Micro-optical cavity with fluidic transport chip for bioparticle analysis

摘要

This invention provides new methods and apparatus for rapidly analyzing single bioparticles to assess their material condition and health status. The methods are enabled by a resonant cavity to measure optical properties related to the bioparticle size and refractive index. Refractive index measurements are useful for determining material properties and biomolecular composition of the bioparticle. These properties and composition are dependent on the health state of the bioparticle. Thus, measured optical properties can be used to differentiate normal (healthy) and abnormal (diseased) states of bioparticles derived from cells or tissues. The methods are illustrated with data obtained from a resonator with a gain medium. The invention also provides new methods for multiple measurements in a single device, analyzing and manipulating bioparticles that are much smaller than the wavelength of light, and provides a microfluidic transport chip to enable rapid single bioparticle analysis of large populations of bioparticles.

主权项

1. An apparatus for analyzing a bioparticle in an optical cavity, said apparatus comprising:
a light source to establish optical resonance and a standing wave in said optical cavity; a photodetector for detecting light emitted from the optical cavity; and the optical cavity comprising:
a fluid transport chip having:
a first surface;a pair of reservoirs spaced along said first surface, each reservoir recessed into said chip, and a means for transferring fluid among said reservoirs and the exterior of the chip;an area of the first surface between said reservoirs acting as a barrier between the reservoirs;an array of one or more channels recessed from the first surface into said barrier and connecting the reservoirsa first reflective surface on a portion of said channels furthest from the first surface, the chip adjacent to the channels being formed of a material transparent to said light emitted from the optical cavity;a cover for the channels having:
an inner surface in fluid tight contact with the first surface of the chip;a second reflective surface, wherein said first and second reflective surfaces define the limits of the optical cavity including the channels; andan analysis region in the optical cavity.