Single analyte molecule detection by fibre fluorescence probe
US7657133B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/6484
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for single analyte molecule detection includes: a light source (20) for generating excitation light; a dichroic mirror (22) disposed on a first path of excitation light generated by the light source, wherein the mirror directs excitation light into a fiber aligner (30); an optical transducer coupled to the light source by the fiber aligner, the optical transducer comprising an optical waveguide (40) made of dielectric material having a first dielectrical index; a photon detector (70) disposed to receive fluorescent back radiation, wherein when a test solution having a second dielectric index lower than the first index is provided and comprises one or more target molecules, excitation light is transmitted by the waveguide and exits a waveguide tip disposed in the test solution so as to excite one or more target molecules; subsequently, the waveguide transmits back radiation along a second path to the photon detector that detects the transmitted back radiation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.