PARTIALLY ENCAPSULATED WAVEGUIDE BASED SENSING CHIPS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

Optical readers and alignment tools for detecting the level of an analyte. Described herein are small, disposable partially-encapsulated sensing chips for detecting an analyte level from a fluid sample (e.g., a blood sample) having an edge of the integrated sensing chip exposed to directly expose a plurality of excitation and a collection waveguides, as well as optical readers and methods of operating them. A fluid sample maybe applied to a sensing surface of the sensing chip in the housing so that an analyte level can be optically detected. Also described are methods of sensing an analyte using these devices and systems including an optical detector.

主权项

1. A partially-encapsulated sensing chip for detecting a level of an analyte in a sample; the partially-encapsulated sensing chip comprising:
a housing; a fluidic input port on the housing for receiving the sample; a flow channel within the housing in fluid communication with the fluidic input port; a sensing chip within the housing, the sensing chip comprising a sensing surface in fluid communication with the flow channel, an excitation waveguide extending through the sensing chip and exposed at a first side region of the chip, a collection waveguide extending through the sensing chip and exposed at a second side region of the chip, wherein the excitation waveguide and the collection waveguide cross and are evanescently coupled at an optical sensing site on the sensing surface, wherein the first side region is exposed at a first outer surface region of the housing for optically coupling directly with the excitation waveguide, and wherein the second side region is exposed at a second outer surface region of the housing for optical coupling directly with the collection waveguide; and a waste reservoir within the housing in fluid communication with the flow channel for receiving the sample from the flow channel.