweezers
US6159749A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/25
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for chemical and biological analysis, the apparatus having an optical trapping means to manipulate the reaction substrate, and a measurement means. The optical trapping means is essentially a laser source capable of emitting a beam of suitable wavelength (e.g., Nd:YAG laser). The beam impinges upon a dielectric microparticle (e.g., a 5 micron polystyrene bead which serves as a reaction substrate), and the bead is thus confined at the focus of the laser beam by a radial component of the gradient force. Once "trapped," the bead can be moved, either by moving the beam focus, or by moving the reaction chamber. In this manner, the bead can be transferred among separate reaction wells connected by microchannels to permit reactions with the reagent affixed to the bead, and the reagents contained in the individual wells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.